FEDERAL BUDGET
Briefing Examines Economic Costs of Child Poverty
[From Child Welfare League of America, Children’s Monitor Online 7/13/09]
On July 7, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) cosponsored a briefing on the economic costs of child poverty. The briefing detailed the substantial economic costs associated with having over 13 million American children living in poverty.
Panelists from the Center for American Progress, First Focus, and the National Center for Children in Poverty presented data on poverty outcomes associated with a recession and shared knowledge of the effects of poverty on children and families. Recommendations included acknowledging the importance of sensible investments even in tough economic times; avoiding cutting and, instead, restoring programs for children who may be facing poverty due to a recession; and working to prevent children from coming into poverty in the first place.
On June 17, McDermott introduced HR 2909, the Measuring American Poverty Act of 2009. This bill would amend Title XI of the Social Security Act to provide for an improved method to measure poverty so as to enable a better assessment of the effects of programs under the Social Security Act. Dodd introduced similar legislation in the 110th Congress and reintroduction in the Senate is expected later this summer.
Related posts:
- FEDERAL POLICY – The Stimulus and Poverty:
- Capitol Hill Briefing on Every Child Deserves a Family Act
- Census to Redefine Poverty
- The John Burton Foundation is pleased to announce its 2009 Child Welfare Policy Briefing Series.
- Benefits and costs of intensive foster care services: Casey Family Programs compared to state services
