Page 10
The INDEPENDENT, February 5, 2009
Children First releases Data Book 2008
The current recession has
driven up Oregon’s unemploy-
ment rate and pushed many
families into poverty, according
to the annual County Data
Book 2008 recently released by
Children First for Oregon. Chil-
dren First’s report shows that
more children are living in fi-
nancially unstable homes,
many of them without access to
basic necessities like health
care.
“Oregon families need real
help and they need it now,” said
Robin Christian, Executive Di-
rector of Children First for Ore-
gon. “We cannot allow the cur-
rent economic crisis to com-
pound the issues our children
are facing.”
Statewide, over 140,000
children live below the federal
poverty line ($20,650 for a fam-
ily of four in 2007); 110,000
children are without health cov-
erage; well over 200,000 fami-
lies receive food stamps, an 11
percent increase over the pre-
vious year, and 34,512 families
receive assistance through
Temporary
Assistance
to
Needy Families (TANF) pro-
gram, an eight percent in-
crease over last year.
The organization is calling
on elected leaders to pass two
programs critical to families:
expanded health coverage for
children, and employee-funded
paid family leave. In a session
with deep budget cuts planned,
Children First also calls for the
protection of critical human
services, like Temporary Assis-
tance to Needy Families
(TANF) and Employment Relat-
ed Day Care (ERDC).
“The Legislature must do
something to help struggling
families right now and at the
top of their list should be mak-
ing sure every child has health
coverage,” said Cathy Kauf-
mann, Policy & Communica-
tions Director for Children First.
“Not only will this help families
and protect the health of our
kids – it will also draw down
millions of dollars in federal
matching money at a time
when the state economy sorely
needs it.
This year’s Data Book also
continues Children First’s com-
mitment to providing the most
current data on the well-being
of Oregon’s children and their
families:
Family Finances and Sta-
bility
• $58,700 is the median fam-
ily income, five percent lower
than the national median.
• 336,019 children live in
low-income households (200
percent of the federal poverty
level, or $41,300 for a family of
four in 2007).
• Unemployment claims in-
creased 58 percent between
November 2007 and November
2008.
• Subprime loans make up
25.4 percent of loans in Ore-
gon.
• 34,512 families receive
cash assistance through the
TANF program.
• 19,870 families receive
child care subsidies through
the ERDC program.
Pet of the Month
Columbia Humane Society in St. Helens has a variety of wonderful pets
available for adoption. Find the pet that’s right for you in the shelter
at 2084 Oregon Street. Phone 503-397-4353
Open Mon - Fri 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 am. to 5 pm.
Loki is a very cute Manx mix kitty with no tail. Loki is a people's cat,
he likes to be a part of whatever you do. He enjoys being on your
lap and belly rubs. He has a play-
ful side as well and has a blast
Loki
chasing kitty toys. He will answer
you in his kitty language when you
talk to him. He is just such a joy to
be around. Loki gets along with
cats and dogs, and would be a
great addition to your loving family!
The Columbia Humane Society is a No-Kill non-profit shelter
dedicated to helping friends find each other since 1985.
This Adopt a Pet is Sponsored by:
Senator Betsy Johnson
Child Health
• 110,571 children (12.6 per-
cent) have no health insurance.
• There are 3,048 students
for every 1.0 FTE school nurse
in Oregon. The preferred ratio
is 750 students to 1.0 FTE
nurse.
• 78.4 percent of mothers re-
ceived adequate prenatal care.
Child Welfare
• 10,716 children were vic-
tims of child abuse/neglect
(12.2 per 1,000 children).
• 15,060 children have been
in foster care at least once dur-
ing the past year.
• 63,504 reports of child
abuse/neglect were made in
2007. 42 percent of these re-
ports were assessed, and 12
percent were founded.
Children First works to make
Oregon a place where all chil-
dren thrive. We educate and
engage Oregonians to promote
programs and policies that get
results for kids. KIDS COUNT
is a project of the Annie E.
Casey Foundation, a private
charitable organization that
funds a nationwide network of
projects that support disadvan-
taged children and families,
www.cffo.org.
Feb. is Pet Dental Health month
You wouldn't go your whole
life without brushing your
teeth...and neither should your
pet!
February is National Pet
Dental Health month. Oregon
veterinarians are reminding pet
owners that oral disease is the
most frequently diagnosed
health problem affecting adult
dogs and cats. Nearly 80 per-
cent of all dogs and cats over
the age of three have periodon-
tal (gum) disease. Without pre-
vention and treatment, this can
lead to tooth decay, bleeding
gums, tooth loss, and even
damage to internal organs.
Check your pets for these
symptoms of oral disease:
• Persistent bad breath
• Red, bleeding, swollen, re-
ceding or eroding gums
• Yellow-brown plaque or tar-
tar on the teeth
• Loose, infected or missing
teeth
Prevention and treatment
options include dental clean-
ings by your veterinarian,
brushing your pet’s teeth regu-
larly, and feeding your pet a
specially formulated food to
combat tartar and plaque
buildup.
You can help your pet avoid
periodontal disease by follow-
ing this 3-step prevention pro-
gram:
1. Take your pet to your vet-
erinarian for a dental examina-
tion. Don’t wait for its next
checkup if you suspect a prob-
lem. Your veterinarian may rec-
ommend regular cleanings.
2. Begin a dental care regi-
men that includes regular
brushing and a nutritious diet.
Ask your veterinarian to show
you how to brush your pet’s
teeth.
3. Schedule regular veteri-
nary checkups – twice a year is
best, especially for older pets.
These are essential in helping
your veterinarian monitor your
pet’s dental – and physical –
health.
Please see page 20
CHS schedules
a rabies clinic
The Columbia Humane So-
ciety will hold their first Rabies
clinic of 2009 on February 7,
from noon to 3:00 p.m., at the
shelter, 2084 Oregon St., St.
Helens.
For more information see
their website: www.columbia
humane.org or call 503-397-
4353.
Parents: You can control sibling rivalry
by the American Counseling
Association
new baby is usually the center
of attention and, out of necessi-
ty, takes up more of the par-
Having more than one child ents’ time. The older child prob-
in your family almost guaran- ably feels he or she is sudden-
tees disagreements, argu- ly less important and probably
ments and competition be- starts to misbehave to win back
tween the kids, at least some- more attention.
times. Your children may love
The cure for that problem is
one another, but disagree- to demonstrate to your children
ments between siblings still that you love them all. Simply
happen and still drive most par- saying it has no real affect. But
ents crazy.
when you set aside some “spe-
It’s called “sibling rivalry” and cial time” for the older child, of-
its roots are probably buried in fer your unfocused attention,
our prehistoric ancestors when and give plenty of hugs and re-
surviving often meant you had assurances, you’re demon-
to be number one in your par- strating your love and overcom-
ents’ eyes. Today, actual sur- ing that sense of feeling threat-
vival isn’t the issue, but staying ened.
number one in the parents’
As children get older, it stops
minds still is.
being jealousy over parental
Young children often feel love, and is replaced by com-
threatened when a sibling is petition is for parental attention.
born. They see parental love as Siblings may compete to have
limited and finite, but suddenly better grades, be better in
there’s someone new to love, sports, or demonstrate better
meaning less love for the older musical or artistic skills.
child.
That’s often a good thing,
It’s not an irrational fear. A leading to higher levels of ac-
complishment, if kept under
control. While you want to
praise a higher-achieving child,
this shouldn’t be at the expense
of siblings. If one child is al-
ways “winning,” you may want
to tip the scales slightly and
give the other child extra atten-
tion and time.
But competition can get out
of hand, threatening family
peace and harmony, and possi-
bly doing physical or emotional
harm to one or the other child.
That’s when help is needed.
School counselors are often
excellent sources of advice on
excessive levels of sibling rival-
ry. A counseling professional
specializing in children and
families could also help.
While a little friendly sibling
competition can sometimes be
a good motivator, don’t let it de-
stroy family peace and happi-
ness. As a parent, if you work
to be fair with your love and at-
tention, you may find sibling ri-
valry can disappear.