Examining the Impact of Unemployment on Children and Youth

One in seven American children has an unemployed parent as a result of the current recession, according to a new brief from First Focus Campaign for Children. The brief finds that children are twice as likely to be affected by unemployment as adults. Families of the Recession: Unemployed Parents & Their Children also finds that children with an unemployed parent are more likely to experience homelessness and child abuse, and to drop out of high school or college. Among the recommendations in the report are proposals to implement a state education fund of at least $23 billion to address educational needs of children and appropriate $1.5 billion through the Workforce Investment Act youth program to support year-round youth employment opportunities.

Download the report from the Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity at:  http://www.spotlightonpoverty.org/consequences_of_poverty.aspx