Tennessee’s overall rank among states in child well-being is holding steady despite improvements in several areas, including students who stay in school, graduation rates and children who live in homes with parents who have high school diplomas, according to a new report.
The report – the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2018 Kids Count Data Book – released Wednesday ranks each state in four categories: economic well-being, education, health and, family and community.
Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama all rank in the bottom half of states in every category, but Tennessee state officials are celebrating the state’s highest ranking – 27th in health.
“The state has put particular focus on infant health and on improvements in early education,” said Rose Naccarato, Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth Kids Count director, in a statement.
“Tennessee’s early adoption of expanded TennCare and CoverKids for children has contributed to a strong ranking on its health domain over the years. As other states have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, this advantage has waned. Though most low-income children still have access to TennCare or CoverKids, their parents are often unaware because they themselves are not eligible,” she added.