COMMENTARY
11
Assistance for Children Take SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, as an example. Young children ages 0-8 in Nebraska comprise almost a third of SNAP participants (see Table 1.1 for age breakdown).22 Not only does SNAP improve access to nutritional food, it is an effective tool toward overcoming poverty. In 2010, SNAP moved 13% of participating households in the United States above the poverty line.23 The program Aid to Dependent Children (ADC), known as the state’s cash welfare program, assisted a monthly average of 13,255 children ages 0 to 8 in 2010.24 Unfortunately,
Figure 1.1: Distribution of Population Growth in Nebraska by Race and Ethnicity (2000-2010) White, NH (4.6%)
the number of children served fell far short of the number of
Black, NH (11.7%)
children in need. Based on Voices for Children in Nebraska’s
American Indian, NH (1.2%)
calculations, about 44,720 children ages 0 to 8 were in
Asian or Pacific Islander, NH (9.2%)
poverty in 2010.25 This age group represented 50% of ADC’s
Other or 2+ Races, NH (10.0%)
participants. See Table 1.1. 26
Hispanic (63.4%)
Child care is one of the largest expenses many Nebraska families have. Depending on region and family composition, costs for child care can rise to as much as onethird to one-half of a family’s budget.27 Nonetheless, it’s a
Source: State and Local Population Counts and Trends: Focus on 2010 Data,” Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR), University of Nebraska Omaha. * NH indicates Non Hispanic.
critical component for families striving to keep afloat financially and to participate fully in the workforce. Despite the toll child care places on working families, Nebraska’s eligibility cutoff for assistance amounted to 120% of the poverty level in 2011,
Table 1.1: Nebraska Children in Poverty vs. Program Participation (2010)
struggling families with no help in ensuring their children are
Estimated Head Start Total Children in & Early Age Children Poverty* ADC SNAP Head Start
safely cared for while they were at work.28 Further, Nebraska
<1
26,082
4,956
2,074
5,741
599
reimburses child-care providers less than the 75th percentile
1
26,275
4,992
1,731
6,368
413
of market rates, the guideline per federal recommendations.
2
26,674
5,068
1,749
6,565
442
When rates are low, child-care providers may be less likely
3
26,549
5,044
1,586
6,467
1,956
to accept low-income children into care. In addition, quality
4
26,328
5,002
1,461
5,869
3,111
of care may suffer because reimbursement rates “affect the
5
26,207
4,979
1,410
5,702
––––
resources child care providers have to sustain their busi-
6
26,172
4,973
1,180
5,342
––––
nesses, offer sufficient salaries to attract and retain qualified
7
25,557
4,860
1,059
4,934
––––
staff, maintain low child-staff ratios, afford facilities, and
8
25,506
4,846
1,005
4,604
––––
purchase materials and supplies for activities that promote
Total 235,370
44,720
13,255 51,592
6,521
children’s learning.”29
Sources: Total children, 2010 Census SF1 (QT-P2); ADC and SNAP, DHHS; Head Start & Early Head Start, Nebraska Department of Education.
or just over $22,000 for a family of three – leaving many
Although budgets for assistance programs are strapped
* Based on 19% poverty rate for children ages 0-5 in 2010.