An increasing number of Colorado families are experiencing financial and psychological distress while caring for their children during the COVID-19 pandemic, a policy report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found.

The report, “Kids, Families and COVID-19,” examines data from weekly U.S. Census Bureau surveys to discover what challenges American families are facing during the pandemic.

“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, too many Colorado kids experienced hardships like poverty, food insecurity and housing instability,” said Kelly Causey, CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

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“The data in this report make it clear that the pandemic has exacerbated these challenges for so many families across our state.”

Of Colorado households with children, 11% said there is sometimes or always not enough food in their household, compared to 8% before the pandemic began, according to the report.

The report also found that 7% of these households don’t have health insurance and 12% have little to no confidence in making their next rent or mortgage payment. In addition, 33% have delayed getting medical care in the last month.

This decrease in economic stability for Colorado families has also caused a strain on their mental wellbeing.

Of Colorado respondents with children, 19% said they have felt down, depressed or hopeless in the last week, according to the report.

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“Our kids and families need relief now,” Causey said. “As we gear up for the 2021 legislative session, we must work to ensure kids and families have access to health coverage, quality and affordable child care and safe and secure housing.”

To address these issues, the Annie E. Casey Foundation asks policymakers to prioritize racial and ethnic equity, guarantee free access to the COVID-19 vaccine, reduce student-to-counselor ratios in schools and expand access to unemployment and child care.

The full national report is available online at aecf.org.