Report: Ala. is nation's worst for homeless kids

The study released Tuesday by the National Center on Family Homelessness ranks the state No. 50 nationally for the well-being of homeless kids. Overall, the group says one in 45 children in the United States experience homelessness in a year.

The group ranks the states by the extent of child homelessness; the well-being of children; the risk for child homelessness; and state policy and planning efforts. It says Vermont is best in the nation and Alabama is worst.

Southern states fared poorly in general. Of the bottom 10 nationally, six are in the South.

Officials at the Salvation Army in Birmingham say they're seeing more homeless kids each year.