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Fall 2006

Data recently released by the Census Bureau on August 29, 2006 show a disturbing increase in poverty rates for children living in rural America. Carsey Institute analysis of the data finds rural child poverty rates have increased between 2000 and 2005 in forty-one states. In eighteen states, the increase in the rural child poverty rate was higher than the increase in the overall U.S. rural child poverty rate during this same five-year period.

This rise in rural child poverty signals important changes in children's quality of life and life chances. Children growing up in rural America continue to have a greater chance of being born into or raised in poverty than their counterparts in the cities. Clearly many families, especially those living in places in the South long plagued by persistent poverty, are struggling to support their families, and rural children are paying the price.

Five states (Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arizona, and Alabama) had rural child poverty rates above 30 percent last year. This is a terrible indictment of our social policies. Rigorous evaluation research has shown how investments to help the poor can pay off, and we know child poverty levels are far lower in other industrialized nations because of good policies that invest in children

We need to invest in rural children in America, not leave them behind.

Sincerely,
Cynthia 'Mil' Duncan

Rural Children Continue to Live in Poverty
As mentioned above, the recent Census numbers illuminated how many of our rural children are living in poverty. While poverty is often thought of as an urban, inner-city problem, that's clearly not the case. Numerous newspapers reported on the Carsey Institute's coverage of the Census Bureau numbers, including the New York Times and the Associated Press.
To learn more, read:
The Carsey Institute fact sheet with state-by-state numbers
Media coverage

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Report on Substance Abuse in Rural and Small Town America

Meth abuse may grab the most headlines, but the Carsey Institute's most recent report found that alcohol abuse is the leading substance abuse problem in rural America, especially among rural youth. While the abuse of methamphetamine is higher in rural areas than in urban areas, it is overshadowed by alcohol abuse. Substance abuse treatment programs that are specifically tailored for rural populations, as well as increased staff and treatment centers, are two ways to more successfully help those dealing with alcohol and drug abuse programs, the report finds. The Bangor Daily News covered the findings, and a Carsey Institute op-ed, as well as an editorial, ran in the Manchester Union Leader. In addition, the report author was interviewed on New Hampshire Public Radio and a number of other local stations. Tom Rowley's syndicated RUPRI column also covered the substance abuse report.
Download the report
Read the press release
Read the media coverage

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Avoiding the Money Trap Briefing Draws Attention to Payday Loans

Earlier this summer, the Carsey Institute co-hosted a special screening and discussion of Avoiding the Money Trap, a documentary that highlights financial money traps that often ensnare low-income families in rural America. The briefing resulted in a front page article in the Nashua Telegraph. The Associated Press picked up the story, which then appeared in a variety of New Hampshire and Boston area papers.
Read the article
Order Avoiding the Money Trap

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Rural Families Choose Home-Based Child Care for their Preschool-Aged Children

Third in a series of policy briefs developed by the Carsey Institute, this brief examines who is taking care of pre-schoolers of employed mothers in rural America. While most rural families choose home-based child care (such as relatives or informal non-related care providers), formal care (such as in day care centers) has positive benefits for a child's development. The brief recommends that programs are needed that either make formal care more affordable and accessible in rural communities, or that train home-based care providers to provide quality care.
Download the report

To order printed copies of any of the policy briefs or reports, contact Amy Seif at amy.seif@unh.edu or 603-862-4650.

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Predatory Lending Report

Carsey is working with two nonprofit organizations - the Housing Assistance Council in Washington, D.C. and Coastal Enterprises of Maine - to document mortgage-related predatory lending practices in rural America. The policy brief will include an analysis of the most recent Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data for rural America, as well as a more in-depth case study of predatory lending and policy options in Maine.

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Immigration Settlements in Rural America Focus of Upcoming Report

At a time when immigration is a prime topic in the news, rural sociologist Leif Jensen explores immigration by Hispanics and other ethnic groups in an upcoming report, New Immigrant Settlements in Rural America: Problems, Prospects and Policies. The report examines characteristics about new immigrants and their effect on the rural communities where they are settling.

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Issue Brief Explores Alternative Energy Sources

While prices at the gas pump remain high, there is more and more attention to alternative sources that are better for the planet and provide economic opportunities in rural America. An upcoming Carsey issue brief explores biofuels - developed from natural resources, including plants, trees, municipal waste and other organic biomass materials. The brief examines policies and incentives that could be put into place to reduce this industry's impact on the environment, as well as recommendations on how small towns and rural communities can benefit from biofuel advances.

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Carsey Institute, University of New Hampshire
Newsletter is produced by:
The Hatcher Group
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301-656-0348
http://www.thehatchergroup.com

Newsletter editors:
Ed Hatcher ed@thehatchergroup.com
Amy Beall amy@thehatchergroup.com