The latest report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count reveals concerning statistics about child well-being in South Dakota, particularly for American Indian and Alaska Native children.
While 27% of Native children in the U.S. live in poverty, over 50% of Native children in South Dakota face the same issue. Overall, South Dakota ranks 10th in the nation for child economic well-being but falls behind in other areas such as education (27th), health (26th), and family/community well-being (24th).
The state also ranks 44th for the percentage of 3-4 year-olds in preschool, with 61% of young children not enrolled, reflecting a broader challenge in rural areas lacking access to early education.
South Dakota is one of the few states without state funding for preschool education.