By Francisco Alvarado
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

When it comes to providing for children, Florida is slacking big time. The latest KIDS COUNT Index ranks the Sunshine State 37th in the nation for child well-being, up one spot from 2014. Put out by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the index compiles a broad range of statistics ranging anywhere from parental education to how often parents read to their children. The data assesses how kids score on tests, how many graduate, how many end up in prison and how many die.

In Florida, the outlook is grim for people under 18. According to KIDS COUNT, Florida ranks 45th in economic well-being, 27th in education, 38th in health, and 34th in family and community.

As of 2013, 24 percent of the state’s child population lives in poverty, representing a six percent jump from 2008. The number of children whose parents lack secure employment also got worse, increasing from 28 percent in 2008 to 33 percent in 2013. The numbers are worse for African American children, with 40 percent living in poverty and 48 percent living in households where no parent has full-time, year-round employment. There are also more children living in high-poverty areas, going from 8 percent between 2006 and 2009 to 14 percent between 2009 and 2013.

Florida's poorest children .  Graph by KIDS COUNT.

Florida’s poorest children .
Graph by KIDS COUNT.

Education and health factors for children have improved slightly. The number of children without health insurance went down from 18 percent in 2008 to 11 percent in 2012, as did the mortality rate. In 2013, 25 per 100,000 children in Florida died compared to 31 per 100,000 in 2008. Also, the rate of high school students not graduating on time went from 33 percent in 2008 to 25 percent in 2013.