Family Economics

CDF advocates for the implementation and strengthening of policies and programs that will lift families out of poverty. Ohio has nearly 506,000 children living below the poverty line. Research indicates that family economic security and the well-being of children go hand in hand.

Poor children are more likely to experience a range of negative outcomes: low academic achievement, health problems, early pregnancy, homelessness, and lower high school graduation rates. Family structure contributes significantly to the economic status of children. Children living in single parent households are much more likely to be poor. A mother of two who works full time making minimum wage earns about $14,248 a year or $1,187 a month. This sum is almost $2,352 less than the amount needed for her to be able to lift herself and her family out of poverty.

In addition to traditional supports for low-income families such as Medicaid, child care and cash assistance, CDF-OH believes the revision of the Tax Code is fundamental to the reduction of poverty in Ohio. Addressing this structural deficit and creating a more equitable distribution of the tax burden between businesses and individuals is paramount. This includes the consideration of establishing a refundable Ohio Earned Income Tax Credit that will put more resources into the pockets of low-income families, stimulate the Ohio economy, and potentially lift thousands of Ohio children out of poverty.