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In this edition:
National News
-- New 2007 Census Data on Poverty, Income, and Health Insurance
-- Bush Administration Backs off SCHIP regulations
-- Congress to Consider Increasing the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage
-- Online with Child Welfare League of America
MISSOURI NEWS
-- Celebrating Jackson County Children’s Division Accreditation
-- Save the Date: Step Up For Kids on Sept. 16th
-- MO Early Childhood Programs Receive State Grants to Expand Infant Care
IN THE NEWS: Media Coverage of Children’s Issues |
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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This week's issue, in brief:
On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2007 report for the nation revealing an increase in child poverty (bad) and a decline in uninsured children (good). Though Congress remains back in their home towns on recess, there has still been some discussion of action, and inaction, on health care issues. One year after the Bush Administration tried to restrict expansion of state children’s health programs without congressional approval, the administration still has not rescinded its harmful policy but they have at least decided not to enforce it, for now. Meanwhile, as 29 states face budget shortfalls in the coming year, Congress may consider a 2nd economic stimulus package to help states avoid cuts to vulnerable social service programs like Medicaid.
In Kansas City, child advocates have two upcoming events to look forward to: A celebration on September 9th in recognition of the Jackson County Children’s Division achieving national accreditation and a Rally on September 16th to Step Up For Kids and make children’s issues a priority this election year. 14 Missouri early childhood programs are also celebrating this month after being awarded state grants to expand child care slots for infant care. Finally, check out the upcoming shows of Online with Childwelfare League of America as well as our In the News section this week with some recent articles featuring Missouri candidates talking about children’s health coverage. |
NATIONAL NEWS
New 2007 Census Data on Poverty, Income, and Health Insurance
On Tuesday the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2007 report on income, poverty and health insurance coverage for the nation. Below are some key national data findings. At the time of this publication, PFC is still analyzing state level data from Kansas and Missouri.
Children in Poverty
The number of children living in poverty jumped by 500,000 to 13.3 million, and the child poverty rate climbed from 17.4 percent in 2006 to 18.0 percent in 2007.
Health Insurance Status
In 2007, the percentage and the number of children under 18 years old without health insurance (11.0 percent and 8.1 million) were lower than in 2006 (11.7 percent and 8.7 million). This is due in large part to an increase in children being covered by public health insurance programs. The percentage of children covered by government health insurance programs increased to 31.0 percent in 2007, from 29.8 percent in 2006. The percentage and the number of children covered by Medicaid increased to 28.1 percent (20.9 million) in 2007, up from 27.1 percent (20.1 million) in 2006. The percentage of children being covered by private health insurance and the percentage of children covered by employment-based health insurance were not significantly different from 2006.
Characteristics of Uninsured Children
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Children in poverty were more likely to be uninsured than the population of all children in 2007 — 17.6 percent compared with 11.0 percent.
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Children 12 to 17 years old had a higher uninsured rate than those under 12 years old — 12.0 percent compared with 10.4 percent.
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Of the 8.1 million children in poverty and without health insurance, 80.5 percent are living with incomes below 300 percent of their poverty threshold.
For more information, visit www.census.gov.
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Bush Administration Backs off SCHIP Regulations
Last week, the Centers on Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), stated the agency will not enforce a controversial State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) policy directive issued by the Bush Administration last August 17, 2007.
The administrative directive would make it next to impossible for state SCHIP programs that are already covering or desire to cover children in families who earn over 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) to do so. 250% of FPL is $53,000 for a family of four. Under the directive, states must prove they have enrolled at least 95% of their children below 200% FPL who are eligible for either SCHIP or Medicaid before expanding income eligibility to other children. The original August 17, 2007 directive, issued in the form of a letter to state health officials, said affected states had 12 months to amend their SCHIP state plans or they would face "corrective action" if they were found to not be in compliance. However, as of last week, it appears that CMS does not intend to enforce the directive at least in the short term.
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) stated, "Maybe CMS is beginning to get it," adding, "This statement seems to show that CMS is finally making the connection between its misguided ... directive and the real kids it could hurt." Sen. Rockefeller (D-WV) said that the "reality is the Bush administration should not be applauded because nothing has changed," adding that the "only appropriate response is for CMS to formally rescind" the directive. In addition, he said, "Through this directive they are still committed to denying children's access to health care."
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Congress Set to Debate Temporarily Increasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage
Congress is considering taking up a second economic stimulus package when it returns from recess in September. As of today, 29 states are facing a budget shortfall totaling $48 billion. This means states may be forced to make cuts to their Medicaid programs which provide invaluable services for vulnerable children and families.
As Congress debates this measure, they will consider temporarily increasing the federal Medicaid matching percentage (FMAP). For every dollar a state spends on Medicaid, the federal government contributes a matching amount. Increasing the FMAP has proven to be one of the most effective ways to stimulate the economy and it provides immediate relief to state and local economies.
For more information on this important strategy, check out a new Families USA fact sheet, “H.R. 5268: A Temporary FMAP Increase is Good Medicine for State Economies and Workers.” According to Families USA, Missouri would receive an additional $278 million dollars in support and Kansas would receive an additional $85 million dollars in support. This would generate business activity, jobs and wages, all of which will help stimulate the economy.
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Online with Child Welfare League of America
Each Wednesday from 1:00-1:30 (CST), the Child Welfare League of America hosts a live Internet radio program focusing on subjects, stories, and strategies of special interest to child welfare policymakers, providers, and practitioners. The broadcasts can be heard online at www.blogtalkradio.com/CWLA-Radio.
Wednesday, September 10, 1pm - Teen Depression and Suicide
Eighteen-year-old Jordan Burham, who had been battling depression for some time, jumped from the ninth floor of his family's apartment building in a suicide attempt 10 months ago. Miraculously, he survived. In May, he testified at a congressional briefing, urging Congress to help young people struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts.
Wednesday, September 17, 1pm - Nicholas Shanks
A homeless teen and the son of addicted parents, Nicholas Shanks graduated valedictorian of Philadelphia's Martin Luther King High School's 2008 Graduating Class. His story made headlines in the Philadelphia Daily News, and has been featured on ABC's "Good Morning America".
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MISSOURI NEWS
Celebrating Jackson County Children’s Division Accreditation!
In 2004, the state of Missouri set out to achieve national accreditation by the Council on Accreditation by August 28, 2009. The process for achieving accreditation includes a review process of 832 standards of compliance in adoption services, foster and kinship care services, child protection services, and family-centered casework, as well as organizational and management standards in general areas such as ethical practice, financial management, behavioral management, and organizational integrity. Missouri’s system is being reviewed and measured against nationally-recognized standards of best practice established by the Council on Accreditation.
On September 9th, 2008, the Children’s Place is hosting an open house celebration for the Jackson County Children’s Division successfully meeting the Council on Accreditation (COA) standards for child welfare best practice. Join us in celebrating this important accomplishment!
When: September 9, 2008
Where: Hillcrest Country Club
8200 Hillcrest Road
Kansas City, Missouri 64138
Time: 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (OpenHouse)
The formal presentation will begin at 3:00.
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SAVE THE DATE: Step Up for Kids Day Rally – September 16th!
Step Up for Kids Day is a non-partisan nationwide event sponsored by the Every Child Matters Education Fund (ECMEF) that will bring thousands of people together on September 16th, 2008 to show widespread public support for new state and federal investments in children and families.
Collectively, these events will call upon the presidential candidates and all candidates for federal, state, and local offices to present their plans for investing in America’s children and families. Since children can’t vote, their needs are often overlooked as campaign priorities.
Kansas City Step up for Kids Day Rally – Event Details
Child advocates in Kansas City are stepping up to join hundreds of other organizations across the country in organizing a local Step Up for Kids Day event on Sept. 16th. We hope you will join us!!
Where: Theis Park, Kansas City, MO (Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. & Oak St., south side of the Nelson Atkins Museum)
When: Tuesday, Sept. 16th, 5:30 – 7 PM
Lead Co-Sponsors: Partnership for Children, AARP-Missouri, CCO, Cornerstones of Care, The Family Conservancy, LINC, MORE2 and Operation Breakthrough.
What you can do:
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Attend the Step up for Kids Day Rally and bring your kids!
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Tell your friends, family members, colleagues, and other parents about the rally
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Bring items to donate to Kansas City children in need. Suggested items include: diapers, socks, underwear, white t-shirts, toothpaste, toothbrushes, & toilet paper
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Ask your organization to sign-on as a free co-sponsor of the Step up for Kids Day Rally
For more information, contact Carrie Shapton at 816/531.9200 ext 227 or shapton@pfc.org. Also, check out the Step Up for Kids Rally Page: http://action.voiceshub.org/pfc_kccan/stepupforkids.html
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MO Early Childhood Programs Receive State Grants to Expand Infant Care
The Governor’s office and the Missouri Department of Social Services recently announced that 14 additional early care & education programs will receive state grant funding this year to start up or expand child care services for children ages birth to 24 months.
Programs receiving grant funding must be licensed, begin the accreditation process, and agree to earmark 10 percent of their capacity for low-income children. The grants are awarded to providers for a three-year period. Since its inception in 1999, the program has provided more than $35 million in grant funding and has increased access to quality early childhood care for more than 6,000 children.
The $1.1 million available for grants this year comes from the Missouri Early Childhood Development, Education, & Care Fund, financed by admissions fees to Missouri’s gaming casinos. To view a list of programs awarded start up and expansion grants this year, go to http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/early/award/award_080108.htm.
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IN THE NEWS: Media Coverage of Children's Issues
Census: Fewer Americans lack health insurance
- CNN -
Participation in government health insurance programs -- particularly those aimed at children -- increased from 2006 to 2007, leading to a decrease in the number of Americans lacking insurance, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday. Read more >>>
Nixon Makes Health Care Key Campaign Issue
- Kansas City Star -
As unemployment rises, gas prices climb and the mortgage crisis deepens, Jay Nixon is betting that health care is the problem that Missouri’s next governor can actually address. Read more >>>
SCHIP Issue Splits 9th District Contest
- Columbia Tribune -
The two major candidates for the Ninth Congressional District seat have different opinions on a potential expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Read more >>>
Early Education, At-Risk Children Focus of Meeting (Topeka)
-Topeka Capital Journal-
Questions surrounding where and by whom at-risk pre-kindergarten children inside the Topeka Unified School District 501 are going to be educated were asked by about a dozen representatives of child care provider organizations during a meeting Monday night at the Burnett Administrative Center. Read more >>>
Rolla Judge Mary Sheffield appointed to state position
- The Rolla Daily News-
In an effort to investigate, assess and tackle the critical needs of young Missourians transitioning out of foster care, Gov. Matt Blunt recently appointed local Judge Mary Sheffield, of Rolla, to a newly formed, blue-ribbon task force. Read more >>>
Sincerely,
Emily Smith & Carrie Shapton
Partnership for Children
infopfc@pfc.org
816-531-9200
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