Child poverty growing 14 percent in New Jersey
The latest “Kids Count” report shows more children in New Jersey are living in families that are struggling to make ends meet.
The annual survey by Advocates for Children of New Jersey finds about a third of the young people in the Garden State live in households that earn too little to meet their basic needs. Executive director Cecila Zalkind says that’s 14 percent higher than five years ago.
“I think we’re beginning to see the fallout from the economic downturn in 2008,” said Zalkind. “Child poverty over the years has gone up steadily since 2008. What we’re seeing now is a far deeper pocket than we anticipated and far greater need.”
Zalkind says low-income residents are having trouble finding full time-jobs. She’s wants more money for state funded child care that would help parents devote more time to work.
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