MINNESOTA KIDS COUNT 2020:

Building Bridges to
Economic Stability for
Children and Families
Minnesota KIDS COUNT is a Project of CDF-MN STAFF
Bharti Wahi Letter from CDF-MN
Children’s Defense Fund–Minnesota Executive Director
Jennifer Bertram
KIDS COUNT Coordinator
ABOUT CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND THE CHALLENGES THAT MANY FAMILIES FACE to provide the basic necessities for their children can be difficult
Elaine Cunningham
The Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Leave No Child Behind® mission is to Outreach Director in a typical year, but 2020 has been anything but typical. From a global pandemic leading to unemployment rates higher
ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Debra Fitzpatrick than we saw during the Great Depression and widespread protests for racial justice following the murder of George
Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring Policy and Legislative Affairs Director
Floyd to the decennial Census and a presidential election, this year’s events have had – and will continue to have – an
families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective, and independent Nicole Hernandez
Youth Development Director incredible impact on the wellbeing of children. The obstacles in 2020 facing families with complications due to COVID-19
voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for
Yvonne Lerew run deeper than obstacles faced in previous years, but they also exemplify what many families constantly face as they
themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor children, children Development Director
of color, and children with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the aim to raise children in increasingly divided communities – separating families who have sufficient income to provide
May Losloso
needs of children and encourages preventive investments before they get Community Engagement Director for the needs of their children from those who have been pushed to the brink by falling wages and rising costs of living.
sick, drop out of school, get into trouble, or suffer family breakdown. CDF Alisha Porter
Finance and Operations Director In this moment of heightened uncertainty and transition, Children’s Defense Fund – Minnesota (CDF-MN) thinks of this
began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by individual
Natletha Sumo work as being that of building a bridge to support the needs of all children. Building a bridge requires an understanding
donations, foundation, corporate and government grants.
Outreach Coordinator of where you have been and where you want to go. It requires a team and large-scale coordination to ensure the bridge
Bridget Walde
WHAT IS KIDS COUNT? Youth Programs Associate
is strong and allows people to cross in order to reach the destination they have in mind. We have the opportunity
KIDS COUNT, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is a national and Elizabeth Zalanga to build bridges and continue to work to advance a set of policies and programs that address the challenges facing
state-by-state effort to track the status of children in the U.S. By providing Communications and Policy Assistant children throughout Minnesota. Temporary changes to eligibility for work support programs and unemployment
policymakers and community members with benchmarks of child wellbeing, insurance along with a halt of evictions in response to high unemployment from the COVID-19 pandemic have shown
KIDS COUNT seeks to enrich local, state, and national discussions concerning ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS us we can approach this work with greater flexibility to address the financial challenges facing Minnesota families in the
ways to secure better futures for all children. Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota
thanks the following individuals for their short-term. It has also demonstrated that we can challenge the mental models based on class and racial stereotypes
As the Minnesota KIDS COUNT grantee, Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota help in providing data and assistance. that have informed the structure of public supports to families.
(CDF-MN) releases periodic reports and an annual data book regarding the Angie Bowman
wellbeing of children and families in Minnesota. We thank the Annie E. Casey Child Care Aware of Minnesota Minnesota’s children consistently achieve high rankings on many indicators of child wellbeing, with the 2020 KIDS
Foundation for its support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions Joseph Curiel and Cat Tamminga COUNT Data Book published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) ranking Minnesota third in the country.1 The
Minnesota Department of Education
presented in this book are those of CDF-MN alone, and do not necessarily index of data indicators used by AECF focuses on education, health, family, and economic outcomes to understand
Joni Geppert, Genelle Lamont, Miriam
represent the opinions of the Foundation. Any or all portions of this data book Muscoplat, and Judy Palermo children’s wellbeing across the country. Minnesota’s ranking reveals a strong commitment to investing in children and
may be reproduced without prior permission, provided the source is cited. Minnesota Department of Health families, but masks the sharp disparate outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and children of color. These disparities are the
Questions about the contents of this book may be directed to Jennifer Ray Kurth-Nelson, Jon Pedersen, Dorina
result of patterns of policies and practices rooted in our state systems that perpetuate implicit bias and racial inequities;
Nicolla, and Mark Besser
Bertram at jbertram@childrensdefense.org or 651-855-1172.
Minnesota Department of Human Services they fail to adequately provide all children with the support they need to thrive. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Anna Marie Trester
Frameworks Institute While we continue to struggle with the impacts of the pandemic, the economic crisis, and the need for racial justice,
Paula Diamond there is an opportunity to reimagine a different way of supporting families. We are called in this moment to the hard
CDF-MN Intern work of redesigning our systems around things that really matter to our communities – economic stability, equitable
Table of Contents 2020 MINNESOTA KIDS COUNT and just systems and supports, and healthy people. We have the chance to re-write the social contract to ensure a more
ADVISORY COMMITTEE inclusive, more economically secure, and more just state for all Minnesota children.
Letter from CDF-MN  3 Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota
thanks the following individuals for We know that when families are in a stronger financial position to pay for housing, health care, and nutritious food, and
Introduction  4 providing their expertise and suggestions
have access to quality child care and education, children do better on every dimension of child wellbeing. The children
COVID Relief  7 for the Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book.
Abimael Chavez-Hernandez and families who were already struggling are needing even greater public and private support for shelter, nutritious
Economic Stability Indicator  8
Minnesota Budget Project food, and educational support than we’ve seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 will only widen
CRITICAL AREAS OF CHILDHOOD NEEDS Megan Dayton
the gap if children’s needs go unmet and our public investment must focus on supporting families and strengthening
Minnesota Demography Center
Economic Stability  10 Deborah Schlick communities.
Health  14 Minnesota Department of Human Services
We have the opportunity to work with the new Biden/Harris administration during this public health and economic crisis
Jessica Webster
Child Welfare  16 Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid to fight for racial justice, with economic stability at the center. We must step up to address these highly preventable
Early Childhood Education  17 KaYing Yang societal problems, advancing solutions grounded in community voice to address the immediate crises as well as the
Coalition of Asian American Leaders
K-12 Education  18 historic inequities faced by Black, brown, and Indigenous families, and the intractable nature of child poverty. Poverty
is a problem that touches all of us. It is the responsibility of every Minnesotan to create the state we want to live in, and
DATA
Layout and design by Lauren Zuercher we must ensure that no child lives in poverty by holding our elected officials accountable to build the bridge that will
State-Level Data Tables  20
Cover Photo by Zach Lucero, Unsplash improve equitable access to resources that invest in the future generation of Minnesota’s leaders.
Technical Notes  25 Editing by Beth Thibodeau
Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota, November 2020
Endnotes  27 Printing by Concord Printing, St. Paul
2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 3
Introduction CHILD POPULATION BY RACE
AND AGE GROUP, 2010 AND 2018
Source: Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau.

ASIAN AND BLACK OR

WHEN CHILDREN’S BASIC NEEDS ARE MET UI coverage, or other public benefits, causing greater WORK SUPPORT PROGRAMS AMERICAN
INDIAN
PACIFIC AFRICAN
ISLANDER AMERICAN
AND THEY HAVE ACCESS to equitable opportunities demand for private food shelves and other support for basic The United States uses a variety of government policies to provide
HISPANIC NON-HISPANIC TWO OR
that help them learn and thrive, communities benefit needs.3 Even families who have been able to access these support for families in lower income households to build assets and OR LATINO WHITE MORE RACES

from a generation of individuals who are healthy, well- benefits found a one-time cash payment or extra UI benefits achieve economic security. Work support programs such as Medicaid,
educated, and prepared for careers that contribute to a that have now expired to be insufficient: Many families are SNAP, Energy Assistance, School Nutrition Programs, and Special
1%
thriving economy. Access to high-quality child care and stretched thin and have had to make difficult employment Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
5% 6%
education including afterschool and summer learning choices when faced with additional child care needs, (WIC) were created with the intent to help low-wage workers meet AGE
programs for every child are essential steps toward healthy limited access to school meals, and loss of health coverage. their basic needs because federal and state policymakers recognized 0-4 1% 10%
development that leads to a generation that thrives. COVID-19 has spurred a conversation about what children that low-wage jobs did not pay enough for families to afford what they 6% 6%
and families need to be economically stable, and the role of 8%
Supporting workers in earning a living wage and having need to raise healthy children.
9%
access to paid time off, affordable health care, and other public systems to provide basic needs. 10%
At some point in nearly every American’s life – and now more than 2010
benefits enables families to meet basic needs and work
WHAT IS ECONOMIC STABILITY? ever – we are seeing how support from public programs can make 69%
toward their own family’s economic stability.
Economic stability is categorized primarily by economic a difference. We know that public assistance programs help low- 2018

The consequence of historic and structural inequities is that conditions and considerations relating to family income, income families afford basic living expenses while giving children
68%
there are barriers for many of our children, especially Black the ability to afford basic needs, and family assets, among a the resources and opportunities that they need to grow. And in turn,
and Indigenous children, children of color, and children multitude of other factors. Stark and painful disparities exist children whose families receive support from these programs are more
living in lower income households. Not only do they face between characteristics unrelated to the economy, like race. likely to perform better in school and have increased future earning
challenges in the form of lack of access to support that In particular, Black, Indigenous, and children of color as well power.8 However, due to inadequate funding, barriers to participation,
addresses basic needs, these programs are not grounded as children in single-parent families experience exceptionally and lack of awareness, many families who are eligible for work support
in cultural responsiveness or resourced equitably. In order to high rates of economic instability. In Minnesota, as is true programs are not enrolled in the programs for which they’re eligible.
effectively prepare for the challenges that the 21st century across the nation, these disparate economic outcomes are With proper investment and administration, work support programs 1%
will present, we need to equip families with the resources influenced by institutions and systems that have historically can help families with lower income achieve economic stability. 5% 6%
necessary to prepare our future problem solvers using AGE
privileged some groups over others.4 5-11 10%
flexible, innovative policies and programs that can adapt to 1%
Poverty is defined by the U.S. Census Bureau using
RACIAL GROUPS AND POVERTY RATES, 2017 5% 5%
Minnesota’s dynamic population and changing needs and Source: Integrated Public Use Microdata Series from the U.S. Census Bureau, American 7%
Poverty Thresholds that are determined by family Community Survey, Five-year estimates 2013-2017. Analysis by Minnesota Compass.
move the entire state forward. 8% 9%
income, family size, and the number of related children
% UNDER 18 % CHILDREN
COVID-19 CHALLENGES FACING FAMILIES under age 18. The poverty threshold in 2019 for a family ASIAN UNDER 18 TOTAL 2010
IN POVERTY
AND CHILDREN 73%
of four with two children was $25,750. 5 Though the Burmese 4,436 11,145 39.8% 58.3%
2018
The global pandemic brought about by COVID-19 has shed thresholds are widely accepted as the official line between Hmong 32,678 81,996 39.9% 28.7%
light on the economic challenges families face when their Americans who statistically live in poverty and those who 67%
employment suddenly ends. However, economic stability Laotian 6,202 17,845 34.8% 14.2%
don’t, it’s also widely accepted that the measure is not
has long been out of reach for many families, particularly representative of current living expenses and household Filipino 6,729 21,181 31.8% 11.4%
Black, Indigenous, and families of color. In 2019, nearly needs.6 The initial poverty thresholds were calculated by Korean 8,993 26,570 33.8% 7.5%
12% of children in Minnesota were living in poverty, 2 with multiplying household food costs by three. Since 1964, the
Vietnamese 9,502 33,486 28.4% 6.5%
children of color and Black and Indigenous children and only adjustments made to the poverty thresholds have
families experiencing much higher rates of poverty, with Indian 13,537 51,462 26.3% 6.2%
been annual adjustments for inflation. This basic update
1%
little change since the Great Recession over a decade ago. does not account for family necessities today, including Chinese 10,368 36,671 28.3% 5.7%
With high unemployment due to the economic downturn 5% 6%
reliable Internet connection, computers, and mobile BLACK AGE
during the pandemic, many more children are living in phones. These needs have been especially apparent 12-17 9%
Somali 31,986 65,379 48.9% 56.7% 3% 1%
households that must access public benefits to meet during the COVID-19 pandemic, with children and adults 5%
Ethiopian 13,774 29,556 46.6% 38.7% 7%
basic needs and provide children with a foundation for requiring devices and connectivity to access school and 6% 9%
wellbeing that includes food, housing, and health care. work. Additionally, the thresholds are not adjusted by African American 83,398 230,338 36.2% 31.7%
2010
In response to pandemic-related economic hardship for region, so the same dollar amounts apply for families LATINO
77%
families, federal relief packages were implemented to in the 48 contiguous states despite drastic regional
Mexican 87,666 206,890 42.4% 31.4% 2018
expand access to Unemployment Insurance (UI), SNAP, differences in the cost of living. Researchers who have
used an adjusted inflation index more representative of Puerto Rican 5,531 15,214 36.4% 26.5% 70%
health care, and other benefits to help offset the impact
of COVID-19 job losses. However, many families have been families’ needs found that an additional 3.2 million people Ecuadorian 3,849 9,603 40.1% 20.8%
unable to access the financial relief from the one-time $1,200 would have been classified as living in poverty in 2018 than Guatemalan 4,824 10,712 45.0% 15.1%
payment (with an additional $500 per child), the expanded what was reflected in official poverty figures.7
WHITE 902,861 4,434,531 20.4% 8.2%

4 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 5
 COVID Relief
POVERTY MEASURES FOR A TWO-ADULT,
BRIDGE TWO-CHILD FAMILY, 2008–18
BUILDER Sources: Analysis by The Century Foundation. OPM: U.S. Census Bureau; SPM: U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics. CPM calculated using Median Equivalized Income figures for United States from Inequality
and Poverty Key Figures, The Luxembourg Income Study. Sources: Analysis by The Century Foundation.
OPM: U.S. Census Bureau; SPM: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. CPM calculated using Median Equivalized
Income figures for United States from Inequality and Poverty Key Figures, The Luxembourg Income Study.
Family Assets for WHILE THE STATE’S COVID RESPONSE was fueled by the
federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and
• $6 million educator and school staff COVID-19 saliva testing.

Independence in $60,000 200% OF OPM SUPPLEMENTAL POVERTY

MEASURE FOR RENTERS the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,
CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
(CCDBG) PROGRAM
Minnesota CONVENTIONAL
POVERTY MEASURE
OFFICIAL POVERTY
MEASURE
Minnesota government demonstrated an ability to be creative
and flexible and act swiftly when necessary to support working
Minnesota’s $48.1 million in additional CCDBG funding,
allocated by the CARES Act, has been allocated for:
families. Minnesota stands out among states by:
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity $50,000 • dedicating a significant portion of flexible federal funding to • grants for child care providers to remain open through
Agency (AEOA) strengthens help children and families; additional funding for the Peacetime Emergency Child
communities by providing Care Grants ($10 million for June Round and $1.4 million for
• prioritizing equity through tracking, transparency, and
grants to eligible providers affected by a grant application
opportunities for people mitigation efforts, and;
processing error in Round 1, April 2020);
experiencing social and economic $40,000 • distributing federal funding to families and communities
• additional resources for the Child Care Assistance Program
quickly.
challenges. The Family Assets for (CCAP) including program flexibilities ($4.9 million),
The federal funding was distributed by: additional support for school-age care during remote
Independence in Minnesota (FAIM)
• redesigning state systems to adapt to current needs; learning ($6.4 million), and increased reimbursements to
program provides a chance at a
$30,000 • maximizing flexibility in public benefits to keep resources providers ($20.5 million), and;
brighter future by helping low-wage flowing to families and ease participation and application • grants to support Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) care
earners build assets through the burdens, and; providers (up to $1 million).
purchase of a home, pursuit of a • distributing resources to child care providers and others
through public-private partnerships. EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUNDS
higher education, or capitalization $20,000 Minnesota received $140.1 million in total Elementary and
of a small business. FAIM provides 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT Secondary Student Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. These
subsidies through matching grants This provided paid sick leave or expanded family and medical funds are divided into two streams – a formula-based allocation
leave related to COVID-19 (including caring for children out of and state-directed grants. $126.1 million was allocated directly to
and requires account holders to school and child care) and created an important precedent for a districts and charter schools based on Title 1 allocations for local
attend financial literacy and asset- SUMMER NUTRITION PARTICIPATION COMPARED TO federal paid leave requirement. COVID needs.
specific education classes. These SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, 2018–19*
* Average daily participation Source: FRAC Summer Nutrition Status Report 2020. https://frac.org/wp- CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC Minnesota Department of Education received $14 million, of
courses provide learners with content/uploads/FRAC-Summer-Nutrition-Report-2020.pdf. SECURITY ACT which up to $700,686 is for administration, to support districts
information on income, savings, The Coronavirus Relief Fund, established by the CARES Act, and charter schools in their emergency needs for programming
2017-18 2018-19 provided $2.187 billion to Minnesota to support emergency for summer school, supporting mental health, and meeting the
spending, debt reduction, and
response through December 31, 2020. A portion of the total was needs of historically underserved populations.
credit repair. Learners are also SCHOOL Change in
268,450 261,705 summer allocated to local units of government and the administration Minnesota received $43.4 million in Governor’s Emergency
taught to set up a spending plan, LUNCH
nutrition: allocated an additional $837,547,591 to 85 counties and 1,521 Education Relief (GEER) funds that the administration
identify spending habits, and create
+3.6%
SUMMER cities and townships.9 The administration prioritized the state prioritized for technology devices and internet access to meet
46,437 48,112
money goals. NUTRITION portion of these funds to support Minnesota children and student learning needs, improve teacher-to-student ratios
families in many ways. Examples include: for summer school, provide community grants for wrap-
Eligible participants can place up to • $109.9 million for monthly payments (July-December) to around services to children ages 0-8, and for higher education
$40 per month from their earned licensed and certified child care providers that are operating grants, including grants to tribal colleges and grants to public
income into a family asset account, and serving children to support increased costs associated and private institutions with a focus on equity in education
STIMULUS PAYMENT USAGE IN MINNESOTA with implementing public health guidance; and technology and remote learning needs for underserved
which is matched 3:1 for two years. FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN students.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, Week 9.
• $100 million to create the COVID-19 Housing Assistance
To be eligible, the household must Program10 to support eligible households in meeting
have an adjusted gross income 206,336 past due housing costs to help prevent eviction and
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI)
NOT RECEIVED 8,474 Temporary enhancements to UI included a $600 per week
equal to or less than 200% of the DID NOT REPORT homelessness and maintain housing stability;
increase and expanded coverage to part-time, self-employed,
federal poverty line and assets of • $77 million for emergency food needs for children and
and gig economy workers that helped support 884,000
families, including support for food banks and shelves, tribal
$10,000 or less. These asset-building Minnesotans since March. Twenty-one percent of Minnesotans
food assistance, Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefits
opportunities not only serve as a with children in their household applied for and received UI
Transfer (P-EBT food support), and grants to expand meal
(compared to 14% of those without children in their household).12
safety net for challenging times but 177,697 access and create community nutrition hubs in schools;
ADD TO
can help people successfully move SAVINGS • $3 million for school-linked mental health and behavioral ONE-TIME CASH PAYMENTS
health providers serving children and families, and; Payments of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child were distributed
out of poverty and confidently
• $8 million in short-term grant funding for youth/young directly to low- and middle-income earners and their families.
begin to live a life of prosperity. 745,130 adult services, youth violence intervention, and crime victim
EXPENSES
AEOA offers the FAIM program in services.11
These supports and others kept many Minnesota
Cook, Lake, Itasca, Koochiching, $256 million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund was allocated for families from falling into economic insecurity, but many
and St. Louis counties. For more Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan implementation. That money have already ended or will as of December 2020. As of
233,004 was allocated as follows:
information, visit www.aeoa.org. PAY OFF DEBT publication, subsequent proposals to continue or expand
• $244.8 million for district and charter school operating costs on these federally funded supports for children and families
and supporting student, family, and educator needs; are being considered.
• $5.2 million for supplies for schools, and;
6 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 7
Economic Stability Indicator LOW INCOME FAMILY SCENARIO
FAMILY OF THREE: one parent, two
children (ages 3 and 9) at $20,800
yearly (minimum wage)
THE ECONOMIC STABILITY INDICATOR (ESI) BENEFIT CLIFF EFFECT LACK OF FUNDING
is a web-based tool developed by Children’s Defense To illustrate the family situation below
Most often the single greatest barrier to self-sufficiency Many of the public work support programs, including Medical left, ESI uses a bare bones basic needs
Fund-Minnesota to illustrate the interactions between for low-income individuals is the “cliff effect.” Benefit Assistance and SNAP, are federal entitlement programs, which budget that was created to reflect the
wages, tax credits, and public work support programs in cliffs refer to the loss of work support program benefits means that if the family meets the eligibility criteria, they are spending habits of low-income families
improving the economic stability of low-income families. as family income increases. Because eligibility for work able to enroll. Some programs, like Child Care Assistance, and is adjusted for family size, children’s
ESI can be used to demonstrate the gap that exists support programs is based on income, as families earn Section 8 Housing, and Energy Assistance, are federal grant ages, and county of residence. This is
between low wages and a basic needs budget and the more money, their benefit amount generally phases out programs, meaning that Minnesota receives a finite amount of not a cost of living budget or an average
role public programs and tax credits play in filling that until they reach the maximum income level, at which funding that may not be sufficient to enroll all who are eligible, expense budget for Minnesota families,
gap. The goals of the ESI are to: point they lose the benefit altogether. Eligibility for many resulting in waiting lists. With limited funds, many families are but rather a budget that covers the
• Educate policymakers and legislators on how current of these programs have similar income thresholds. SNAP, unable to access benefits that would enable them to achieve basic necessities for a safe standard of
and proposed legislation create cliff effects and other MinnesotaCare, and School Meals all phase out before economic stability. As of August 2020, there were 1,328 families living (housing, health care, child care,
barriers. 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), while both on the CCAP waitlist statewide and about 45,000 families on food, transportation, and miscellaneous
• Demonstrate how work support programs and tax Child Care Assistance and Medical Assistance phase the waitlist for housing assistance programs. Some families expenses for clothing and other
credits can work together to fill the gap and make out between 250 and 275% of FPG. Often the increased remain on waitlists for many years, struggling to fill the gap household necessities). This budget
work pay for low-income families. income a family receives by accepting a new job, getting between wages and these two important basic needs. Without does not include expenses common to
• Illustrate the difficult decisions low-income families a raise, or increasing their hours doesn’t offset the loss access to affordable child care and housing, parents are forced middle class families, such as cell phones,
must make to make ends meet. of public program benefits, especially when multiple to make difficult decisions such as changing or giving up jobs, internet service, or entertainment
• Educate families about wage and program programs end at similar income levels, leaving the staying home with young children, and moving. expenses.
interaction so they can make informed choices about family worse off financially than they were at the lower
employment and program use and also pinpoint earned income level. This problem creates a one step If enrolled in all the work support
savings opportunities. forward, two steps back effect for families that prevents BUDGET programs for which they are eligible, this
BASIC NEEDS PUBLIC AFTER PUBLIC family’s basic needs budget of $3,901 is
There are many factors that prevent public work support movement toward economic stability and stalls the MONTHLY BUDGET SUPPORTS SUPPORTS
programs from stabilizing family income. Complex pathway to self-sufficiency. reduced to $1,686 (bare bones budget
WIC $72 minus work support benefits). With their
application and renewal processes prevent families
from successfully enrolling and maintaining enrollment. FOOD $603 MFIP Food $281 $251 income of $1,733 every month, this family
Eligibility criteria, such as counting household size and is left with $47 to cover other expenses.
MONTHLY NET RESOURCES NET INCOME WITH School Meals FREE
So, public programs have filled in some of
income, is not consistent across programs, nor have TAX CREDITS

income guidelines kept pace with the cost of living over NET INCOME MA for Adults FREE the gaps between the low wage job and a
WITHOUT TAX
$1,250
CREDITS HEALTH CARE $553 $0 basic need budget. However, taking into
time. For example, the Minnesota Family Investment MA for Children FREE
Program (MFIP), Minnesota’s cash assistance or TANF $1,000 account the budget items not included
Section 8 $569 in the basic needs budget (e.g. school
program benefit amounts were not increased for 33 years. HOUSING + $1,089 $494
$750 ELECTRICITY Energy supplies, internet, cell phones, credit card
Also, most of these programs are expense reducers, not $26
Assistance
NET RESOURCES

income enhancers, and are designed to cover a specific $500

debt, car payments, etc.) this family is still
CHILDCARE $717 MFIP Child Care CCAP $4
family budget item, such as food or housing, with no at risk of economic instability.
$250 TRANSPORT $442 None $0 $442
flexibility in how a family uses the benefit. SNAP, for *This family will also receive a lump sum
example, must be used for food, even though housing 0 OTHER MFIP Cash of up to $7,000 in tax benefits at the
$341 $0 $341
costs may be the greater need for a family. NECESSITIES Benefit beginning of each year. Tax credits are
-$250
ESI helps illustrate how families fare on a combination TAX LIABILITY $156 None $0 $156 not counted toward a family’s monthly
of low-wages, public work support programs, and tax -$500 State Income budget because it is distributed once a
$0 $1,000 $2,000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 $455
ANNUAL TAX Tax Credits year. Most families use their tax credits to
credits and how barriers with all three can contribute to MONTHLY INCOME $622*
BENEFITS* Federal Income
economic insecurity and prevent self-sufficiency. The $167 catch up on bills or debt payments.
Tax Credits
illustrations used here are based on a family of three This graph is generated in ESI to show the family’s pathway to economic stability.
TOTAL This chart also illustrates the importance
The entire time they are on MFIP, this family barely breaks even. As this family
with 2 children ages 3 and 9 with 1 adult worker, living EXPENSES ($3,901) ($1,686)
comes off MFIP at about 130% FPG ($28,236 yearly or $2,353 monthly), they
AND TAXES of fully funding programs to increase
in Ramsey County. experience their first cliff. Our scale is not sensitive enough to show all the ups
economic stability. For example, if
and downs this family faces between 165% and 200% of FPG, but the family loses
INCOME $1,733 $1,733 the family is on a waitlist for Section 8
While some public work support program benefits are SNAP, School Meals, Early Learning Scholarships, MinnesotaCare, and most of their

effective in reducing a family’s budget, others have not

housing benefit. Even though the chart does not show it, the biggest cliff happens
WHAT’S housing assistance, they would be short
between 260% ($56,472) and 275% ($59,730) FPG, when the family becomes ($2,168) $47
LEFTOVER? $548 every month.
kept pace. ineligible for Child Care Assistance, MA, and WIC.

8 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 9
Economic Stability BRIDGE
BUILDER

THE WAY IN WHICH A FAMILY ACHIEVES CHILDREN IN POVERTY BY RACE AND AGE PEACETIME EMERGENCY CHILD CARE GRANTS LSS Financial Counseling
ECONOMIC STABILITY is contingent upon the GROUP, 2013-18 AWARDED, 2020
Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Source: Child Care Aware of Minnesota . LSS Financial Counseling supports,
interplay of systems and factors that support the ability
AMERICAN
ASIAN AND BLACK OR HISPANIC educates, and coaches families on how to
to earn income while caring for family members and INDIAN
PACIFIC AFRICAN OR LATINO ROUND 1 NUMBER $ AMOUNT
ISLANDER AMERICAN
improve their finances and achieve their
providing for their basic needs of shelter, nutritious NON-HISPANIC
WHITE
TWO OR
MORE RACES
TOTAL
STUDENTS
Family Child Care 986 $5,107,750 financial goals. The program encourages
food, clothing, child care, and transportation. Building
Child Care Center 282 $4,649,750 open dialogue between parents and
systems that set families up for success requires public 60%
AGES 0-5
AGES 0-5 their children so that children can start
investments that support a foundation of wellbeing for TOTAL 1268 $9,757,500
50% building their financial knowledge at a
our next generation of community leaders. Times of high
S young age and become financially stable
unemployment and recession, as are happening now, 40% ROUND 2
adults.
threaten economic stability for many families, requiring
Family Child Care 1139 $5,946,500
additional investments at the federal and state levels to 30% Counselors and educators promote
provide for basic needs. We face tough choices as we Child Care Center 243 $4,000,000 teaching children about basic budgeting,
20%
move through the COVID-19 crisis. But as we rebuild, spending limits, and, most importantly,
TOTAL 1382 $9,978,500
we get to choose. We can be guided by prioritizing the 10%
savings – a crucial component of a
things that truly matter – the health and vitality of our ROUND 3 financially secure future. The program’s
communities. 0%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Sense & Centsibility Blog provides parents
Family Child Care 494 $8,146,500 and individuals with tips and information
Minnesota has long recognized the importance of
50%
Child Care Center 2243 $11,736,000 on a wide variety of financial wellness
investing in the wellbeing of its people. However, TOTAL
UNDER 18 topics such as managing debt, improving
state investments have been inequitably applied. The TOTAL 2748 $20,113,500
40% credit scores, building savings, protecting
result is that many Black and Indigenous people and
a home from foreclosure, and more. LSS
people of color in Minnesota have experienced the S
30% employees with children have also written
compounding impacts that systemic lack of access to
COMMISSION TO END POVERTY IN blog posts about teaching children the
resources and opportunity have made to their families’
20% MINNESOTA BY 2020 RECOMMENDATIONS right way to manage money and when to
economic stability. Actions to counteract these historical
+ Restore work as a way out of poverty: Increase include them in financial conversations.
inequities are needed to change our systems and
10% minimum wage, expand tax credits for working families, Educating children early is the best way
improve economic potential for our children, families, and
increase access to child care assistance for working to prepare them to successfully handle
communities.
0% families, and tax credits for businesses. their finances as adults.
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
+ Refocus public assistance to streamline services: LSS Financial Counseling also helps
CHILDREN BELOW POVERTY BY RACE, 2010, 2018 Integrate and automate public services, make eligibility
families take control of their finances
Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S Census Bureau. COVID IMPACT ON HOUSEHOLDS WITH for services more uniform, and increase food support.
by providing support and information
CHILDREN SINCE MARCH 2020 + Help people build and maintain financial assets: Public
70% Source: U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey. on budgets, debt, student loans, and
70 % 50% OF FPT assistance policies that encourage maintenance of
(EXTREME 2010
ADULT IN HOUSEHOLD HAS
LOST EMPLOYMENT INCOME
ADULT MAY BE UNABLE TO PAY
NEXT RENT OR MORTGAGE PAYMENT assets, restrict use of personal credit information, and preparations to buy a home. Free,
POVERTY)
63%
60% 59 %
100% OF FPT 60% increase access to financial literacy education. confidential, non-judgmental counseling
59%
(POVERTY)
2018
+ Revitalize communities through infrastructure and is available statewide and across the U.S.
50% 200% OF FPT
(LOW-INCOME) 50%
person-to-person support: Increase affordable housing, The debt counseling service has helped
48 %
46 %
access to transportation, support for caregivers, and thousands of households nationwide
40% 40% help for at-risk youth. erase millions of dollars in debt. Through
36%

30%
35%
33% 34 % + Modernize education: Enhance early childhood counseling and the blog articles, families
30%
29 % 29% education and extend technical education programs. learn how to become more financially
27%

20%
24 %
21 %
23% 24 %
+ Develop an ongoing structure to monitor Minnesota’s secure.
20%
19%
efforts to end poverty: Use a public awareness
16% 15 % For more information, go to
10% 12 %
13%
12 %
14%
12% campaign and develop poverty impact statements to
11 %
8%
9% 6%
10%
assess effects of legislation on low-income Minnesotans. www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling or
6%
5% 3%
3%
12% 6%
Source: Legislative Commission to End Poverty by 2020. January 2009. Legislative
call 1-888-577-2227. To read the Sense &
0% 0%
ASIAN AND BLACK OR HISPANIC NON- TWO OR TOTAL Report: Commission to End Poverty by 2020. Centsibility Blog, visit www.lssmn.org/
MAY 19
MAY 7-
MAY 12
APR 23-
MAY 26
MAY 14-
JUN 2
MAY 21-
JUN 9
MAY 28-
JUN 16
JUN 4-
JUN 23
JUN 11-
JUN 30
JUN 18-
JUL 7
JUN 25-
JUL 14
JUL 2-
JUL 21
JUL 9-
SEP 14
AUG 19-
SEP 28
SEP 2-
OCT 12
SEP 16-

PACIFIC AFRICAN OR HISPANIC MORE STUDENTS

ISLANDER AMERICAN LATINO WHITE RACES financialcounseling/blog.

10 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 11
Economic Stability BRIDGE
BUILDER

THE WAY OUR COUNTRY’S ECONOMIC SYSTEMS TAX CREDITS FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH MINNESOTA FAMILY INVESTMENT PROGRAM People’s Prosperity
CHILDREN, 2017 PARTICIPATION, 2010-19*
are currently designed has pushed too many people to
the brink. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Revenue, personal contact with Abimael Chavez- *MFIP is provided to families and children. Sometimes only children are considered in the Pilot Guaranteed
the financial stress that families face. We now need
Hernandez, Minnesota Budget Project. calculation for payments, and sometimes parents are counted as well.

Source: Minnesota Dept. of Human Services, Personal contact with Mark Besser
Income Program
to focus on what lies ahead, creating policies that put DOLLAR NUMBER % OF
ADULT-ELIGIBLE
AMOUNT OF RETURNS RETURNS 40,000 Amid the ongoing public health and
people’s wellbeing first, based on evidence that they CASES
economic crisis, too many families continue
support the goal of social and economic prosperity for 35,000 CHILD-ONLY CASES
Dependent

25,881

25,177
$27,047,363 51,692 2% to struggle to make ends meet. Even

24,213
our communities. Care Credit

22,575
30,000 as billionaire wealth and stock market

21,391
Research shows that public policies affecting family Working

20,260
returns have surged in recent months, over

20,724

20,594
economic stability play a significant role in the health of Family $239,669,758 305,951 12% 25,000
Credit 80,000 Saint Paul residents have applied

18,518
children. Minnesota recognizes the value of investments

17,443
20,000
for unemployment benefits and countless
in families with work support programs that move them K12 Credit $10,057,079 39,741 1% families struggle with housing and food
toward economic stability.13 Establishing a living wage is 15,000 insecurity. Our unsheltered homeless
the place to begin. A pay structure that accurately reflects population has surged to be more than 10
Total number of tax returns:
the true cost of basic needs – including housing, child 10,000

2,659,298 times larger than it was a year ago. As long

11,409

11,350

11,195

10,902

10,116

10,089

9,419
care, adequate health care, and affordable healthy food

8,560
as one family cannot afford a stable home

7,697
5,000

7,103
– would not only improve access to what children need to shelter in place, to take time off work to
to thrive but also stimulate our state’s overall economic 0
care for a sick child, or to go to the doctor
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
growth.14 Because minimum wage has long fallen short
ENDING CHILD POVERTY NOW when they experience symptoms, we are all
of a living wage, public programs to support quality child RECOMMENDATIONS less safe. These facts are clearer today than
care, nutrition, health, and stable housing have continued
+ Expand housing vouchers
CHILD FOOD INSECURITY, 2018 AND 2020 ever before.
Source: Feeding America.
to play a key role in ensuring that children and families
+ Create transitional jobs Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter launched
have access to the things we all need.
+ Increase Earned Income Tax Credit 69% the City of Saint Paul People’s Prosperity

2018
161,880
Recommendations from Ending Child Poverty Now15 CHILDREN increase in 2020 Pilot Guaranteed Income Program in
+ Raise minimum wage to $15 per hour
include a variety of policy changes to work support September 2020 to provide up to 150
+ Expand child care assistance
programs and tax benefits that would cut child poverty Saint Paul families with $500 a month in

2020
+ Make Child and Dependent Care 273,800
rates substantially and improve family economic stability. guaranteed income for up to 18 months.
Tax Credit refundable CHILDREN
These changes would cost the federal government a The program will provide an enhanced level
+ Change child support to benefit more children
negligible amount but make a major impact on families of support to help low income families with
+ Make Child Tax Credit fully refundable
and communities. When families can financially support young children weather the storms of this
children’s healthy growth and development it sets the + Increase SNAP benefits CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
FOR FOUR-PERSON HOUSEHOLD, 2020 current environment while also providing
next generation on a path toward long-term wellbeing Source: Children’s Defense Fund. 2019. Ending Child Poverty Now.
a unique contribution to the ongoing
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Human Services.16
and economic stability as adults, in turn benefitting all of national conversation about the need
$100
us by their increased ability to contribute. for direct financial assistance to families,
$92,406
85% EXIT LEVEL particularly during this pandemic crisis.

UPPER INCOME LIMIT (IN THOUSANDS)

(DURING ELIGIBILITY
$80
SNAP PARTICIPATION BY RACE, DECEMBER 2019 SNAP PARTICIPATION BY CHILDREN, 2019-20 $51,095
PERIOD)
The projected budget of up to $1.5 million
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Human Services, Personal contact with Dorina Nikolla. Source: Minnesota Dept. of Human Services. 47% ENTRANCE LEVEL will be supported through the Mayors For
60,062 2019 (157,605 total children) $60 Guaranteed Income national network,
7,900 BLACK OR 47,389
AMERICAN AFRICAN NON-HISPANIC 4,998 $72,838 philanthropy and City of Saint Paul CARES
INDIAN AMERICAN WHITE UNKNOWN
114,065 43,540 67% EXIT LEVEL funds. Households will be randomly
CHILDREN IN CHILDREN IN $40 (AT REDETERMINATION)
SNAP ONLY SNAP AND MFIP selected from CollegeBound Saint
Paul families in the city. The first cash
2020 (157,455 total children) $20 payments to participants are expected to
start in late 2020.
12,153 16,562 10,498 107,679 49,776 0
For more information, visit
CHILDREN IN CHILDREN IN 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
ASIAN AND HISPANIC TWO OR
PACIFIC OR LATINO MORE
SNAP ONLY SNAP AND MFIP
BIWEEKLY COPAY www.stpaul.gov/prosperity.
ISLANDER RACES

12 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 13
Health
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS MADE IT ENROLLMENT 122,172 HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN
CLEARER THAN EVER that each and every person’s OF CHILDREN AGES
13-18 BY TYPE, 2018
IN MEDICAL 121,445 Source: Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2017
health is intertwined. We all need access to affordable ASSISTANCE AGES 0-3 and 2018 American Community Survey.

preventive care, a need that becomes more challenging BY AGE

GROUP, 2019 UNINSURED
PUBLIC
COVERAGE
PRIVATE
COVERAGE
BOTH PUBLIC
AND PRIVATE
yet critically important in a time of global pandemic. Source: MN ONLY ONLY COVERAGE
Ensuring that health care is affordable so that every child Department of
100%
Human Services, 4% 6% 5% 5% 5% 5%
can access preventive care and treatment to support personal contact with
their healthy development, physical, mental, and dental Ray Kurth-Nelson.

health needs throughout their childhood is important to 26%

75% 39%
the overall health and safety of all who live in our state. 234,551

PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN
AGES 4-12
60% 57%
The health and wellbeing of our children is the 65%

76%
foundation of a strong Minnesota, and investments in
health coverage ensures that all children have access to 50%

crucial preventive care to support healthy development. ENROLLMENT 915 261 AGES 0-3
OF CHILDREN AGES
13-18 65%
While our overall uninsured rate for children is 3%, IN MEDICAL 4% 48%
more children of color and Indigenous children remain ASSISTANCE 364
AGES
THROUGH 4-5
25%
uninsured. Federal and state investments in Medical TEFRA, 2019
19%
32% 35%
Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare provides access Source: Minnesota 26%
Department of Health, 17%
to affordable health care for families with low income, Personal Contact with 13%
8%
4% 2% 3% 3% 3%
covering nearly 40% of children in the state. Children Ray Kurth-Nelson. 0%

INDIAN
AMERICAN

ISLANDER
PACIFIC
ASIAN AND

AMERICAN
AFRICAN
BLACK OR

OR LATINO
HISPANIC

WHITE
HISPANIC
NON-

RACES
MORE
TWO OR

STUDENTS
TOTAL
with disabilities up to age 19 can also enroll in MA
through TEFRA17 regardless of parental income (a fee
is based on income and family size) to gain access to 1,237
AGES
6-12
waivered services and programs. Of all children served
by MA, about 2.5% are enrolled through TEFRA. This is a
strong start, but we must do more to restore and repair CHILDREN 24-35 MONTHS UP-TO-DATE WITH
LOW BIRTH-WEIGHT BABIES BY RACE, 2016-18 RECOMMENDED VACCINE SERIES, JULY 2020
health and wellbeing. Source: National Center for Health Statistics, CDC Wonder 2016-2018 birth data.
Source: Minnesota Department of Health, personal contact with Miriam Muscoplat.
In the toughest times, we do the toughest work. We AMERICAN ASIAN AND
PACIFIC
BLACK OR
AFRICAN
HISPANIC
INDIAN OR LATINO
ISLANDER AMERICAN
are equipped to do this work, but to weather the worst
NON-HISPANIC TWO OR TOTAL
WHITE MORE RACES STUDENTS SERIES DTAP POLIO MMR
and rebuild, we’re going to need a community-minded
perspective with a focus on shared benefits: We all are 15%
69.6% 74.7% 86.6% 83.5%
healthier when the health of each child and adult is
supported.
12%
HIB HEPB VARICELLA PCV

9%
81.4% 86% 85.6% 81.7%
AVERAGE MONTHLY
ENROLLMENT OF
CHILDREN ON MEDICAL 6% ADOLESCENTS AT 13 YEARS OLD UP-TO-DATE
ASSISTANCE, 2019 WITH RECOMMENDED VACCINE SERIES, JULY 2020
Source: Minnesota Department of Health.

3% HPV HPV
TDAP MCV4 SERIES
493,708
Initiation Complete

0% 72.9% 71.8% 55.1% 27.1% 26.5%

2016 2017 2018

14 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 15
Child Welfare Early Childhood Education
THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM IN MINNESOTA HAS CHILDREN EXPERIENCING OUT-OF-HOME EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PROVIDES BRIDGE
ADAPTED in a number of ways in order to connect children CARE BY AGE* AND RACE OF CHILD, 2019 A CRITICAL OPPORTUNITY to support children’s healthy brain BUILDER
*Age is calculated at the end of the calendar year.
and families with resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, development, and it also offers parents a place for their children
Source: Minnesota Dept.
coordinating across systems, including education, community AMERICAN 191 to be cared for while they work. Across Minnesota, shortages in
Child Care Aware
of Human Services, INDIAN AGE 591
services, child welfare, and juvenile justice. Like the foundation personal contact with 18+ child care, along with the high cost of care, leave many parents at
418 AGE 0-2
of a building, the health and wellbeing of our young people is Jon Pedersen. AGE 15-17 a growing economic disadvantage. During the COVID pandemic, of Minnesota
supported by the work of professionals in many sectors. When the state and federal funds allocated for child care programs
a child is referred to the child welfare system, experts make ASIAN AND 347 that are helping parents continue to work reflects the growing How do you keep child care programs
PACIFIC AGE 12-14 566
ISLANDER AGE 3-5
an assessment of child safety, and if screening criteria are met understanding among policymakers, educators, and business open during a pandemic, so that
for alleged abuse or neglect, an investigation is conducted 409 leaders that the critical importance of high-quality, affordable, and essential workers have child care for
33 39 AGE 9-11 483
and recommendations for services to address maltreatment AGE
18+
AGE 0-2 AGE 6-8 accessible child care is a public good that must be supported by their children? When Minnesota’s
concerns are outlined in a case plan. Building healthy public investment. Children’s Cabinet and DHS were
35
communities requires support from reliable structures and AGE 15-17
51 given that task, they turned to Child
BLACK OR Continued investments that expand access to affordable, high-
AGE 3-5
strong social systems that we all help build. AFRICAN Care Aware of Minnesota for help.
AMERICAN quality child care improve not only child development but also family
38 Child Care Aware of Minnesota works
Work groups that include service providers, advocates, AGE 12-14 and community social and economic outcomes. Early childhood
30 282 with child care programs around the
county leaders, and DHS staff have been meeting to plan 34 AGE 6-8 397 education is an important way to address longstanding structural
AGE
AGE 9-11 AGE 0-2 state, providing grant and scholarship
the implementation of the federal Family First Prevention 18+ inequities and move toward a stronger community for all of us.
programs, offering training and
Services Act18 that will be implemented in Minnesota within 444 Culturally appropriate and supportive components in early childhood
AGE 15-17 professional development, and
the next year. This new law embodies the first major child 391 programs could help reduce barriers to access by developing
HISPANIC AGE 3-5 managing the state’s Parent Aware
welfare practice shift in more than 25 years, and represents OR LATINO innovative approaches that serve the diverse families living in
quality rating program. They also
a philosophical and financial shift in the use of federal child 315 Minnesota. To achieve this, we must ensure that a mixed-delivery set
134 AGE 12-14 311 provide resources and referrals to
welfare funds for the delivery of prevention and intervention AGE 236 AGE 6-8 of early childhood programs aligns with family and cultural practices,
AGE 0-2 249
18+ parents seeking child care.
services. Two main changes include: 1. Children cannot be AGE 9-11 addresses geographic inequities, and combats the opportunity gap
291
placed in residential treatment for more than two weeks AGE 15-17 for children of color and Black and Indigenous children. Child Care Aware and its allies have
254
without a clear medical reason, and 2. Child Protection Services AGE 3-5 NON- long advocated for more financial
HISPANIC An early childhood education system that supports school readiness
may access federal Title IV-E funds to provide prevention and WHITE support for the child care system. As
241 for every young child in Minnesota ensures that our youngest
family support services such as substance abuse treatment or AGE 12-14 201 it is currently structured, child care
AGE 6-8 586 generation has the quality foundational education necessary to
parenting education to parents while keeping children home AGE 1,088 is too expensive for many families
230 18+ AGE 0-2 help them successfully create a more financially secure future and
with their families, as long as children are deemed to be safe AGE 9-11 and it does not pay a living wage
1,205 the ability to give back to communities and contribute to economic
from harm. These decisions reflect an approach that children AGE 15-17 for early educators. The pandemic
stability for our state.
do better with families, and challenges can best be solved TWO OR
1,040 brought this situation to the attention
AGE 3-5
MORE
at the systems-level, through better policies and targeted RACES of policymakers, as many family and
927
programs and initiatives that help families stay together. AGE 12-14 center-based child care programs had
192 888 CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION, 2019
AGE 528 841
AGE 6-8
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Human Services. decreases in enrollment while also
18+
398 AGE 0-2 AGE 9-11
having higher costs that threatened
AGE 15-17
FAMILIES CHILDREN
NUMBER OF DETERMINED VICTIMS OF their livelihoods. Child Care Aware
MALTREATMENT BY AGE AND RACE, 2019 administered the first round of
374 516 TOTAL
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Human Services, Personal contact with Jon Pedersen. AGE 12-14 AGE 3-5 STUDENTS Peacetime Emergency Child Care
AGE
AMERICAN HISPANIC grants, and continued to provide
15-17
INDIAN OR LATINO 379 1,292
AGE 9-11 447 AGE 2,744 BASIC BASIC support to programs applying for
ASIAN AND NON-HISPANIC AGE 6-8 18+ AGE 0-2
SLIDING MFIP SLIDING MFIP
12-14 PACIFIC WHITE
2,521 FEE FEE monthly COVID-19 Public Health
ISLANDER 8,065 16,689
BLACK OR
TWO OR
MORE
AGE 15-17 7,284 13,995 Support Funds for Child Care program.
9-11 AFRICAN RACES
AMERICAN 2,615 These efforts mean that at the end of
UNKNOWN AGE 3-5
6-8 2,017 the pandemic, there will still be a child
AGE 12-14
care system ready to serve families.
3-5
1,927 2,181
AGE 9-11
AGE 6-8
BASIC SLIDING FEE MFIP For more information, visit
0-2 COST PER FAMILY COST PER FAMILY
childcareawaremn.org.
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
$14,520 $19,524
16 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 17
K-12 Education

THE RAPID SHIFT TO DISTANCE LEARNING FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATES COUNTING ALL STUDENTS ENROLLMENT DATA, READING PROFICIENCY, 2019
IN MARCH ACROSS MINNESOTA revealed the BY RACE AND ETHNICITY, 2012-19 2020 Source: Minnesota Dept. of Education, Counting All Students Report. 20
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Education, Counting All Students Report. 20
Source: MN Department of Education Data Center. 63.8% Meeting or
crucial role that schools play in serving as a bridge for ASIAN AND BLACK OR
Students
Tested Exceeding %
Proficient
AMERICAN PACIFIC HISPANIC Standards
AFRICAN
children and their families to a variety of services while 60%

ANISHINAABE/OJIBWE
INDIAN ISLANDER OR LATINO
AMERICAN
NON-HISPANIC TWO OR TOTAL
4,474
also providing opportunities for students to build WHITE MORE RACES STUDENTS
AMERICAN INDIAN AMERICAN INDIAN 92 44 47.8%
50% STUDENTS
strong social, cognitive, and emotional skills. Schools 100%
Dakota/Lakota 14 9 64.3%
connect students to services that include food,

DECLINE TO INDICATE
40%

DAKOTA/LAKOTA
Anishinaabe/Ojibwe 39 16 41%
child care, expanded learning opportunities, mental
Other 21 13 61.9%

UNKNOWN
30%
health care, and housing support that strengthen 80%

OTHER

MORE THAN
ONE GROUP
Unknown 11 4 36.4%

CHEROKEE
the foundation of childhood wellbeing. Policymakers, 20%
Decline to indicate 10 2 20%
school administrators, and teachers must recognize 11.6% 10.7%
10.3%
the complex set of barriers facing today’s families and 10% ASIAN 755 398 52.7%
3.5% 4.6% 5.1%
60%
children due not only to COVID-19 but also to systemic Chinese 66 51 77.3%
0%
policies and practices that have created hurdles to
50% Filipino 184 76 41.3%
academic success, undermining the potential of too
40% 42.2% 12,479 Hmong 146 67 45.9%
many of our children of color and Indigenous children. 40%
ASIAN STUDENTS
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Asian Indian 44 37 84.1%

HMONG
During this pandemic, existing inequities in education Karen 108 38 35.2%

DECLINE TO INDICATE
have been exacerbated by the widespread move to 30%

KAREN
Korean 41 38 92.7%
distance learning which highlights the unreliable STUDENTS EXPERIENCING

ASIAN INDIAN
FILIPINO
HOMELESSNESS BY RACE, 2019 Vietnamese 26 19 73.1%

VIETNAMESE

OTHER
20%
access to internet connectivity and technology and 17.7%

MORE THAN
ONE GROUP
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Education, Personal contact with Joseph Curiel.

CHINESE
Other 123 62 50.4%

UNKNOWN
KOREAN
BURMESE
the impact that has on children and youth and their
10.4% 9.9% More than one group 20 10 50%
10%
ability to participate in school. Children have been 5.6%
4.8% 3.6% 4% Decline to indicate 26 19 73.1%
unable to connect with their school, their friends, 890,287 9,237 2.3% 1.4% 1.8%
TOTAL STUDENTS HOMELESS 1.1%
0%
or even access their assignments. According to the BLACK 471 177 37.6%
60%
Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, 71 percent 54.4%
African American 274 94 34.3%
9,825
of Minnesota’s children, and notably 99 percent 50% BLACK STUDENTS

AFRICAN AMERICAN
Ethiopian - Oromo 13 3 23.1%
of Black children, attend school through distance 924
3,509 1,406 2,327 TWO Nigerian 13 7 53.8%

DECLINE TO INDICATE
BLACK OR HISPANIC NON-HISPANIC OR
learning in Minnesota.19 Extended family members, 40%

ETHIOPIAN - OROMO
AFRICAN AMERICAN OR LATINO WHITE MORE

ETHIOPIAN - OTHER
RACES Somali 25 9 36%
including grandparents, have taken on extra roles

SOMALI
30%
Ethiopian - Other 50 25 50%
to support children’s distance learning. Addressing 834 237

MORE THAN
ONE GROUP

UNKNOWN
AMERICAN INDIAN ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER Other 61 22 36.1%

OTHER
other obstacles to daily attendance and student

NIGERIAN
20% 16.3%

LIBERIAN
engagement in learning – including adequate More than one group 20 9 45%
9.1%
10% 6.8% Unknown 13 7 53.8%
nutrition and health care – helps our students 4.7% 4.5% 4.4% 5.5%
1.9%
open the door to learning. Without removing these READING PROFICIENCY, 3RD GRADE, FOR 0%
1.5%
Decline to indicate 33 13 39.4%
STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
obstacles, no matter how hard they try, these students COMPARED TO HOUSED STUDENTS, 2019 50% LATINO 1013 419 41.4%
cannot attend school ready to learn. We’re all seeing 44.3%
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Education, Personal contact with Joseph Curiel. 9,826
LATINO STUDENTS Guatelaman 229 67 29.3%
with fresh eyes, that the way we, as a society, set up

MEXICAN
HOUSED AND ELIGIBLE 40%
HOMELESS HOUSED
education has everything to do with child wellbeing. FOR FREE LUNCH Mexican 364 178 48.9%

GUATELAMAN
We have an opportunity to counteract the inequitable 30% Puerto Rican 30 15 50%

OTHER
22.9%

SALVADORAN
Salvadoran 109 43 39.4%

DECLINE TO
distribution of resources for public schools, as well as 32.9%

PUERTO RICAN
PROFICIENT

MORE THAN
ONE GROUP
36.1%

INDICATE
NOT
consequences of disrupted learning due to measures PROFICIENT PROFICIENT

ECUADORIAN

UNKNOWN
20% 17.1% Spanish 55 29 52.7%
COLOMBIAN

SPANISH
77.1% 63.9%
taken to safeguard children and school employees NOT NOT 67.2% 12.3% Other 159 63 39.6%
PROFICIENT PROFICIENT
PROFICIENT
from COVID-19 infection, by ensuring a quality 9.2%
10% 7.2% 6.9% More than one group 85 38 44.7%
4.6% 4.8% 4.8%
educational foundation for every child in Minnesota. 1.4% 1.6% Decline to indicate 145 58 40%
0%

18 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 19
 Minnesota State
Policy Updates
State-Level Data Tables
While much of the Minnesota
state legislature’s work during the
regular and five subsequent special PERCENT/ PERCENT/
DEMOGRAPHICS NUMBER
RATE
YEAR(S) FAMILY AND CAREGIVERS NUMBER
RATE
YEAR(S)
sessions focused on COVID-19 relief,
other important measures were CT Child population, 1,302,615 23% 2018 Households raising children, As % of all households 602,316 27.1% 2019
As % of total population
also passed, including a bonding
bill with $116 million for affordable Children in households:
Children 0-4, 355,291 27% 2018
housing and a police reform bill. As % of children
with married adults, As % of children in households 934,000 72% 2018
They also included: Children 5-11,
As % of children 509,408 39% 2018
with mother only, As % of children in households 251,000 19% 2018
+ Residential Treatment under
Children 12-14, 221,678 17% 2018 with father only, As % of children in households 101,000 8% 2018
Family First Prevention Services As % of children
Act: This policy is the first Children being raised by unmarried, cohabitating partners,
Children 15-17, 216,238 17% 2018 110,000 8% 2018
legislation in Minnesota to begin As % of children As % of children
implementation of the Federal
Children being raised by grandparents, As % of children 28,000 2% 2018
Family First Prevention Services CT Children by Race/Ethnicity
Act, which was designed Children in immigrant families (child and/or parent is foreign-born),
White, non-Hispanic, 260,000 20% 2018
to prevent out-of-home 893,877 69% 2018 As % of children
As % of children
placements of children when
CT Total births, Rate per 1,000 children 67,341 12 2018
they can be supported in their Black, non-Hispanic, 126,895 10% 2018
As % of children
family home and to dramatically Births by Maternal Education, As % of births
reduce the number of children American Indian,
non-Hispanic, 18,709 1% 2018 Less than 4 years of high school 6,745 10.1% 2018
living in congregate care. 21 As % of children
Asian, non-Hispanic, 4 years of high school or GED completed 11,328 16.9% 2018
+ Child Care Assistance Program 79,653 6% 2018
As % of children
(CCAP): The final component Some college credit but no degree 12,273 18.3% 2018
needed to conform CCAP to Two or more races,
non-Hispanic, 65,425 5% 2018
federally-required provisions As % of children Associate's Degree 8,500 12.7% 2018
of the renewed Child Care
Hispanic or Latino, 117,197 9% 2018 Bachelor's Degree 18,725 28.0% 2018
Development Block Grant was As % of children
passed, with the reimbursement Master's, Doctorate, or Professional Degree 9,388 14% 2018
rates made to providers now
Births to US-born mothers, As % of births 54,061 80.3% 2018
being set by using the 25th
percentile of the 2018 market Births to foreign-born mothers, As % of births 13,287 19.7% 2018
rate survey of child care costs.
Children born to married mothers, As % of births 45,869 68.1% 2018
+ Student Discipline in Preschool
and Pre-kindergarten: Prohibits CT Children born to unmarried mothers, As % of births 21,467 31.9% 2018
the suspension or expulsion of
CT Children born with no father listed on the birth certificate, As % of births 7,714 11.5% 2018
young students participating
in early childhood education, Children born to teenage (age 15-17) mothers,
CT 1,794 10 2015-18
school readiness, school Rate per 1,000 15- to 17-year-olds
readiness plus, voluntary CT Children in the Family Assessment Response program 24,317 2019
prekindergarten, Head Start, or
other school-based preschool CT Children in out-of-home care 15,297 2019
or pre-kindergarten programs,
Children aging out of foster care without a permanent family 397 2019
unless all other resources have
been exhausted and there is an Children remaining under state guardianship, year-end 1,791 2019
ongoing safety risk to the child
Children who had ever had a parent who was incarcerated 91,401 7% 2017-18
or others. 22

20 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 21
 PERCENT/ PERCENT/
EARLY CHILDHOOD NUMBER
RATE
YEAR(S) ECONOMIC STABILITY NUMBER
RATE
YEAR(S)

CT Children born preterm, As % of births 5,995 9% 2018 Entire population living in poverty, As % of population 529,000 10% 2018

CT Children born at low-birthweight, As % of births 4,634 6.9% 2018 Children living in extreme poverty (50% of poverty), As % of children 60,000 5% 2018

Children age 3 and 4 not enrolled in preschool 75,000 52% 2016-18 CT Children living in poverty, As % of children 150,000 12% 2018

CT Annual cost of center-based child care White children in poverty, As % of all White children 54,000 6% 2018

Infant $15,550 2020 African American children in poverty, As % of all African American children 41,000 33% 2018

Toddler $13,550 2020 Asian children in poverty, As % of all Asian children 12,000 16% 2018

Preschooler $12,000 2020 American Indian children in poverty, As % of all American Indian children S S 2018

School-Age $9,850 2020 Hispanic or Latino children in poverty, As % of all Hispanic or Latino children 27,000 23% 2018

CT Annual cost of family-based child care Children of Two or More Races in poverty, 12,000 14% 2018
As % of all children of Two or More Races
Infant $8,200 2020
Immigrant children in poverty, As % of all immigrant children 58,000 22% 2018
Toddler $7,850 2020
Children age 5 and under living in poverty, As % of children age 5 and under 51,000 12% 2018
Preschooler $7,500 2020
Children age 5 and under living below 185% of poverty 110,279 26.6% 2019
School-Age $6,700 2020
Children below 200% of poverty, As % of children 372,000 29% 2018
Children under age 6 with all available parents in the workforce,
318,000 77% 2018 Families living in poverty, As % of families 57,000 9% 2019
As % of children under age 6
Married-couple households with children in poverty, 17,000 4% 2019
Children in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), As % of all married-couple households with children
average monthly enrollment
Single-parent households with children in poverty, 44,000 22% 2019
As % of all single-parent households with children
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or
16,689 2019 Median family income of households with children (in 2018 dollars) $92,900 2018
Transition Year Child Care Assistance Program

Basic Sliding Fee (BSF) 13,995 2019 Median family income of White households with children (in 2018 dollars) $103,500 2018

August Median family income of African American households with children $40,100 2018
Families on waiting lists for the CCAP 1,328 (in 2018 dollars)
2020
Median family income of American Indian households with children $30,900 2018
Total Enrollment in Head Start or Early Head Start 16,810 2018-19 (in 2018 dollars)
Children served by Part C Early Intervention and have Median family income of Asian households with children (in 2018 dollars) $94,900 2018
6,025 2017-18
Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs)
Median family income of Hispanic households with children (in 2018 dollars) $44,100 2018
Children experiencing homelessness served by Part C 101 2018-19
Median family income of households of Two or More Races (in 2018 dollars) $58,500 2018
Children under age 6 with all available parents in the workforce, 311,000 76.0% 2019
As % of families

PERCENT/ Tax households who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 316,000 2019
K-12 EDUCATION NUMBER
RATE
YEAR(S)
Total value of the EITC $699,000,000 2019
Students enrolled in non-public schools 65,657 2019-20
Average EITC amount $2,209 2019
CT Students enrolled in K-12 public schools 893,203 2019-20
Families in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
K-12 public school students who are English Learner Identified,
CT 76,361 8.6% 2019-20 CT In Child-only cases 7,103 2019
As % of K-12 public school students
K-12 public school students enrolled in special education, CT In Adult-eligible cases 17,443 2019
CT 148,712 16.7% 2019-20
As % of K-12 public school students
CT Percent of families receiving child support, As % of eligible families 75% 2019
CT Students who graduated in 4 years, As % of public school students 57,171 83.7% 2018-19
Female-headed families receiving child support, 47,000 36% 2019
As % of families headed by unmarried women
Students who graduated in 5 years, As % of public school students 57,932 86.4% 2018-19
Children age 6 to 12 with all available parents in the workforce, 394,000 77% 2018
CT Students who dropped out within 4 years, As % of public school students 3,010 4.4% 2018-19 As % of children 6 to 12

22 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 23
 PERCENT/
HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT NUMBER
RATE
YEAR(S)

CT Children without health insurance, As % of children 43,894 3.3% 2018

CT
CT
Average monthly enrollment of children in Medical Assistance
Average monthly enrollment of children in MinnesotaCare
493,708
1,409
37.9% 2019
2019
Technical Notes
CT Children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy, As % of births 5,010 7.5% 2018 “Children,” if not otherwise defined, Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Statistics for 2019 Tax Returns with online.
refers to those under age 18 (0-17). American Community Survey. Note: EITC. Retrieved from https://www.eitc. Total births, 2018
CT Children whose mothers received inadequate or no prenatal care, 6,586 10.3% 2018 A “parent” may be either biological, Analysis by Population Reference irs.gov/eitc-central/statistics-for-tax- Source: Minnesota Department of
As % of births adoptive, or a stepparent. “Families” Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center returns-with-eitc/statistics-for-tax- Health, Center for Health Statistics.
refers to a parent raising one or online. returns-with-eitc. 2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
Children enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Program (MA or MNCare) 250,426 38.9% 2019
more children in their household. Children in poverty by race/ethnicity, Total value of the Earned Income Tax Births by maternal education, 2018
who saw a dentist, As % of children enrolled in MHCP A “household” may contain a single 2018 Credit (EITC), 2019 (Tax Year 2019)
family, more than one family, a family Source: Minnesota Department of
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Source: Internal Revenue Service, Health, Center for Health Statistics.
and one or more sub-families (such
Children who have one or more emotional, behavioral, or developmental 240,628 23% 2018 as three generations living together),
American Community Survey. Note: Statistics for 2019 Tax Returns with 2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
conditions, As % of children or it may contain members that are
Analysis by Population Reference EITC. Retrieved from https://www.eitc.
Births to US-born mothers, 2018
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center irs.gov/eitc-central/statistics-for-tax-
unrelated. Total and sub-group child Source: Minnesota Department of
online. returns-with-eitc/statistics-for-tax-
CT Children 24-35 months who are up-to-date with the vaccine series, 69.6% July populations used for calculating most returns-with-eitc.
Health, Center for Health Statistics.
As % of children 24-35 months 2020 rates are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Immigrant children in poverty, 2018 2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
year that corresponds to the data. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Families in the Minnesota Family
Births to foreign-born mothers, 2018
American Community Survey. Note: Investment Program (MFIP), 2019
Children age 13 who have received the recommended adolescent 26.5% July Analysis by Population Reference Source: Minnesota Department of
Source: Minnesota Department of
vaccines, As % of children age 13. 2020 Statewide poverty estimates are
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Human Services. Program Assessment
Health, Center for Health Statistics.
based upon the universe for which 2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
online. and Integrity Division. Personal
poverty status is determined in Children born to married mothers,
Children age 5 and under living in contact with Mark Besser. Note: figure
the 2018 American Community
PERCENT/ is for active case counts for December 2018
SAFE HOMES AND COMMUNITIES NUMBER
RATE
YEAR(S) Survey (ACS). Poverty status is not
determined for people in military
poverty, 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 2019. Source: Minnesota Department of
Health, Center for Health Statistics.
barracks, institutional quarters, or for American Community Survey. Note: Percent of families receiving child
2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
Children under age 6 testing positive for lead poisoning 776 2018 unrelated individuals under age 18 Analysis by Population Reference support, 2019
Children born to unmarried mothers,
(such as foster children). The federal Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Source: Minnesota Department
poverty definition consists of a series online. of Human Services, Child Support 2018
Children living in crowded housing, As % of children 149,000 11% 2018 of thresholds based on family size and Enforcement Division. Child Support Source: Minnesota Department of
Children age 5 and under living
composition. The poverty threshold in Performance Report 2019. Current Health, Center for Health Statistics.
Households where housing costs exceed 30% of income, below 185% of poverty, 2019
CT 270,000 21% 2018 2018 was defined as an annual income collection based on the federal fiscal 2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019
As % of all housing units below $25,100 for a family of four with American Community Survey. Note: year. Retrieved from https://edocs. Children born with no father listed
two children. Accessed on Data.Census.Gov, Table dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS- on the birth certificate, 2018
Owner 215,131 20.7% 2019 B17024. 4252T-ENG Source: Minnesota Department of
Some data presented in this book is Children below 200% of the poverty Female-headed families receiving Health, Center for Health Statistics.
Renter 260,614 44% 2019 reflective of actual counts, while other line, 2018 child support, 2019 2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
data is obtained from survey estimates. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Children born to teenage (15-17)
CT Housing status of children, As % of children in occupied housing units In the latter case, we have rounded American Community Survey. Note: Population Survey. Analysis by mothers, 2015-18
many figures to the nearest 500 or Analysis by Population Reference Population Reference Bureau. See Source: Minnesota Department of
1,000 to emphasize that the figure is
Owner 991,943 76.5% 2019 an estimate, which contains a margin
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center KIDS COUNT Data Center online. Health, Center for Health Statistics.
online. Children age 6-12 with all available 2015 Minnesota County Health Tables.
of error. For additional information
Renter 304,715 23.5% 2019 about sampling methodology and Families living in poverty, 2019 parents in the workforce, 2018 Note: Due to small numbers, rate
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 represents 3-year average for 2015-
confidence intervals, please refer to 2018; rate given per 1,000 teenage girls
Children age 10 to 17 arrested for serious crimes, American Community Survey. Note: American Community Survey. Analysis
CT 5,013 8.5% 2019 the original data source or contact ages 15 to 17.
by Population Reference Bureau. See
Rate per 1,000 children age 10 to 17 Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota. Analysis by Population Reference
KIDS COUNT Data Center online.
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Children in the Family Assessment
online. Response Program, 2019
CT Children who died from unintentional injuries 68 2018 FAMILY & CAREGIVERS Source: Minnesota Department of
DEMOGRAPHICS Married-couple households with
Households raising children, 2019 Human Services. Minnesota’s Child
CT Children abused or neglected, Rate per 1,000 children 6,953 5.3% 2019 Child population, 2018 children in poverty, 2019
Maltreatment Report 2019, Fall 2020.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019
American Community Survey. Note: American Community Survey. Table Personal contact with Jon Pedersen.
CT Children who committed suicide or were murdered 36 2018 Estimates for July 1, 2018.
Analysis by Population Reference S0201. Children in out-of-home care, 2019
Child population by age group, 2018 Source: Minnesota Department of
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Children in households, 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Human Services. Minnesota’s Out-of-
online. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018
Estimates for July 1, 2018. home Care and Permanency Report
Single-parent households with American Community Survey. Note:
PERCENT/ Child population by race/ethnicity, 2019, Fall 2020. Personal contact with
Analysis by Population Reference
FOOD AND NUTRITION NUMBER
RATE
YEAR(S) 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population
children in poverty, 2019
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Jon Pedersen.
American Community Survey. Note: online. Children aging out of foster care
Estimates for July 1, 2018. Note: without a permanent family, 2019
Analysis by Population Reference
CT K-12 students approved for free school meals, As % of K-12 students 319,962 35.8% 2019-20 Hispanic/Latino children are not
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center
Children being raised by unmarried,
Source: Minnesota Department of
counted in racial groupings. cohabitating partners, 2018
online. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Human Services. Minnesota’s Out-of-
CT Average monthly enrollment of children receiving SNAP 157,455 2020 Median family income by race/ American Community Survey. Note: home Care and Permanency Report
ECONOMIC STABILITY Analysis by Population Reference 2019, Fall 2020. Personal contact with
ethnicity, 2018
Participation in the WIC nutrition program Entire population living in poverty, Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Jon Pedersen.
2018 American Community Survey. Note: online. Children remaining under state
Women (pregnant, breastfeeding and post-partum) 44,402 2019 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 See tables B19113A, B, C, D, E, and I. Children being raised by guardianship, year-end, 2019
American Community Survey. Note: Source: Minnesota Department of
Children under age 6 with all grandparents, 2018
Infants born and enrolled in WIC 27,163 2019 Analysis by Population Reference
available parents in the workforce, Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Human Services, Child Safety and
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Permanency Division. Personal contact
2019 American Community Survey. Note:
online. with Jon Pedersen.
Children (1 to 5 years old) 71,029 2019 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 Analysis by Population Reference
Children living in extreme poverty, American Community Survey. Analysis Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Children who had ever had a parent
Households that are "food insecure," As % of households 165,000 13% 2017-19 2018 by Population Reference Bureau. See online. who was incarcerated, 2017-18
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Center online. Children in immigrant families, 2018 Source: Child Trends analysis of data
American Community Survey. Note: from the U.S. Department of Health
Children in families visiting food shelves (non-unique, counted each visit) 1,282,159 2019 Analysis by Population Reference Tax households that claimed the Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018
and Human Services, Health Resources
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), American Community Survey. Note:
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center Analysis by Population Reference and Services Administration, Maternal
CT Children in the Summer Food Service Program (average daily 48,114 18.4% 2019 online. 2019 (Tax Year 2019)
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center and Child Health Bureau, National
participation), As % of those enrolled in free school meals Children living in poverty, 2018
Source: Internal Revenue Service, Survey of Children’s Health.

Children in the Summer Food Service Program (average daily participation), 46,437 14.4% 2018
As % of those enrolled in free school meals

24 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book | 2020 2020 | Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book 25
EARLY CHILDHOOD K-12 EDUCATION
Endnotes Sparking
Note: “Inadequate” is defined as either children in a family were counted each
no prenatal care, care beginning in the time a family member visited a food
Children born preterm, 2018 Students enrolled in non-public
3rd trimester, or an inadequate range shelf during the year. Retrieved from
Source: Minnesota Department of
Health, Center for Health Statistics.
schools, 2019-20
Source: Minnesota Department of
of visits, regardless of when prenatal
care began.
https://www.hungersolutions.org/data-
posts/2019-food-shelf-visits-hit-record-
Conversations,
2018 Minnesota County Health Tables. Education. Retrieved from Data Center
Ideas and Change:
Children enrolled in Minnesota Health high-10-years-after-recession/ 1 Annie E. Casey Foundation. 2020. 2020 Survey. Phase 2 Week 13.
Note: Live births of babies who are less at https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/. KIDS COUNT Data Book: State Trends in
than 37 weeks gestation at birth. Single Care Program (MA or MinnesotaCare) Children in the Summer Food Service 13 Spencer, Rachael A. and Komro, Kelli A.
Students enrolled in K-12 public Child Wellbeing. https://www.aecf.org/
births only; not multiples.
Children born at low-birthweight,
schools, 2019-20
Source: Minnesota Department of
who saw a dentist, 2019
Source: Minnesota Department
Program, 2019
Source: Food Research and resources/2020-kids-count-data-book/
March 2017. Family Economic Security
Policies and Child Family Health. Clinical The KIDS COUNT
Action Center. Note: Average daily
Data Center
2018 of Health. Minnesota Health Care 2 Population Reference Bureau, analysis of Child and Family Psychology Review. 20(1).
Education. Retrieved from Data Center
Programs Dental Services Recipients participation during the month of July data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2019
Source: Minnesota Department of at https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/. 14 Economic Policy Institute. February 5,
by County of Residence, Program (busiest month). Rate is calculated by American Community Survey.
Health, Center for Health Statistics. K-12 public school students with 2019. Raising the Federal Minimum Wage
Category and Age. Note: Data collected dividing summer participation figure
2018 Minnesota County Health Tables. 3 Center on Poverty and Social Policy. June to $15 by 2024 Would Lift Pay for Nearly
limited English proficiency, 2019-20 for children ages 0-20. Personal contact by free and reduced-price school lunch
Personal contact with Judy Palermo.
Source: Minnesota Department of with Genelle Lamont. enrollment figure. Retrieved from 21, 2020. The CARES Act and Poverty in 40 Million Workers. https://www.epi.org/ The KIDS COUNT Data Center
Note: Refers to live births during 2018 in
Education. Retrieved from Data Center https://frac.org/wp-content/uploads/ the COVID-19 Crisis: Promises and Pitfalls publication/raising-the-federal-minimum-
which the child weighed less than 2500
at https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/.
Children who have one or
summer-tables-2019/tab1-sn-partic. of the Recovery Rebates and Expanded wage-to-15-by-2024-would-lift-pay-for-
provides one comprehensive
grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) at birth. more emotional, behavioral or
html Unemployment Benefits. Www.cbpp.org/
Single births only; not multiples. K-12 public school students enrolled developmental conditions, 2018 nearly-40-million-workers/ website of national, state, county,
in special education, 2019-20 Source: Child Trends analysis of data Forecasting-Poverty-Estimates-COVID19-
Children age 3 and 4 not attending SAFE HOMES & COMMUNITIES 15 Children’s Defense Fund. 2019. Ending
preschool, 2016-18
Source: Minnesota Department of from the U.S. Department of Health CARES-Act-CPSP-2020.pdf
Child Poverty Now. and city information to help
Education. Retrieved from Data Center and Human Services, Health Resources Children under age 6 testing positive
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016-2018 for lead poisoning, 2018 4 Brower, S., Lott, A., Dayton, M. community members stay up-
at https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/. and Services Administration, Maternal 16 Minnesota Dept. of Human Services,
American Community Survey. Note: Source: Minnesota Department of January 2019. The Economic Status of
Students who graduated in 4 years, and Child Health Bureau, National Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program
Analysis by Population Reference
Survey of Children’s Health. Health, Environmental Health Division. Minnesotans 2019. https://mn.gov/admin/
Copayment Schedules, Effective Oct. to-date on key trends in child
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center 2018-19 assets/MNSDC_EconStatus_2018Report_
Personal contact with Zay Rezania. 5, 2020. https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/
Online. Source: Minnesota Department of Children 24-35 months who are up-to- Note: Refers to children who were FNL_Access.pdf_tcm36-362054.pdf wellbeing. The website contains
Education. Retrieved from Data Center date with the vaccine series, July 2020 lfserver/Public/DHS-6413I-ENG
Cost of center-based child care, 2020 tested and found to have blood lead
Source: Child Care Aware of Minnesota.
at https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/. Source: Minnesota Department of levels of 5 Micrograms per Deciliter (µg/
5 U.S. Census Bureau. Poverty Thresholds.
17 https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/ hundreds of indicators and allows
Students who graduated in 5 years, Health, Immunization Program. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-
2020 Child Care Provider Rate Survey. dL) or greater, both confirmed and cite/256B.055#stat.256B.055.12 users to:
Personal contact with Angie Bowman. 2018-19 Childhood Immunization Coverage in unconfirmed cases of elevated blood series/demo/income-poverty/historical-
Source: Minnesota Department of Minnesota. July 2020. Personal Contact lead levels. poverty-thresholds.html 18 Children’s Defense Fund. 2019.
Cost of family-based child care, 2020 with Miriam Muscoplat. Note: The Implementing the Family First Prevention • Create custom reports for a
Source: Child Care Aware of Minnesota. Education. Retrieved from Data Center Children living in crowded housing, 6 Center for American Progress. March
at https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/. vaccine series consists of 4+ DTaP, 3+ Services Act of 2018.
Child Care Provider Rate Survey. Polio, 1+ MMR, Complete Hib, 3+ HepB, 2018 5, 2020. The Poverty Line Matters, but specific county or state;
Personal contact with Angie Bowman. Students who dropped out in 4 years, Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 it isn’t Capturing Everyone It Should. 19 U.S. Census Bureau. October 7, 2020.
1+ Varicella, and Complete Prevnar.
Children under age 6 with all available 2018-19
Adolescents age 13 who have received
American Community Survey. Note: https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/ Week 15 Household Pulse Survey: • Compare and rank data for
parents in the workforce, 2018 Source: Minnesota Department of Analysis by Population Reference poverty/news/2020/03/05/481314/poverty- September 16 – September 28. Education
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 Education. Retrieved from Data Center the recommended adolescent Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center line-matters-isnt-capturing-everyone/ Table 2. Coronavirus Pandemic Impact different states and counties;
at https://education.mn.gov/MDE/Data/. vaccines, July 2020
American Community Survey. Note:
Source: Minnesota Department of
online.
7 Center on Poverty & Social Policy.
on How Children Received Education, by and
Analysis by Population Reference HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT Households where housing costs Select Characteristics: Minnesota.
Health, Immunization Program. November. 7, 2019. The Costs of Being
Bureau. See KIDS COUNT Data Center
Children without health insurance, Adolescent Immunization Coverage in exceed 30% of income, 2018
Poor: Inflation Inequality Leads to Three 20 Minnesota Department of Education. • Design graphics like maps
Online. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019
Average monthly enrollment of
2018 Minnesota. July 2020. Personal Contact
American Community Survey 1-Year Million More People in Poverty. https:// Counting All Students Report. and trend lines to use in
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018. Small with Miriam Muscoplat. Note: The groundworkcollaborative.org/wp-content/ Accessed at https://public.education.
children in the Child Care Assistance vaccine series consists of 1+ Tdap, 1+ Estimates. Table B25091: Mortgage presentations and publications,
Area Health Insurance Estimates. Status by Selected Monthly Owner uploads/2019/11/The-Costs-of-Being-Poor- mn.gov/MDEAnalytics/DataTopic.
Program (CCAP), 2019 MenACWY and Complete HPV.
Source: Minnesota Department of Average monthly enrollment of Costs as a Percentage of Household Groundwork-Collaborative.pdf jsp?TOPICID=486. Note: MDE collected including websites or blogs.
Income in the Past 12 Months and Table data from five districts in 2019 and will
Human Services, Minnesota Child children in Medical Assistance (MA), FOOD AND NUTRITION 8 Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
2019 S0201: Selected Population Profile in expand each year. This enrollment and
Care Assistance Program Fiscal Year K-12 students approved for free school July 17, 2017. Economic Security Programs
Source: Minnesota Department of the United States. MCA testing data is based on responses
2019 Family Profile, January 2019. Note: meals, 2019-20 Help Low-Income Children Succeed Over
Monthly averages of children receiving Human Services, Reports & Forecasts Housing status of children, 2019 by families within participating districts
Source: Minnesota Department Long Term, Many Studies Find. https://
CCAP including Minnesota Family Division. Personal contact with Ray Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 and does not represent a comprehensive
of Education, Data Center, 2018- www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-
Investment Program (MFIP), Transition Kurth-Nelson. Note: Includes children American Community Survey 1-year view of all students in Minnesota.
in MFIP households. Refers to children
2019 Enrollments-County-Special inequality/economic-security-programs-
Year (TY), and Basic Sliding Fee (BSF) Populations spreadsheet. Estimates, Table S0901.
below age 18, although 18- to 20-year- help-low-income-children-succeed-over 21 NAMI Minnesota. 2020. NAMI
during state fiscal year 2019 (July 1, 2018 Children age 10-17 arrested for a
olds are eligible to receive Medical Average monthly enrollment of 9 Minnesota Department of Revenue.
to June 30, 2019).
children receiving SNAP, 2020 serious crime, 2019 Minnesota 2020 Minnesota
Assistance. Child’s age calculated as of https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/
Families on the waiting list for CCAP, July 1, 2019. Children are counted in only Source: Minnesota Department of Source: Minnesota Department of Legislative Session Summary
August 2020 Public Safety, 2019 Bureau of Criminal coronavirus-relief-fund-local-
one county even if they moved during Human Services. Personal contact of New Laws Affecting Children
Source: Minnesota Department of Apprehension, Minnesota Justice governments
the year. Children are counted in both with Dorina Nikolla and Erika Martin.
Human Services. Note: The August Note: Average monthly enrollment Information Services, Uniform Crime 10 Minnesota Housing. http://www.mnhous- and Adults with Mental
Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare
2020 waiting list was the most recent during 2020 of unique children in Report (August 2020). Note: Refers ing.gov/sites/np/covid19housingassistanc-
enrollee counts if they were enrolled in Illnesses and Their Families.
available at the time of publication. SNAP households. Includes children to arrests of juveniles age 10-17. Rate
both programs during the year. eprogramFAQ?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6PHq
Children served by Head Start or Early from MFIP Food Portion cases. Count per 1,000 is calculated by dividing the
zcft7AIVBkWGCh3HpQdCEAAYASAAEgLc https://2a392k31wksy2wkejf1y03dp-
Average monthly enrollment of number of juvenile arrests by the total
Head Start, 2018-19 of children only includes SNAP-eligible XfD_BwE wpengine.netdna-ssl.
children in MinnesotaCare, 2019 number of children ages 10-17, then
Source: Minnesota Head Start Facts children in the household.
2019, Minnesota Head Start Association.
Source: Minnesota Department of multiplying by 1,000. “Serious” crimes 11 Minnesota Department of Public Safety. com/wp-content/uploads/ The KIDS COUNT Data Center
Human Services, Reports & Forecasts Total participation in the WIC (Part I crimes) include murder, rape,
Retrieved from https://mnheadstart.org/ https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp/grants/ sites/188/2020/07/2020-Leg-
Division. Personal contact with Ray nutrition program, 2019 robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, Pages/covid-19-youth-intervention-crime-
provides state- and county-
state-fact-sheets/ on August 21, 2020. Source: Minnesota Department of
Kurth-Nelson. Note: Child’s age larceny, vehicle theft, and arson. Not victim-services-funds.aspx Summary.2nd-1.pdf.
Children served by Part C Early calculated as of July 1, 2019. Children Health, WIC Category and Race and all children arrested for serious crimes level data for all 87 counties
Intervention Services and have are counted in only one county even if Ethnicity Annual Reports. Personal may have committed these crimes, and 12 U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse 22 Ibid.
Individual Family Service Plans, 2017- they moved during the year. Children contact with Joni Geppert. Data not all children who committed serious
in Minnesota. These data are
18 are counted in both Medical Assistance retrieved from https://www.health.state. crimes may have been arrested.
Source: Minnesota Department of and MinnesotaCare enrollee counts if mn.us/people/wic/localagency/reports/ collected by KIDS COUNT
pptndemo/annual/category.html Children who died from unintentional
they were enrolled in both programs
Education. Minnesota Part C Federal
during the year. Note: WIC is officially called the Special injuries, 2018 grantees (including CDF-MN)
Fiscal Year 2017 State Performance Source: Minnesota Department of
Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Plan/Annual Performance Report. Children born to mothers who
Women, Infants, and Children. Health, Center for Health Statistics. for use in their data books and
Homeless children served by Part C, smoked during pregnancy, 2018 2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
2018-19 school year Source: Minnesota Department of Households that are “food insecure,” Personal contact with Judy Palermo. other publications. All county-
Source: Minnesota Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. 2018 2017-19
Education. Children Experiencing Minnesota County Health Tables. Note: Source: Current Population Survey, Children abused or neglected, 2019 level data that were previously
Food Security Supplement, 2017-2019. Source: Minnesota Department of
Homelessness Served by Part C Infant Births are assigned to the mother’s
and Toddler Intervention-State Fiscal county of residence, regardless of See KIDS COUNT Data Center online. Human Services. Minnesota’s Child published in the Minnesota KIDS
Maltreatment Report 2019, expected
where the birth occurred.
Year 2019 Report to the Legislature Children in families visiting food Fall 2020. COUNT Data Book are available
as required by Minnesota Statutes, Children whose mothers received late shelves, 2019
Children who committed suicide or
section 125A.125. Retrieved from https:// or inadequate prenatal care, 2018 Source: Hunger Solutions Minnesota,
were murdered, 2018
through the interactive KIDS
www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2020/ Source: Minnesota Department of 2019 Food Shelf Visits Hit Record High
mandated/200756.pdf on August 21, Health, Center for Health Statistics. 10 Years After Recession. Personal Source: Minnesota Department of COUNT Data Center website–
2020. contact with Jill Westfall. Note: Not a Health, Center for Health Statistics. 2018
2018 Minnesota County Health Tables.
Personal contact with Judy Palermo. unique count of children served. All Minnesota County Health Tables. datacenter.kidscount.org.

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