Gains for Wisconsin's children not shared equally

A recent report ranked Wisconsin 12th in the country for children's overall well-being, but that positive outlook may not extend to the state's children of color.

The Kids Count Data Book [1], produced by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, measures children's educational, economic and social well-being through information taken from the U.S. Census and other sources.

The report indicates that the gradual economic recovery has improved conditions for children in Wisconsin overall -- the state went up three spots on overall child well-being from a year ago. But the overall improvement may mask challenges many children, and especially children of color, are facing, said Ken Taylor, executive director of Wisconsin Council on Children and Families.

"We don't even know we have a problem as a state" said Taylor. "We don't know that we're an outlier."

Taylor said that Wisconsin is amongst the worst five states in terms of racial disparities in a series of areas. Black children in Wisconsin are 4.5 times more likely than white children to live in foster care. He added that in areas like unemployment, healthy birth outcomes, educational achievement gap and juvenile justice, they fare no better.

And, while African-Americans and Hispanics comprise 6 percent and 4 percent of Wisconsin's total population respectively, the groups are disproportionately represented in the poverty numbers.

The report indicates that in 2013, 49 percent of African American and 35 percent of Hispanic children in Wisconsin are living in poverty compared to 12 percent of white children.

In Dane County, the wider issue of racial disparities has surfaced through the ongoing, and often heated, debate about how to best address the achievement gap in education between black and white students.

According to Madison school district data, roughly 90 percent of white students have graduated on time from the district between 2009 and 2012, while 60 percent of black students graduated within four years.

While poverty and graduation disparities may share similar roots, pinpointing -- and directly addressing -- the causes of the imbalances proves elusive, said Taylor.

"It is erroneous to suggest there is a cause-and-effect correlation between poverty and race," he said."It's much more complex than that, and if we try to simplify it down to that, then we aren't going to be painting the whole picture."

Taylor said he prefers to couch the conversation about the sources of racial disparities and poverty in terms "influencing factors" -- such as the unemployment rate, family wealth or educational achievement -- that combine to create disadvantages.

The picture is not gloomy across the board, however. All children in Wisconsin, have some of the best health indicators in the nation, as measured by such factors as sound nutrition and adequate preventative health care.

Taylor credits the positive trend in healthcare to the investments the state has made through programs Badgercare. But, he notes, recent threats to Badgercare may undo the state's progress.

The 2013-15 state budget, signed by Gov. Scott Walker on June 30, changes the criteria for those eligible for the program, bumping out families living slightly higher on the low-income scale. According to the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families [2], this could potentially deny 29,000 children access to Badgercare.

"Education and the healthcare bore the brunt of the cuts," said Taylor. "How much longer will we be a top tier state when we make these cuts?"

Taylor said that the key to addressing racial gaps in child well being starts with making people aware that the problem even exists. In addition to increased awareness, Taylor contends that investing in kids must be a priority.

"The problem reflects on all of us," he said. "It's not a 'them' thing. It's an 'us' thing. We all have a role in addressing this thing and working together across the divides."

In the end, Taylor said that Wisconsin is a good place for kids but he wants it to be better.

"While it's a good place for kids and family" said Taylor. "It's not (good) for all kids and families and our vision is a state where every child can grow up in a just and nurturing family and community."