Hard economic times are hitting the United States’ youngest citizens, threatening to roll back decades worth of gains in health, safety and education, according to a report released on Monday.

It suggests the country’s most severe recession in a generation, which has cost more than 5 million American jobs since it began in late 2007, is having a drastic impact on children.

The annual report, sponsored by the Foundation for Child Development, a private child advocacy group, measures economic, health, safety and social factors affecting children and teens.

Highlights from the report include:

• Based on current estimates, the report projects that the current recession will pare median annual family incomes back to $55,700 by 2010, down from $59,200 in 2007.
• Households run by single women will see their annual incomes fall to $23,000 in 2010, down from $24,950 in 2007.
• The steepest drop will be among single households headed by men, where median annual family income is expected to drop to $33,300 in 2010, from $38,100 in 2007.

These declines in family income will affect many other aspects of life for children in America.

• The percentage of children in poverty will rise to 21 percent in 2010, up from about 17 percent in 2006.
• The housing crisis will disrupt social relationships for children, as job losses cause families to uproot in search of work and less-costly housing. Many families are at greater risk of homelessness.
• Children’s health also suffer.
• Increases in an already growing obesity epidemic will continue as parents turn to cheap fast food to feed their families.

One bright spot, they said, is the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, which will at least ensure that many poor children get needed health care. Click to see whether your member of the US House and US Senate voted to expand the program or opposed it.

Based on trends in prior recessions, rates of violent crime will likely rise, hurt by police force cuts and and cuts in juvenile crime prevention programs.

Fewer children will be taking part in early childhood eduction programs, which are known to raise student test scores.

Black and Latino children, whose communities tend to be more sensitive to economic fluctuations, will be affected most by these changes.

As the 2010 election season gets close, Vote Kids will be reminding voters whether their member of Congress, Governor, or state legislature voted to help solve these problems or make them worse. Bookmark this site for future updates.