FIGHTING CHILD POVERTY

WHEREAS, housing insecurity, unaddressed health concerns, lack of basic hygiene products, and other stigma and stressors surrounding a life of poverty affect the overall well-being and prospects of children across the United States; and

WHEREAS, 1 in 5 students are living in poverty in New York, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Ohio, Nevada, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas and Tennessee; 1 in 4 in Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana and New Mexico. In Cleveland, Syracuse, Detroit, Birmingham and Rochester, the figure is nearly 1 in 2; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that child poverty has a detrimental impact on educational outcomes, health and social mobility;[1] and

WHEREAS, child poverty disproportionately affects communities of color, compounding existing social and economic disparities; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated child poverty in our country, with many families experiencing financial hardships and increased food insecurity; and

WHEREAS, addressing child poverty is crucial for all students, since when children are worried about survival, they are unable to learn:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will advocate for increased funding for programs that provide resources to low-income families, such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Medicaid, to ensure basic needs, healthcare and nutrition; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support comprehensive policies and initiatives to address child poverty in the United States, including:

• Appropriate tax credits;
• Subsidies for low-income families during pregnancy;
• Affordable housing access for every American in need;
• Universal school meals;
• Affordable or free high-quality healthcare options;
• Enhanced access to affordable and high-quality early childhood education programs, including prekindergarten and day care services, to promote early childhood development and reduce educational disparities;
• Bringing the community schools model to more schools throughout the country, including targeted interventions and support services such as mental health counseling, after-school programs, and tutoring;
• A living wage for all workers in the U.S., as low wages contribute to the cycle of poverty and hinder upward mobility;
• Making appropriate updates to the funding formulas for public schools to ensure that schools in high-poverty areas receive adequate resources that meet the needs of their students;
• Promoting economic opportunities for parents and caregivers, such as job training programs, access to affordable higher education, and paid family leave, to help families break the cycle of poverty; and
• Increasing awareness about the prevalence and impact of poverty, particularly in communities of color, through webinars and training; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support collaboration between schools, community organizations and government agencies to address the root causes of child poverty and provide holistic support to vulnerable families; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will monitor and evaluate the implementation and impact of policies and initiatives aimed at addressing child poverty and will advocate for necessary adjustments and improvements based on the findings.

Adopted May 28, 2025