A report detailing the overall well-being of youth across racial and ethnic groups in the United States illustrated mixed marks and room for growth for Vermont.
Released periodically by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Kids Count Race for Results Index Report provides each state a single composite score by race and ethnicity, allowing comparisons of children’s progress on key milestones nationally and by state.
According to the report, “the index standardizes scores across 12 indicators that represent well-being milestones from cradle to career. The standard scores are converted to a scale ranging from 0 to 1,000 to facilitate comparisons and see differences across states and racial and ethnic groups.”
“It’s a handful of indicators meant to be a window into a broader picture of equity. As such, you need to take it as an invitation to ask more questions about what we're seeing in there, rather than a definitive, comprehensive score,” said Sarah Teel, research director for Voices for Vermont’s Children.
Voices for Vermont’s Children is a statewide, multi-issue child policy research and advocacy organization.
According to the report, Vermont received a score of 678 for overall well-being of Asian and Pacific Islander children, ranking 34th in the nation; a score of 626 for overall well-being of Black children, ranking second in the nation; a score of 723 for overall well-being of Hispanic/Latino children, ranking first in the nation; a score of 683 for overall well-being of white children, ranking 29th in the nation; and a score of 723 for overall well-being for children of two or more races, ranking fourth in the nation.
The data and ranking for the overall well-being of American Indian or Alaskan Native children was suppressed on account of small numbers.
“While Vermont may appear to excel on a number of indicators, the reality is that when it comes to meeting the needs of Black and Indigenous children, children of color, and children with the least access to economic resources, we are failing far too often,” Kit Harrington, communications director for Voices for Vermont’s Children, wrote in a news release on the report. “There is an urgent need to seriously address existing harm and fund the kind of equitable structures that are clearly needed to help make Vermont a more welcoming place for everyone.”
Harrington further highlighted in the release that the report revealed significant economic disparities, including that while 94% of white children live in low-poverty neighborhoods, only 73% of Black children, 75% of Asian and Pacific Islander children, and 85% of Hispanic/Latino children do. Conversely, while 55% of Black children live in households at or above 200% of the federal poverty level, 70% of white children do.
“(For) health outcomes, we know that the economic well-being of children and families does have a significant impact on outcomes for well-being. When we think about where we really want to focus our attention, that’s a really critical place to start — and I think that’s what the data is saying as well,” Harrington said Wednesday.
The report identified several strategies to reduce inequity and bolster children, including expanding federal and state child tax credits and earned income tax credits for low-income families; designing programs that help families provide for their child’s future while reducing racial disparities and expanding Medicaid, among other solutions.
In Vermont, Harrington said there are several key proposals and bills being discussed this legislative session that are worth paying attention to — such as H.448, an act relating to promoting racial and social equity in economic opportunity and cultural empowerment.
Harrington also noted the state treasurer introduced a proposal to implement baby bonds this year, and as of 2022, Vermont has also offered a state Child Tax Credit.
“It’s important to contextualize the excitement we’re feeling this session. There are a lot of bills right now we think have the potential to move (that) reflect real attention to some of the systemic imbalances highlighted in this report. I think what it shows overall is a broader shift toward creating the space for people to speak to their lived experiences, the impact of inequitable systems on their ability to raise their children and a desire to listen and learn from those experiences and think about how we translate those into public policy,” Harrington said.
Read the full report at aecf.org/resources/2024-race-for-results online.
