North Dakota Economic Security Alliance Forms to Bridge Economic Disparities
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NEWS RELEASE: Reports highlight North Dakota's economic disparities, vulnerable populations. Upcoming summit to focus on ways to bridge gaps
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Economic Imbalance in ND Video
Retha Colclasure
10/28/2009
North Dakota has been fairly well insulated from most of the economic problems affecting the country.
But recent events, such as Bobcat closing down its manufacturing plant in the city, prove that we`re not immune.
Within the state, some groups of people may be even more vulnerable to the recession than others.
Low income families, especially children in those families, face problems that many of us don`t.
Two recent economic studies show some disparities between that group and others.
Some groups in North Dakota say they want to find ways to help.
Head Start is a program that helps hundreds of disadvantaged children and their families get a leg up.
"All children should have access to early care and education opportunities in nurturing environments where they can learn what they need to succeed in school and life," says JoAnn Brager. She`s the vice president of West River Head Start in Mandan, one of many Head Start locations throughout the state.
"Fifty percent of head start is what the public sees," Brager says.
Through Head Start, young children learn through developmentally appropriate play. Their families also receive assistance with other social programs they might need.
But Head Start doesn`t get any state money. It runs on a combination of federal money and private support. And Head Start leaders say they could use some extra dollars.
Right now, there are 168 children in Head Start, but another 86 are on the waiting list. Without additional funding, they can`t expand, and those 86 children might not get the help they need.
Other programs that help the low-income population say they need some extra funding as well.
"In North Dakota we have seen an increase in the number of uninsured," says Renee Stromme, of North Dakota Women`s Network. "Those who lack insurance are experiencing extreme stress about medical issues and financial concerns."
An increase in coverage for the state children`s health insurance plan helps, Stromme says, but low-income pregnant women aren`t as likely to be covered.
That means many of the children in SCHIP didn`t receive proper prenatal care before they were born.
"The state needs to step up its role in health care coverage," Stromme says.
Brager, Stromme, and others say with a state budget surplus, North Dakota could, and should, find ways to address those issues.
The North Dakota Economic Security Alliance will be discussing the shortfalls that some North Dakotans face, and discuss possible solutions at a conference in Bismarck next week.
NEWS RELEASE
Reports highlight North Dakota’s
economic disparities, vulnerable populations
Upcoming Summit to focus on ways to bridge gaps
For immediate release:
October 28, 2009
For more information contact:
Paul Ronningen, Children's Defense Fund in North Dakota, 701-400-1827
Renee Stromme, North Dakota Women’s Network , 701-226-1116
Don Morrison, NDPeople.Org, 701-224-8090
BISMARCK---The North Dakota Economic Security Alliance (NDESA) said today that two recent economic studies show disturbing economic disparities, making some North Dakotans more vulnerable in the current recession. A November 5-6 Summit at the Bismarck Doublewood Inn, “Finding Opportunity/Creating Solutions: A Summit of Organizations and Leaders” will identify ways to help.
Reports by the Northwest Area Foundation and CFED, (Corporation for Enterprise Development), show that, although North Dakota has not been hit as hard by the recession as the rest of the nation, some groups are struggling to make ends meet and people expect their elected leaders to help.
“New calculations show that nearly one in six, up from one in seven, Americans live in poverty. The good news is, in North Dakota, groups are renewing proactive efforts on these issues,” said Paul Ronningen, State Coordinator of the Children's Defense Fund in North Dakota. “The North Dakota Economic Security Alliance is finding opportunities and creating solutions so that everyone can prosper. By creating policies that help people of low income working families, everyone benefits.”
“Struggling to Make Ends Meet,” a poll of 400 North Dakotans, found that nearly a quarter of the state’s families had trouble paying for food, housing and utilities in the last year. About half of those interviewed say they see more people struggling now than they did one year ago. Rural residents in particular say they have cut spending.
The CFED “Assets and Opportunities” report includes the following economic disparities:
·
Although North Dakota ranks fourth in the nation for Head Start Coverage, the state lacks a state-supported pre-kindergarten program, which would result in better educational outcomes for more children
·
Even though North Dakota ranks high in home ownership, people of color are much less likely to own their own home in North Dakota. The state ranks last in the nation in home ownership by race
·
North Dakota ranks 3rd in the nation for median credit card debt, but 46th in the nation for extreme asset poverty rate which means having zero or negative net worth
“We have Head Start classrooms in most areas of the state, but hundreds of eligible children are on waiting lists every year because of limited slots in the federal program and a lack of state funding,” said JoAnn Brager, Vice President of West River Head Start and the Vice President for Public Policy of the North Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children. “The state of North Dakota should invest in a collaborative, high quality pre-school program for all kids.”
The CFED report gives North Dakota an “F” for overall health care/insurance. Compared to other states, North Dakota is trailing far behind in policies that help people access health care and health insurance. People of color, low-income people, and women are much less likely to have health insurance. The state is rated 49th in the nation for health insurance coverage by race, 46th by income, and 47th by gender. The state is also rated 42nd in the nation for health insurance offered by employer.
The “Struggling to Make Ends Meet” report notes that North Dakotans are generally more optimistic than people in other states. Eight out of 10 North Dakotans think that the number of people struggling in their community can be reduced and 4 out of 10 want their elected leaders to do more to help.
To this end, the November 5-6 Summit sponsored by NDESA will focus on creating a policy agenda to build prosperity for all North Dakotans.
“People in North Dakota continue to fall through the cracks, and in this time of budget surplus, the state has an opportunity to make good choices,” said Renee Stromme, Director of the North Dakota Women’s Network. “Our state elected officials have an obligation to enact state policy to address these issues. The good news is that there is no need to reinvent the wheel—successful examples of policies already exist in other states.”
“Finding Opportunity/Creating Solutions: A Summit of Organizations and Leaders,” sponsored by NDESA, will be held at the Bismarck Doublewood Inn November 5-6. Anyone interested in issues of prosperity and poverty is encouraged to attend. The cost is $10 and includes 2 meals. 7 continuing education credits are available to social workers. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call Shelly 224-0588 or email shelly@agree.org to register or for more information.
To see the reports, go to:
Northwest Area Foundation “Struggling to Make Ends Meet”
Corporation for Enterprise Development “Assets and Opportunities Scorecard”
