Kids Count a mixed picture for NM

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - New Mexico's ranking in the well-being of its children has improved, but the 2009 Kids Count report still shows a mixed picture.

The state's overall ranking improved from 48th last year to 43rdthis year — but remains in the bottom five states in four of the report's 10 key indicators.

The state ranks 49th in teen birth rate, 48th in percentage of children living in single-parent families and 47th in the child poverty rate.

In addition, New Mexico ranks 44th in the percentage of children in families in which no parent has a full-time, year-round job.

Officials of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which publishes the databook each year, noted the latest report does not reflect information from the height of the economic downturn.

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Also on the Web: Kids Count report