[Vision2020] Reality of Poverty in Idaho

[Tom Trail]

Visionaires:    During this holiday of Thanksgiving, we should also reflect
on the current reality of poverty in Idaho.

Economic Poverty

  . 19 out of every 100 children live in poverty.

  . Idaho has the highest percentage (29%) of young adults, ages 18-24,
    living in  poverty of any state in the U.S.

  . A Tufts University Center on Hunger and Poverty report ranks Idaho's
    welfare laws 51st (compared to all other states and the District of
    Columbia) when ranied on the likelihood to support families' efforts
    to become self-sufficient.

  . 63% of Idaho 3 & 4 year olds do not attend a preschool program due to
    availability and affordability, leaving them unprepared to enter
    kindergarten.

  . Low-income parents make up almost half of Idaho's working population.
    The parents in these families work for low wages, often without the
    ability to afford health insurance, quality child care and early education-
    three key elements that young children need to succeed in school and
    become productive, contributing citizens.

  . In Idaho, a living wage for a family of 4 (2 parents and 2 children-one
    program working) is $20.98 per hour.  Only 17% of current jobs in Idaho pay
    this wage.

  . Of local interest, approximately 20% of University of Idaho staff, are
    at or below the poverty level for the area.

Poverty of Relationship and Meaning

. Drug arrests are up 144%

. The suicide rate is 22 people per 100,000, compared to the national
   suicide rate of 11 people per 100,---.

. Idaho's elders face isolaton due to lack of mobility, relationships and
   adequate resources.

. By 2025, 20% of Idaho's population will be over age 65 and Idaho will
   have the greatest number of people over age 85 per capita than any
   other state.

(statistics are from the U.S. Census 2000, the Annie E. Casey Idaho Kids Count
  Report 2005 and the 2006 Idaho Job Gap Report from the Northwest Federation
  of Community Organizations)

Rep. Tom Trail
-- 
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
1375 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel:  (208) 882-6077
Fax:  (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail at moscow.com