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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Report Ranks OK Among Worst in Child Well-Being

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Monday, June 19, 2023   

Oklahoma ranks in the bottom five in a new report on child well-being.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count Data Book ranks the state 46th overall. The ranking is based on four indicators in 2021: economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.

Carly Putnam - policy director for the Oklahoma Policy Institute - said state lawmakers have focused on ensuring Oklahoma has low taxes for businesses, but are failing to address another issue that impacts families: the high costs of child care.

"There's really a lot of factors that go into whether or not someone can actually work a job and raise a child somewhere," said Putnam. "And what those numbers show is that for all of our efforts to be a business-friendly state, we're actually maybe focusing on the wrong things."

Oklahoma families spend more than $8,300 a year on center-based child care.

The state's worst indicator is in education, scoring 49th. Its highest ranking is in health, at 37th.

Leslie Boissiere, vice president for external affairs at the Casey Foundation, said the U.S. needs a functional child care system.

"The country has never had a childcare system that is affordable and accessible to families, and also pays a family-sustaining wage to workers," said Boissiere. "And it's imperative that we invest in a childcare system that can work not only for kids and families, but also for our businesses and the economy."

Putnam said Oklahoma received its highest ranking in health because voters passed Medicaid expansion. She said this is proof the state can improve in other areas as well.

"We know that when we do put forward concentrated investments," said Putnam, "we can turn this around."

Disclosure: The Annie E. Casey Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Education, Juvenile Justice, and Welfare Reform. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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