South Dakota Child Well-Being Ranking Declines, Experts Warn of Growing Concerns
PIERRE, SD – South Dakota has dropped five spots to 26th in the annual national ranking of child well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s latest Kids Count Data Book. Experts highlight several troubling trends affecting the state’s youth.
In the report, South Dakota ranked 27th in family and community support, with an increase in children living in single-parent households. Xanna Burg, Kids Count director for South Dakota, noted a lack of progress in areas like economic stability and education. “Data is either stagnant or trending in the wrong direction,” she remarked.
In 2022, voters approved expanding Medicaid, aiming to improve health coverage for children. However, the end of federal pandemic rules led to thousands of eligible kids being removed from Medicaid rolls. This issue is compounded by Congress’ ongoing discussions about restricting safety-net programs, prompting calls for state lawmakers to consider the potential repercussions for South Dakota’s youth.
National data shows a 5% increase in adolescents aged 16 to 19 who are neither in school nor working, a concerning trend mirrored in South Dakota. Leslie Boissiere of the Casey Foundation emphasized the importance of prioritizing this critical stage of development, advocating for programs like internships and apprenticeships as pathways to workforce readiness.
Additionally, South Dakota children are lagging behind in reading and math proficiency in lower grades. While researchers commend state lawmakers for increasing discussions around early childhood support, they urge South Dakota to invest more substantially to catch up with neighboring states.
As experts stress the importance of proactive measures, the time for action is critical to ensure a brighter future for South Dakota’s children.
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