Connecticut ranks eighth nationally in child health and well-being, according to a report that evaluates states on 16 indicators, though advocates see cause for concern in the new data.
The report, part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s annual Kids Count Data Book, gives Connecticut strong marks in the categories of education and health but weaker grades in economic “well-being” and “family and community.”
While Connecticut had slightly fewer children living in poverty in 2023 than in 2019, the report says, it had more young children not in school, worse academic performance and more youth deaths than previously. Meanwhile, racial gaps persisted across most categories.
Several prominent advocacy groups pointed to the report as an example of what Connecticut does well — and where it could improve.
“Our consistent top-10 ranking is a testament to what’s possible when we invest in kids and working families,” Emily Byrne, executive director of Connecticut Voices for Children, said in a statement. “But progress is fragile.”
The Center for Children’s Advocacy, a Hartford-based non-profit, pointed to the number of children living in poverty and the racial disparities across many of the measures as signs Connecticut is falling short in certain ways.
“Because the United States overall does not adequately invest in children and families, CT can cling to a ranking of 8th, but that hides a painful reality for so many children in this state who need us to do so much more to support them,” the group said. “We can and we will do better.”
In response to the data, the Center for Children’s Advocacy called for greater investment in early childhood support, affordable housing, education and health care.
Here are some other takeaways from the report.
Generally, Connecticut grades out well
Connecticut ranks among the top half of states in three of the four categories the Casey Foundation uses to analyze child health and well-being, and just outside the top half in the fourth:
- 3rd nationally in education
- 5th in health
- 22nd in family and community
- 26th in economic well-being
All that adds up to an 8th-place ranking overall, trailing New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Utah, Minnesota, North Dakota and New Jersey. At the other end of the list, Mississippi, Louisiana and New Mexico made up the bottom three.
A deeper look at the report’s 16 indicators show Connecticut beats the national and regional average by most measures. For example, 13% of Connecticut children live in poverty, according to the report, compared to 15% across the Northeast and 16% nationally. Meanwhile, Connecticut recorded 17 deaths per 100,000 children and teens, compared to 20 across the Northeast and 29 nationally.
Connecticut also beats regional and national rates in categories including children living in high-poverty areas, teen birth rate, teens not in school and not working, students proficient in math and reading and more.
Some numbers heading in the wrong direction
In recent years, a group of advocates, researchers and lawmakers have pointed to what they describe as a crisis of “disconnected youth,” who are struggling in class or not engaged in school or work at all.
The Kids Count Data Book figures further support that idea, showing an increase in the number of teens not in school and not working. Meanwhile, about 40% of 3- and 4-year olds weren’t in school in 2023, up from 35% in 2019.
As has been the case nearly everywhere, student academic performance has worsened since before the COVID-19 pandemic, with both reading and math scores declining over the period the new report examines.
Though the Kids Count Data Book found Connecticut to improved slightly since 2019 when it comes to child poverty, other studies have found the opposite, noting recent increases in the number of Connecticut kids lacking basic necessities.
Overall, Connecticut has slipped since 2019 in eight of the Casey Foundation’s 16 indicators, improved in five of them and stayed the same in three.
Inequality persists across most categories
Often, Connecticut’s strong statewide marks in wealth, income and education mask deep inequality, as some regions of the state excel while others struggle deeply.
Accordingly, even in categories where Connecticut grades out well in the Kids Count Data Book data, a deeper look reveals sharp racial disparities.
Hispanic kids are far more likely than white kids to live in families facing a high housing cost burden or have parents who lack secure employment. Black and Hispanic students lag white students in math and reading scores, are less likely to have health insurance and die more frequently at young ages.
In maybe the most dramatic example, only 6% of non-Hispanic white children live in poverty, compared to 26% of Black children and 26% of Hispanic children.
The Center for Children’s Advocacy cited the latter figure as one of several in the new data is described as “egregious.”
