ABSTRACT
Approximately 16% of American children, nearly 12 million, are living in poverty and 7% live in extreme poverty (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2002). Among this population, children with developmental disabilities are overrepresented. They are significantly more likely to live in poverty than children without disabilities. In 2002, nearly 22% of families living in poverty included a child experiencing a chronic illness and/or developmental disability (Wise, Wampler, Chavkin, & Romero, 2002). Newachek and Halfon (1998) reported that while approximately 12% of all children have some type of chronic disabling condition, this number increases to nearly 23% of children living in poverty in the United States. Fujiura and Yamaki (2000) reported that 28% of children with disabilities were living in poverty compared to only 16% of children in general. Meyers, Lukemeyer, and Smeeding (1998) demonstrated that children from families receiving TANF experience disability and chronic illness at twice the rate of children from families not receiving TANF. Hebbeler et al. (2001) reported that 42% of children entering the early intervention system for children from birth to 36 months with developmental delays and/or disabilities were receiving some form of public assistance. Finally, one-fifth of low-income families reported that they are caring for a child with a disability or chronic illness (Hanley, 2002).
