Minnesota continues to be one of the best states in the nation for children, but the latest snapshot on their well-being shows some areas of concern. The state is ranked fourth overall in the latest KIDS COUNT Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, but several areas worsened over the past year:

• The number of children in poverty grew to 15 percent.
• Minnesota’s child health ranking went from 7th last year to 15th this year.
• The percentage of fourth graders not proficient in reading increased from 62 percent to 65 percent.

Read more about the Kids Count report at the following links:

• Children’ s Defense Fund
  
• KIDS COUNT: Minnesota children rank No. 4 in well-being – KMSP-TV
• Minnesota Public Radio