Children First for Oregon -- a child advocacy group, found that 1 in 4 children in the state is living in poverty.

That's defined as a family of four living on $23-thousand dollars a year or less.

Children First Executive Director Tonia Hunt says Oregon falls in the bottom half of all states for child poverty rates.

"I think we definitely lost ground during the recession.  Some are not making up that ground as the economy improves -- certain workers and certain regions.  We do see a stagnation among some demographics, low income wage earners and certain regions of the state that are troubling."

Growing up in poverty means these kids often face poor nutrition, delayed development, chronic stress and difficulty in school.