OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Industry News Of the more than three million young children (defined as ages 0 to 6) currently living in California, 28.7% (almost one million) live in poverty, compared to the national average of 23.1%. California ranks sixth in income inequality, according to Map and Track, State Initiatives for Young Children and Families 2000 Edition, a report released by the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) at Columbia University. Although California's minimum wage of $5.75 . . .