Oklahoma ranks near the bottom nationally for child well-being, according to the 2026 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Groups tracking child wellness metrics said the rankings show state lawmakers need to do more to pass policies to provide resources for children. The report placed Oklahoma close to the bottom in areas related to education, health and economic well-being.

Carly Putnam, policy director and Kids Count coordinator for the Oklahoma Policy Institute, said the low scores do not mean Oklahoma children are failing. She stressed they showed state leaders need to do more to support them.

“Oklahoma isn't lacking for dedicated educators, and parents, and nonprofits, and churches, and communities doing important work,” Putnam emphasized. “However, we know that individual effort can't replace a strong system and smart policy choices.”

Putnam noted Oklahoma ranked among the top half of states in some poverty categories and improved from last year in the family and community category. She argued state leaders should view funding for programs such as after-school care and nutrition services not as expenses but as investments in the state’s future.

Leslie Boissiere, vice president of external affairs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which issued the report, said there are proven policies to support families when costs for food, housing and other essentials rise. She pointed to Congress’ 2021 expansion of the Child Tax Credit.

“We saw a historic low rate of poverty for children,” Boissiere reported. “It declined to 5%. The next year when those child tax credits expired, it spiked again back up to 13%.”

Boissiere added the report showed nationwide, fewer children are living in high-poverty areas, including in Oklahoma. Oklahoma ranked 44th overall for child well-being.

Source: Public News Service