Summary: A report from Kids Count, an annual child wellness report fro the Annie E. Casey Foundation, reveals that students in Missouri and Kansas are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, with 20% in Missouri and 27% in Kansas chronically absent in the 2021-2022 school year. Both states have seen high rates of children experiencing at least one traumatic event, impacting their readiness to learn and contributing to ongoing struggles with math and reading proficiency. Despite fewer children living in high-poverty areas and improvements in economic measures since 2019, concerns about rising food insecurity and limited public resources persist. Additionally, the report highlights increasing child and teen mortality rates, particularly due to fentanyl overdoses, indicating lasting mental health impacts from the pandemic.
Source: NPR
Date: June 26, 2024
