Kids Count highlights highs and lows: Poverty rates down, but so are grad rates, for Beltrami County in annual report

BEMIDJI -- For Beltrami County children, poverty rates are down, but so are graduation rates.

The annual Kids Count study conducted by Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota was released this week and shows a county improving in some key areas related to child care and declining in others -- lagging behind state averages nearly across the board.

Beltrami County’s child poverty rate dropped from 28 percent in last year’s study to 27.3 percent, with fewer children receiving SNAP (food stamps) and free- or reduced-price lunch at school.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/education/3880966-kids-count-highlights-highs-and-lows-poverty-rates-down-so-are-grad-rates