Rochester Voice 10:54 a.m.
Monday, July 7, 2025 10:54 am
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New Hampshire was recenlty named as the top-ranked state for overall child well-being in the 2025 Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT Data Book.
The 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, a 50-state report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, presents national and state data from 16 indicators in four domains - economic well-being, education, health, and family and community factors - and ranks states according to how children are faring. .
"I'm proud to see New Hampshire once again rank as the best state for child wellbeing," said Governor Kelly Ayotte. "It's a testament to the great work being done at every level to strengthen our schools, connect families in need with critical health services and child care, and protect our most vulnerable. Together, we will continue to give families the freedom and opportunity to thrive."
"Investments in kids today build strong families and communities tomorrow," said DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver. "Together with our stakeholders and community partners, we will continue to do the work that set the bar for this recognition, so that children and families in communities across the state have the services and supports they need to be successful."
In recent years, DHHS has launched a number of programs and initiatives to support New Hampshire children and families, including:
- Partnerships with nine New Hampshire Community Health Centers, which serve over 23,000 youth under the age of 21 annually with integrated primary care services, physical and mental health support, and connections to resources such as housing, food access, and insurance coverage;
- Expansion of income eligibility guidelines for New Hampshire's Child Care Scholarship program, giving more families access to affordable child care;
- Funding for Family Resource Centers, which provide statewide support for parents, guardians, and caregivers to identify their needs and connect them with resources in their communities. Services include parent education, home visiting programs, kinship caregiver support, and connection to state assistance programs, such SNAP, Medicaid, and WIC. Family Resource Centers serve over 7,000 Granite State families each year.
- Working with health care providers and insurers to ensure more young children in New Hampshire are screened for lead poisoning to ensure they live and play in healthy homes and environments;
- Partnerships with Community Health Clinics across the state to provide access to preventative health services that help support the lowest teen pregnancy rate in the nation. New Hampshire's teen birth rate is currently at 4.5 births per thousand teen girls ages 15-19, compared to the national average of 13.1 births per thousand.
In addition to the highest overall ranking, New Hampshire earned the top ranking in the categories of family and community and health, second in economic well-being, and fourth in education. The report showed increases in factors that enhance the quality of life for New Hampshire children, including fewer parents lacking secure employment, more children with health insurance, and fewer teen births.
To view the full, interactive 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, please visit https://www.aecf.org/interactive/databook.