Youth Institute CEO: Indiana Has ‘A Long Way to Go’

Indiana Youth Institute CEO Tami Silverman says some numbers were on the rise

A national report on the well-being of children shows changes in Indiana in key categories. The 2016 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranks states on factors including economic well-being, education and health. Overall, Indiana placed 30th, up slightly from last year.

The Indiana Youth Institute broke down the numbers and Chief Executive Officer Tami Silverman says "it’s encouraging to see Indiana move up in the overall child well-being, education and child health rankings. When we see improvements in these key areas, it means there is hope for a brighter future for our youth, our state and all Hoosiers."

Hear more analysis from Silverman:

Poverty issues are still a struggle in Indiana. The data show the poverty rate has increased 22 percent for Hoosier kids since 2008 and currently stands at 22 percent. Since the recession, the number of children living in high poverty areas has also jumped 63 percent. Economic well-being of kids in the state is 24th, down slightly from last year and in the foundation’s family and community category, Indiana is now 32nd, off one place from 2014.

There were some improving positions for the state in the report, as well. Indiana now ranks 23rd for education, an increase of two places from 2015 and 31st for child health, up from 35th a year ago.

You can connect to the full data book by clicking here.