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ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz today announced that SmileHub has ranked Minnesota as a top state for children. The scorecard ranked states across four areas: health and wellness, support system strength, education system, and family and working life.
“In Minnesota, we have been steadfast in our commitment to support children and families. From our nation-leading child tax credit to historic investments in education and child care, we’re making an effort to help families where it matters the most,” said Governor Walz. “The data shows that our efforts are paying off in working toward our goal of making Minnesota the best state in the nation for children.”
“Children of all races, incomes, religions, and zip codes deserve equal opportunity to learn, play, and thrive. In Minnesota, we’re making this a reality,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “SmileHub’s rankings reflect our work to strengthen resources for children, support middle class families, combat long-standing inequities, and build a brighter future for Minnesota. I am proud of all we have done for our youngest Minnesotans.”
Governor Walz has made historic investments to increase child care access and affordability, increase access to mental health resources, ensure universal school meals, and reduce child poverty.
In March 2023, Governor Walz signed Free School Meals for Kids into law, ensuring no child goes hungry while lowering costs for families. In the first year of the program, over 150 million meals were served to children, saving families approximately $1,000 per student.
In May, Governor Walz signed the state child tax credit into law, providing families up to $1750 per child. Aimed at cutting child poverty buy one-third, the credit has helped more than 215,000 Minnesota families, putting over $545 million back into family budgets.
Also in May, Governor Walz signed the education and children and families package , and Paid Family and Medical Leave into law. The education and children and families package funds a program to help families purchase healthy food for school-aged children during summer months, increases pre-k seats in the state, invests in improvements to Minnesota’s child protection system, and provides funding to expand access to child care. Minnesota was ranked in the top five states for lowest childcare costs relative to household income. Over $12 million in child care expansion has been allocated this year.
Minnesota’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program will provide partial wage replacement for 12-20 weeks of leave in a 52-week period for medical leave, bonding, or caring for a family member, alleviating the stress of caring for a new baby or sick child.
Minnesota ranked in the top five states for overall child well-being based on economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.
SmileHub’s full report can be found here.