AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine ranks 13th among the states in a report measuring how well children are doing in health, education and family life.

The Kids Count report released Wednesday says that in 2010, 34 percent of Maine's children had parents without fulltime, year-round employment, an increase of 17 percent in just two years.

It says that from 2008-2010, more than 58 percent of Maine's 3- and 4-year-olds were not enrolled in a preschool program. It also found that in 2010, most of Maine's children had access to medical care and preventative services.

Claire Berkowitz of the Maine Children's Alliance and a Kids Count researcher said Maine families continue to struggle economically, and the future is negatively affected by recent state budget cuts to programs like Head Start, child care and home visiting.

 

 

 

 

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