New RI KIDS COUNT report comes with stark warning. A look at the biggest concerns

Federally-funded programs that support the well-being of tens of thousands of children are under threat

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• From SNAP to Medicaid and school meals, children in the state could lose access to crucial services
• The report also highlighted that children in the state have experienced some setbacks to their wellbeing in recent years

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, a nonprofit that tracks the well-being of children in the state, released its 31st annual report on Monday, May 5.

In many ways, this year’s report was similar to years prior: replete with charts, tables and statistics that paint a portrait of how children are faring economically, educationally and health-wise in the state.

The newest report, however, came with a stark warning:

“Children need stability, care, and opportunity to thrive. However, many programs that Rhode Island children and families rely on are currently under threat,” said the report’s executive summary.

In fact, the summary argues, tens of thousands of children could lose benefits that provide access to education, health care and meals through federally-funded programs.

Among these are:

• Nearly 45,000 children on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
• Nearly 118,000 children enrolled in RIte Care, Rhode Island’s Medicaid/CHIP health insurance program
• Over 35,000 children who participated in the School Breakfast Program
• Nearly 76,000 students – more than half the students in the state – who participated in the National School Lunch Program
• 1,438 children enrolled in Head Start, a federally-funded early childhood program for preschool children who are low income or have high needs

Several of these programs could see cuts as Congress mulls over several budgetary bills.

DEI under threat, report warns

The report also warned that President Donald Trump’s administration is targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, cutting funding for initiatives that have the terms in their programs.

Population data indicates Rhode Island is becoming a more racially diverse state. In 2020, nearly half (47%) of all children under 18 were American Indian, Asian, Black, Hispanic, Pacific Islander or two or more races combined, compared to just 28% of adults.

Economic disparities also persist between races. Black and Hispanic children were over three times more likely to be in poverty than White children, according to data from 2019-2023.

“Unacceptable disparities will continue to persist among children and families if equity and equitable policies and investments are removed,” the executive summary said.

Room for improvement

Threats to federally funded programs come as children in the state have experienced some setbacks to their well-being in recent years.

For example, the number of children who were homeless increased by 13%, from 1,739 in the 2022-2023 school year to 1,966 in the 2023-2024 school year.

Child poverty also increased from 11.7% in 2022 to 13.3% in 2023 (though it is down from 15% in 2021).

And the percentage of children without health insurance climbed from 2.1% in 2022 to 3.3% in 2023.