National report shines spotlight on how kids, families faring during pandemic

A national report is shining a spotlight on how kids and families are faring during this pandemic.

The news is not good for Rhode Island -- the state is in the bottom 10 in three of four categories.

Local advocacy agency Rhode Island Kids Count Broke it down for NBC 10 News.

"Unlike some of the data we use, this data is based on what they call a census pulse survey where they survey families in real-time," said Elizabeth Burke Bryant, executive director of Rhode Island Kids Count.

She said when it comes to food and housing security and mental health, Rhode Island is lagging behind the national average.

"Nearly one in five families with children, or about 18 percent, said that in the most recent week, there was sometimes or always not enough to eat in their household compared to the U.S. average of 14 percent," said Bryant.

The enhanced supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits are making a difference, along with the food bank. But more outreach, she said, is needed.

Housing security is another issue with nearly one in four households not sure if they'd be able to make their next rent or mortgage payment.

"The housing issue is very firmly on the radar screen," said Bryant.

"There's an urgency now, there's an urgency about housing and with precarious employment situations, families losing jobs, the risk gets higher," she said.

The mental health of children is another concern with one in four reporting feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.

The Kids Link hotline continues to make a difference by being able to talk to someone during a mental health crisis. It's getting in to see a professional after that call that can be the challenge.

In all three of these categories, African American and Latino children are disproportionately impacted. Bryant said that should serve as a wake-up call.

The news, though, isn't all bad.

When it comes to affordable health care for children, Bryant said Rhode Island is doing better than the national average.

OTHER RESOURCES

To learn how to apply for school meals, click here.

To find a summer food service site near you, click here.

The Rhode Island Food Bank has information on other sources of food assistance for children and families. Click here to learn more.