What’s it like to be a kid in MIchigan?

The 44-page Kids County in Michigan report, released April 23, 2019, reviews background and trend data and evaluates the well-being of children throughout counties in Michigan. Using this data, policy strategies are identified that could improve outcomes and help children reach their full potential.

The report does this by analyzing 16 key indicators across four domains:

  1. Economic security
  2. Health and safety
  3. Family and community
  4. Education.

Monroe County is among the top ranked counties, falling in at #14. This ranking is based on 14 of the 16 measures. The county falls below 17% for Child Poverty rates, however between 45 and 55 percent of Monroe county third-graders in are not proficient in English Language Arts. According to the report, most counties show at least 50% of third-graders are not proficient in reading.

To read the full report, published by and housed at the Michigan League for Public Policy, visit this link https://mlpp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2019-kcdb-master-1.pdf 

The MLPP is a research and advocacy organization. According to their website, they are a nonpartisan policy institute dedicated to economic opportunity for all. Their mission promotes “racial equity, economic security, health and well-being for all people in Michigan through policy change.”