OKPOLICY.ORG
KIDS COUNT
We are the Oklahoma affiliate of the KIDS COUNT Network, a group of state-based child advocacy and research organizations that use data to promote smart policies on issues ranging from child welfare and juvenile justice to education and economic opportunity.
For the latest numbers on child well-being in Oklahoma and other states, see the KIDS COUNT Data Center and the 2019 KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
If you have any questions about our KIDS COUNT work, contact OK Policy’s KIDS COUNT Coordinator Rebecca Fine, rfine@okpolicy.org.
KIDS COUNT Reports
Providing food security for Oklahoma students who might otherwise go without meals
In response to this need, OSDE received approval for waivers to allow schools to provide “grab and go” meals at no cost to low-income students who qualify for free and reduced-priced lunch through the Summer Food Service Program. [More...]
Child care plays pivotal role during health crisis
By staying open, child care centers make it possible for those workers with children to carry out these important roles. Below are some policy measures that can support keeping child care centers open during the COVID-19 health emergency. [More...]
Black and Latino children in Oklahoma are still more likely to live in concentrated poverty
A new KIDS COUNT Data Snapshot shows that many children in Oklahoma live in high-poverty communities that often lack these vital necessities. In Oklahoma, Black and Latino children are more than four times as likely to live in areas of concentrated poverty (census tracts where 30 percent or more of the population lives in poverty). [More...]
Justice reinvestment offers a model to support vulnerable Oklahoma youth
Oklahoma should take advantage of declining youth incarceration to reinvest in services — such as therapy, substance use treatment, education, and family supports — for justice-involved youth. [More...]
This Constitution Day, remember what counts
Over 230 years ago, the authors of the American constitution understood the importance of the Census. The Census is no less important today. [More...]
Federal funding increases are making quality child care more affordable for Oklahoma families
A new report from Oklahoma Policy Institute finds that new federal grant funding is making affordable child care a reality for more Oklahomans. [More...]
Expansion in Federal Funding is Improving Access and Quality in Oklahoma’s Child Care Subsidy Program
In fiscal year 2019, Oklahoma’s child care subsidy program operated by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) received a $32 million increase in federal funding, which represents a 36 percent increase from the previous year. With Oklahoma continuing its state commitment to the subsidy program, OKDHS was able to significantly improve provider rates, invest in training for providers, and reduce costs and expand eligibility for Oklahoma families. [More...]New KIDS COUNT Data Book ranks Oklahoma in bottom 10 states for child well-being
Oklahoma ranks in the bottom 10 states in the nation for child well-being, according to the 2019 KIDS COUNT® Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. With an overall ranking of 42nd out of all 50 states,… Read more [More...]
FY 2020 Budget Highlights
Without accounting for inflation, next year’s appropriations will be the largest in state history, surpassing the $7.567 billion budget in FY 2019.
When adjusted for inflation, next year’s budget remains 10.2 percent below the budget of FY 2009 and 14.9 percent less than the peak year of FY 2007. [More...]
Budget Overview: The rebuilding project continues
Overall, it's best to think of this budget as a second step on what needs to be a long journey. When adjusted for inflation, this budget is still 10.1 percent below the FY 2009 level. Over half of state agencies still have lower budgets than they did in FY 2009 without accounting for inflation. [More...]