Children living in families with poverty-level incomes are partially supported through CalWORKs, a welfare program that provides cash assistance and services to eligible, needy California families to help pay for housing, food and other necessary expenses. Families’ eligibility may be useful in understanding the economic conditions of an area.

Research has shown that children who grow up in families with poverty-level incomes may not have the physical, social and emotional supports necessary to ensure their well-being and development. Academic success can also be affected by poverty. In 2002, a family of four was classified as living below 100% of the Federal Poverty Threshold if their annual income was less than $18,245.

Approximately one-half of all children in Los Angeles County live in low-income families. Income is a powerful determinant of a family’s ability to afford basic necessities: food, housing, utilities, transportation, and health insurance. In 2002, a family of four was classified as low-income (living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Threshold) if their annual income was less than $36,489.

An especially effective mechanism for boosting the earnings of low-income families has been the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which supplements income through a refundable tax credit for low-wage earners. The Children’s Planning Council believes the EITC can help reduce the number of children living below the poverty level.

Inadequate food and nutrition is detrimental to a child’s health. Research demonstrates that a nutritious and well-balanced diet is crucial for appropriate brain and physical development in young children. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children in low-income families each school day.