An annual surveyfinds the rate of child abuse and neglect in Michigan has risen substantially in the last decade.
The Michigan League for Public Policyreports fewer Michigan children live in poverty now than in 2010, the baseline year for data collection.
However, the number of children living in families under investigation for abuse and neglect has risen sharply – nearly 72 percent – and confirmed cases are up by 33 percent.
Kids Count director Kelsey Perdue says those figures don’t account for the recent social stress of the coronavirus.
“So, I think that’s a great indicator of what need areas we already have with children, and what will be some of the biggest needs that will be following this pandemic,” Perdue says.
Other issues such as food insecurity and elementary literacy rates remain top concerns that Perdue says should be reflected in state budget priorities.