(AP) — A new report by a children’s advocacy group shows that nearly one in four Kansas children are living below the poverty line as the effects of the Great Recession linger.

The data released Tuesday by Kansas Action for Children finds the state’s childhood poverty rate at 23.15 percent, up more than 5 percent from 2008.

Shannon Cotsoradis, president and CEO of the group, says many parents are finding it difficult to land work and continue to be dependent on public assistance to provide food, shelter and pay other bills.

She says eligibility requirements for public assistance programs have meant fewer Kansas residents qualify for benefits and put more children at risk of not being healthy or safe.

The KAC’s Kids Count report looks at 20 indicators of child well-being.