Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, July 26, 2012
(TERRE HAUTE) - A new study shows Indiana is in the bottom half of states for the overall well being of children. Local experts say a lot of it may have to do with the economy.
Matt Gregory, of WTHI TV, reports we hear it often children are our future and it's true. Their innocent faces will replace our generation as we get older.
But according to the 2012 Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Indiana is not doing well compared to other states in providing for that future.
To give you some perspective, for every five kids in Indiana, according to the study one of those children lives in a state of poverty.
It's a five percent increase from the last time the study was done in 2005 and looking at some of the numbers it's easy to see why.
From 2008 to 2010, the number of children living in homes with unsecure employment rose from 27 percent to 33 percent.
We spoke with John Etling of Catholic Charities and he says from what he has seen it's a direct link to the economy.
"You know certainly the unemployment rate has been stagnant for several years. I think a lot of people are losing hope if they haven't already," Etling said.
While this report isn't good, Etling says things can be done to change this. Groups like united way catholic charities and many others are making an impact locally.
"You want to make a connection if you can, and provide that support and if its food, if its shelter, if its clothing, in a lot of cases it may be utility assistance or rental assistance," Etling explained.
Hoping their efforts reflect in a better future for Hoosier children.
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