For eight years, Utah has been working to decrease intergenerational poverty, a situation of poverty and public assistance use that continues from one generation to the next. The Intergenerational Welfare Reform Commission and Advisory Committee shared this month that things are headed in the right direction. “I’m thrilled about the incredible progress taking place in our pilot counties,” shared Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, chair of the Intergenerational Welfare Reform Commission. “Our commission is anxiously looking forward to these programs continuing to make improvements to the lives of those experiencing intergenerational poverty, and we’re uplifted by what this could mean for our state as a whole moving forward.” The topic is of importance in the Uintah Basin where the average of intergenerational poverty among kids is higher than the state average of 6 percent. In Uintah County, 12 percent of kids are living in intergenerational poverty and in Duchesne County, 14 percent of kids are living in intergenerational poverty. For both counties, another 20 percent of kids are considered at-risk of remaining in poverty as adults. All involved in the initiative hope the momentum and collaboration happening right now to address this issue will continue.
