LOUISVILLE, Ky. — New data shows what children's well-being is like in the commonwealth.

The Kentucky Youth Advocates 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book was released Wednesday.

The book said over a million children saw improvements in 11 of 16 child well-being indicators.

What You Need To Know

  • KIDS COUNT tracks the well-being of children in Kentucky

  • Data found child poverty improved in Kentucky

  • There is a greater percentage of children of color living in poverty than white children

  • The Kentucky Youth Advocates is recommending lawmakers take action to improve children's well-being

Overall, child poverty improved in most of Kentucky’s 120 counties, but many children are still in need.

“The idea that we have 120,000 kids who woke up this morning in deep poverty, one out of five kids in Kentucky. I think that’s an astounding data point that really demands action,” said Terry Brooks, Executive Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates.

Another one in five of youth are living in food insecure households.

“That is a growing trend. Again, it is not a rural issue or an urban issue, it is a Commonwealth issue,” Brooks said.

The Kentucky Youth Advocates also measure how many people 19 and under have health insurance. The data shows the number of children with coverage is declining, with 90 counties having worse rates.

“Our overall number actually appears really good, 96%, but what we’ve seen over the past five years is a gradual decline. That’s especially profound in certain regions of the state,” the executive director said.

The children affected the most by the issues are children of color, according to the data. The KIDS COUNT Data shows 20% more of Black youth and 10% more of Latinx youth are in poverty compared to white youth.

“Disparities, whether it comes to health access or economic well-being, have a lot to do with race and in many ways, they also have a lot to do with zip codes,” he said.

The Kentucky Youth Advocates is recommending lawmakers in Frankfort take action in a number of areas to help lift children out of economic insecurities.

“We know there are proven tax ideas on the table, such as a refundable earned income tax credit, that is not a budget buster, it actually puts money on the table for working low-income families,” Brooks said.

The data shows changes in education as well.

Kindergarteners who met ready to learn standards decreased last school year by over 3% from the 2018-2019 school year.

But, the number of Kentucky high school students graduating on time increased by just over 1.5%

This is the KYA’s 34th edition of the book.

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