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| Image from: ncsl.org |
As a whole, individuals generally understand and know that welfare programs are based on state and governmental funds. This graph and subsequent article (make sure to change the state to Ohio once on the webpage) explain how the funding is broken down for child welfare programs specific to Ohio based on the "Federal, State and Local Spending to Address Child Abuse and Neglect in SFY 2012 report from Child Trends".
When looking at some of the other states' funding (located on ncsl.org), Ohio spends a decent amount more on child welfare programs than several other states. Yet, an article from the Columbus Dispatch states that there are 53,000 more children living in poverty and that Ohio's rate has increase to 23% from 18% in 2008 as reported by the Kids Count data released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Did you realize that this much money is spent in child welfare programs in Ohio or that they are broken down in this way? How do you think that our funding impacts our child poverty rates? Do you think it could it be changed to better meet the needs of Ohio's children?
I think we need to be doing something differently with our funding if we're spending more than other states, but we have more kids living in poverty that should tell us that what we're currently doing is ineffective. This is especially appalling considering that the largest amount of federal funding is coming from Medicaid which is specifically designed to assist those in poverty, children in particular.
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