Children in poverty rising 10-05-2010

THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU REPORTS THE RATE OF CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY IS ON THE RISE, AND MISSISSIPPI IS NOT IMMUNE.  THE CENSUS BUREAU SHOWS THAT IN 2009, OVER 46 MILLION AMERICANS LIVED IN POVERTY, AN INCREASE FROM 2008 WHERE POVERTY LEVELS WERE AT 39.8 MILLION. FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, THIS MEANS THEY MAKE NO MORE THAN $22,050 ANNUALLY.  REGIONAL PROGRAM OFFICER LATISHA LATIKER FROM THE CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND SAYS LACK OF STATE ASSISTED CHILD CARE OR TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE OFTEN LEAVES FAMILIES WITHOUT THE MEANS TO WORK AND CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.  LATIKER ALSO SAYS THE SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS NEED JUST TO GET AN INITIAL START IN THE ECONOMY ARE SORELY LACKING IN THE STATE, SAYING A STATE-FUNDED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WILL HELP PREVENT FURTHER LONG-TERM POVERTY ISSUES IN MISSISSIPPI.  HOWEVER, LATIKER ADDS THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN ALL CHILDREN'S LIVES, NOT JUST THOSE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.