Kids
Recent
Relief Is on the Way: Part I—State and Local Funding from the American Rescue Plan
The passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the availability of significant new federal revenue gives Massachusetts a once-in-a-generation opportunity. With thoughtful choices, these …
Bringing in the Relief: The Census Counts for Equity (updated)
As far as most of us are concerned, the 2020 Census has been over for months. There have been far more important concerns over this …
Where’s the Relief? The Distribution of Federal Funding in Massachusetts
As difficult as this past year has been, it would have been worse without the more than $70 billion in federal relief to Massachusetts so …
Kids Count Data Center
MassBudget is home to KIDS COUNT in Massachusetts, a national and state-by-state effort funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to track and improve the well-being of children across the United States. With these data, state organizations provide policy analysis based on evidence and shine a spotlight on pressing issues in order improve programs and policies for children and families.
ALL KIDS REPORTS
Testimony to the Economic Roundtable: We must ensure collective well-being and economic security in the Commonwealth
Read the full testimony from our President, Marie-Frances Rivera, for the Massachusetts Legislature’s April Virtual Economic Roundtable, originally scheduled for April 7, 2020.
Keeping Promises and Investing in Our Recovery: Why We Must Fund the Student Opportunity Act
With statewide school closures, we must ensure that children are safe, fed, and do not fall behind. Learn how COVID-19 is impacting the Student Opportunity Act, and what can be done to ensure that all schools have enough resources to fully support each and every child when they reopen their doors.
Spotlight on Equity: Testing and Treatment for Everyone, Regardless of Income, Health Insurance Coverage, or Immigration Status
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic exposes disparities in our health care system. It also highlights how interconnected we are to each …
How Should Mass. Respond to the COVID-19 Crisis?
We Must Provide Robust Economic Relief and Recovery for Vulnerable Populations and Children in Massachusetts Policy is the lever that we can pull to bring …
Why the Count Counts: Federal Funding and the 2020 Census
Our latest brief, Why the Count Counts, outlines the generational impacts a complete and accurate count of every Massachusetts resident will have in the 2020 Census, federal funds that would be directly affected, and more.
Opportunity Delayed: FY 2021 Governor’s Budget for K-12 Funding Falls Short by $74M for Low-Income Kids
As part of implementing the Commonwealth’s new school funding law, the Student Opportunity Act (SOA), the Governor proposed increasing Chapter 70 aid by $303.5 million over current levels in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget. In this first year, the Governor delivers on one-seventh (14 percent) of the SOA reforms in most areas—special education, health care for educators, social-emotional support, and increments for English Language Learners—keeping those reforms on track for full implementation in seven years. However, not all of the SOA reforms are consistently or equitably phased in by the Governor’s proposal despite this goal being outlined in the law. One critical area that is not on track—increased support for students from low-income families through Low-Income Rates.
Case Study: Increasing Quality After-School Opportunities in Salem, Massachusetts
Without sufficient funding, communities across the Commonwealth face challenges in helping all students, particularly those most in need of additional support, gain access to affordable, quality after-school opportunities. This report aims to provide tailored guidance to one community, Salem, Massachusetts, on how to provide services to more youth. This includes evaluating its current after-school landscape, compiling data from local providers, applying lessons learned from after-school efforts across the country, and providing recommendations on how Salem can expand access to quality after-school.
FY 2021 BUDGET PREVIEW: Delivering on the K-12 Education Funding Overhaul & the Student Opportunity Act (SOA)
Now that the state has revamped its education funding formula, how will lawmakers fund these changes in this first year of implementation?
FY 2021 BUDGET PREVIEW: Will the Governor reboot his dependent deduction proposal or take a more targeted approach?
Will the Governor again propose to double the state’s dependent deduction, which wasn’t adopted by the Legislature, or will state lawmakers provide more targeted tax support for working families with greater need?
Impact of the Increase in the Massachusetts Minimum Wage to $12.75
These infographics show the impacts of the increase in the Massachusetts minimum wage on January 1, 2020, from $12 to $12.75 per hour.
Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward for the Children and Families of Massachusetts
Data describing our communities document that opportunity is not equally available to children and families across the Commonwealth. While effective public policy removes obstacles along the road to opportunity, good jobs play a central role in paving that road. Yet economic policies have allowed wages to stagnate, and important work support programs and other essential benefits that allow children and families to thrive are at risk, especially as a result of recent federal policy.
Massachusetts Poverty Rate and Median Income Improved in 2018, but Not by Enough
The United States is in the midst of the longest economic expansion in its history, following the Great Recession with sustained recovery. Massachusetts’ economy today exemplifies this, highlighted by continued job growth and a very low unemployment rate that is consistently below the national level. If a rising tide lifts all boats, we should see all Massachusetts residents benefiting, but this isn’t the case.
Credit Where Credit is Due: The EITC and CTC – two proven tools to keep low-paid workers out of poverty
One of the most successful ways to lift people out of poverty is through tax credits targeted to low- and moderate-income families. Families use these credits to reduce their income taxes or receive a refund check. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) are two widely successful tax credit programs for improving family economic security and well-being — combined, the credits lift more people out of poverty than any other federal program except Social Security. Nonetheless, there are opportunities to make these programs even better.
KIDS COUNT ADVISORY COUNCIL
Kathryn Audette
Director of Government Affairs, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Michael Curry, CHAIR
Executive Committee, National Board of Directors NAACP
President & CEO, Mass. League of Community Health Centers
Mass. Budget and Policy Center Board
Suzanne Curry
Co-Director of Policy and Government Relations, Health Care for All
Joe Diamond
Executive Director, Mass. Association for Community Action
Titus dos Remedios
Director of Research and Policy, Strategies for Children
Susan Elsen
Staff Attorney, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba
Executive Director, Children’s HealthWatch
Rebekah Gewirtz
Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers – Mass. Chapter
Marianna Islam
Director of Programs & Advocacy, Schott Foundation
Lisa Lambert
Executive Director, Parent/Professional Advocacy League
Erin McAleer
CEO, Project Bread
Tammy Mello
Executive Director, Children’s League of Massachusetts
Shannon Moore
Director of State Govt. Relations, Children’s Hospital
Kevin Murray
Executive Director, Mass. Advocates for Children
Amy O’Leary
Early Education for All Campaign Director, Strategies for Children
Carlene Pavlos
Executive Director, Mass. Public Health Association
Pam Nourse
Executive Director, Federation for Children with Special Needs
Norma Shapiro
Citizens for Public Schools
Leon Smith
Executive Director, Citizens for Juvenile Justice
