Greater Rome Times

Being a child in Georgia has become more difficult in the past year. The Kids Count Data Book survey of the well-being of children in the nation reveals that Georgia has dropped five places to rank 44th in the nation in children’s well-being when compared to other states. Last year Georgia placed 39th in the nation. This new data should serve as a catalyst for all Georgian’s to place additional needed focus on our State’s children.

Georgia scored far from even an average rating nationally and is failing its children in several key areas:

• Low Birth Weight Babies – the national average is 7.9 per 1000 versus Georgia: 9 per 1000.
• Infant Mortality – the national average is 6.9 per 1000 versus Georgia: 8.5 per 1000.
• Children Deaths – The national average is 21 per 100,000 versus Georgia: 23 per 100,000.
• Teenage Deaths – the national average is 66 per 100,000 versus Georgia: 74 per 100,000.
• Babies Born To Teenage Mothers – the national average is 4.2% versus Georgia: 5.3%.
• School Dropout Rates – the national average is 8% versus a whopping 12% for Georgia.
• Children in Families Where no Parent Has a Full Time Job – the national average is 33% versus Georgia: 35%.
• Children Living in Poverty – the national average is 18% versus Georgia: 21%.
• Children Raised by Single Parent – that national average is 31% versus Georgia: 35%.

The only areas where Georgia made improvements were infant mortality and babies born to teenage mothers though they still rank behind most other states.

These statistics are even more troubling to many, as Senator Gregg, (R-NH), chair of the Senate Budget Committee, announced mid-June his proposal to cut domestic spending. In this proposal, Gregg advises across-the-board cuts in mandatory spending such as Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance and Medicaid. These programs have already experienced recent cuts in their budgets; however, Senator Gregg plans to push his budget plan through the Senate Budget Committee and to the Senate floor in the next few weeks. It may be voted on this summer.

If passed, this plan would bring serious cuts to title IV-E Federal Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, and Medicaid – programs that provide essential services to millions of vulnerable children.

Concerns have risen that any reduction in allocations to Foster Care, Adoption Assistance and Medicaid could have serious implications to our nation's children, including -- and especially -- those in Georgia who are already at higher risk than most other states.

For further information about the FY 2007 Federal Budget, go to:

www.cwla.org/advocacy/budget.htm