KIDS COUNT Indicator Brief: Increasing the Number of Children Whose Parents Have Stable Employment

When parents have secure employment and earn enough to meet their families’ basic needs, children benefit in many ways. They are more likely to have decent and stable housing, good nutrition and adequate health care. Secure employment supports healthy development in other ways as well. It can alleviate parental stress, prevent depression and improve family functioning, thus creating a more positive home setting for children.

Basic workplace skills are important, but not sufficient. Relatively few adult education and job training programs are equipped to provide job seekers—particularly those with limited basic skills—with the full spectrum of competencies required for success in today’s workplaces.