A recent fact sheet, State Baby Facts: Wisconsin, from ZERO TO THREE provides an interesting picture of Wisconsin’s infants and toddlers, with 70 facts provided with citations.  Here are some examples:

Basics

• Population: There are 212,019 infants and toddlers in Wisconsin.
• Well-being:  Wisconsin ranks 15^th among all states for child well-being.
• Single parents: 32% of infants and toddlers in Wisconsin live with a single parent.
• Low-income: 42% of children under age 3 in Wisconsin live in low-income families.

Early Learning Experiences

• Working moms: 73% of mothers with infants in Wisconsin are in the labor force.
• Cost of care: In Wisconsin the cost of child care for an infant is 44% of a single mother’s median income and 13% of a two-parent family’s median income.
• Parent engagement: 59% of parents in Wisconsin tell stories and sing to their 0-5-year-old each day.

Health and Nutrition

• Insurance: 4.3% of Wisconsin’s young children under 6 don’t have health insurance.
• Immunization: 83% of Wisconsin’s 2-year-olds are fully immunized.
• SNAP:  16% of SNAP recipients are under age 5.

Strong Families

• Maltreatment: 24% of children in Wisconsin who are maltreated are under age 3.
• Grandparents: 49% of WI children living with their grandparents are under age 6.
• Foster Care: 28% of children in Wisconsin entering foster care are under age 3.
• Home visiting: 12.6% of Wisconsin families participate in a home visitation program.

Dave Edie