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This Kids Count data book details statewide trends in the well-being of Maine's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators in the areas of physical and mental health, including insurance enrollment, adolescent health and safety, and child welfare; social and economic status, including poverty, unemployment, and teen pregnancies; and education and child care, including graduation and dropout rates, and early childhood staff characteristics. The first part of the data book presents data for the state as a whole for each indicator, with national data for comparison. The second part presents county profiles for each indicator. Indicators showing improvement include the number of children uninsured, the teen pregnancy rate, and arrests of children for violent crime. Indicators showing mixed progress include a declining overall child poverty rate, but a rising number of children in low-income families; an increase in employed mothers, but a decrease in jobs paying a livable wage; and an unacceptably large number of uninsured children with working parents. Measures needing immediate attention are teen motor vehicle crashes, an increasing child and teen suicide rate, and increasing number of child abuse and neglect reports. The data book concludes with definitions and sources. (HTH)

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends in the well-being of Utah's children. The statistical portrait is based on 28 indicators of children's well-being in five areas: (1) child health (prenatal care, low birth-weight births, infant mortality, child injury deaths, injury-related hospital discharges, child abuse, childhood immunizations, untreated tooth decay, and suicide death rates); (2) economic security (unemployment rate, poverty rate, quality child care availability, health insurance, special health care needs, and additional poverty indicators); (3) community safety (juvenile adjudication rates and domestic violence); (4) education (fall enrollment and dropout rate, pupil-teacher ratio, truancy referrals to juvenile court, and school meals program participation); and (5) safe behaviors (teen births, teen chlamydia infection rate, teen smoking, overweight youth, physical exercise, seat belt usage, and unlawful drug use). Following introductory remarks, the first section of the report provides demographic information at the county and state level and information on child well-being at a glance. The bulk of the report presents state and county level information on the above indicators. The report's third section details findings on selected health and safety issues for 61 small areas within the state. The final section details Utah's Kids Count project. Among the findings, positive trends are noted for infant mortality, availability of quality child care, teen birth rate, cigarette smoking, exercise, and use of seat belts. Negative trends are noted for prenatal care, low birth-weight births, victims of neglect and abuse, immunization levels, domestic violence, substance abuse and violent crime offenses, and truancy referrals. (SD)

This WisKids Count data book provides a statistical portrait of the well-being of Wisconsin's children. In addition to demographic data indicating changing communities, the indicators and data are organized into five overarching goals: (1) Healthy Families and Children Thrive, including births to single women, infant deaths, and health care coverage; (2) Families Can Meet Their Needs, including family income, housing affordability, children in kinship care, and AFDC and food stamp recipients; (3) Children Are Safe, including births to teen mothers, child abuse and neglect reports, and domestic violence incidents; (4) Youth Make Good Choices, including high school graduation, students taking the ACT exam, juvenile arrests, and children placed in out of home care; and (5) Children Are Ready for School, including children meeting immunization requirements, Head Start enrollment, and children participating in the Birth to Three program. The bulk of the report then presents data by county for each of the indicators under each goal. Data are provided for the years 1991, 1995, 2000, and 2001/2002 to indicate trends. The remainder of the data book provides city comparisons for years 1990 and 2000. Indicator sources and explanations conclude the data book. (HTH)

This KIDS COUNT databook is the eighth annual profile examining statewide trends in the well-being of Rhode Island's children. The statistical portrait is based on 53 indicators (3 new indicators in this databook) in 5 areas: (1) family and community (including child population, children in single parent families, and racial and ethnic diversity); (2) economic well-being (including child support, child poverty, children in families receiving food stamps, children in the Family Independence Program, and children receiving school breakfast); (3) health (including children's health insurance, children with special needs, breastfeeding incidence, dental care access, children's mental health, infant mortality, and births to teens); (4) safety (including child and teen deaths, homeless children and youth, children of incarcerated parents, juveniles referred to family court, and out-of-home placement); and (5) education (including infant/preschool child care, Head Start enrollment, school-age child care, child care subsidies, special education enrollment, student mobility, fourth-grade reading skills, high performing schools, school attendance, and high school graduation). Following an overview focusing on family economic security and educational attainment, the databook defines each indicator, describes its significance and trends, describes efforts to address problems or meet needs, and for most indicators presents relevant data for the state, 39 cities and towns, and an aggregate of the 5 cities with the highest child poverty rates. The databook concludes by describing the methodology, listing KIDS COUNT committee members, and acknowledging contributors. (KB)

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends in the well-being of South Carolina's children. The statistical portrait is based on 44 indicators in the areas of demographics, family, economic status, health, readiness and early school performance, scholastic achievement, and adolescent risk behaviors. The indicators are: (1) population; (2) births to teen mothers; (3) births to mothers not completing high school; (4) births to single mothers; (5) divorce rate; (6) single-parent family; (7) parents working and child care; (8) family violence; (9) separation from parents; (10) abuse and neglect; (11) out of home placements; (12) adult/child ratio; (13) poverty; (14) income; (15) child support payments; (16) prenatal care; (17) low birth weight; (18) infant mortality; (19) childhood injuries and deaths; (20) immunization; (21) sexually transmitted diseases; (22) healthy lifestyles; (23) tobacco use; (24) disabilities; (25) emotional and behavioral disorders; (26) inadequate health care; (27) Medicaid enrollment; (28) ambulatory care; (29) first-grade readiness; (30) first- through third-grade failure rates; (31) over-age for grade three; (32) special education; (33) exit exam failures; (34) achievement trends; (35) Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test results; (36) dropout rates; (37) adolescents not in school or employed; (38) alcohol use; (39) heavy drinking; (40) drug use; (41) sexual activity and pregnancy; (42) juvenile delinquency; (43) not in school or employed; and (44) adolescent deaths. Statewide data and summary information are provided for each indicator. The bulk of the document presents data by county for each indicator. The data on families, economic status, health, readiness, school achievement, and adolescent risk behaviors suggest that too many children are at risk of not growing up to become self-supporting adults, good family members, and responsible community citizens. Thirty-one percent of children live in single-parent families, 18.8 percent live in poverty, 34.8 percent will not graduate from school, 37.1 percent of high school students use alcohol, and 20.1 percent use drugs each month. On the positive side, 85.5 percent of the state's children are born to non-teen mothers, 59.9 percent are born to married parents, and 68.7 percent live in two-parent families. 81.2 percent are not poor, and 86.4 percent are assessed as ready for the first grade. (HTH)

This KIDS COUNT report examines statewide trends in the well-being of Tennessee's children. The statistical portrait is based on 34 indicators of children's well-being in 5 broad areas: (1) infant, child, and teen health, including enrollment in the TennCare (replacement for Tennessee's Medicaid Program) insurance program, prenatal, low birthweight infants, immunizations, enrollment in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and teen pregnancy and birth; (2) child and teen well-being, including child abuse and neglect, child death, teen violent death, juvenile justice, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and state custody; (3) education, including child care, Head Start, dropout rate, school safety, and school nutrition; and (4) economic security, including poverty, food stamps recipients, and unemployment; and (5) demographics. Following the narrative highlighting major findings, the report provides statewide data, followed by findings, by county, for each of the indicators. Among the findings are the following: (1) in 2001, Tennessee reached its highest immunization completion rate for 24-month-olds; (2) the teen birth rate declined as did the rate for sexually transmitted diseases; (3) the number of substantiated child abuse and neglect cases decreased; (4) in 2001, 12 percent of all students attending Tennessee schools received special education services; (5) the percentage of children younger than age five living in poverty in Tennessee grew by 7 percent between 1990 and 2000; (6) during 2000, nearly one fourth of all Tennessee households were headed by a single parent; and (7) Tennessee's minority youth population grew by more than 11 percent in 2001, one of the fastest growing segments of the population. The report concludes with a section of maps, tables, and sources, and a section of data definitions and sources. (HTH)

This Kids Count report examines trends in the well-being of Rhode Island's children, highlighting progress made in reaching the goals for children set by the Rhode Island Children's Cabinet in 1997 and discussing the remaining challenges. This statistical portrait is based on trends in 24 indicators of child well being: (1) prenatal care; (2) health insurance; (3) immunizations; (4) lead poisoning; (5) early care and education; (6) full-day kindergarten; (7) reading proficiency in fourth grade; (8) high performing schools; (9) English language learners; (10) school-age child care; (11) births to teens; (12) high school graduation; (13) homeless children; (14) children witnessing domestic violence; (15) child abuse and neglect; (16) out-of-home placement; (17) teen violent crime; (18) youth at the training school; (19) children in poverty; (20) median household income; (21) housing costs; (22) educational attainment; (23) children enrolled in the Family Independence Program; and (24) child care and health insurance supports for working families. The report's introduction presents a letter from Rhode Island Kids Count and the Children's cabinet detailing the 1997 goals and summarizing the findings; the introduction also includes demographic information on Rhode Island's children. The remainder of the report presents findings for each indicator, with trend data back to the late 1980s for some indicators, and with racial/ethnic or geographic area differences noted as available. For each indicator, the following is noted: (1) its importance for children's well-being; (2) progress made; and (3) challenges remaining. The report notes that the state is moving toward meeting its goals, but that significant disparities remain in outcomes among different racial, ethnic, and economic groups. (KB)

Noting that the southern region of the United States is challenged by some of the most difficult and entrenched economic, health, and social problems that place children at risk, this chartbook presents information on indicators of the current status of children and families in the South and contrasts conditions in the South with those in other regions. The chartbook is intended to build knowledge and stimulate dialogue among public and private leaders on actions needed to support low-income children and families. Indicator charts are organized in four sections: (1) economic factors (median household income, poverty rate, child poverty rate, families receiving TANF, and participation in food stamp program); (2) health (uninsured children, infant mortality, low birthweight infants, percent of mothers with late or no prenatal care, teen birth rates, teen pregnancy rates); (3) child care (percent of eligible children served by state/federal child care subsidies); and (4) education (high school dropout, percent of 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college, and percent of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher). Each chart presents state- or region-wide data and has an accompanying narrative comparing the southern region with other regions and the national average. These indicator charts show that the median household income in the South was approximately $3,700 less than the U.S. median income. Twelve southern states and the District of Columbia had poverty rates higher than the U.S. rate. Forty-one percent of uninsured children in the U.S. live in the south. Forty-two percent of all infant deaths in 1999 were in the south. The southern states served only 15 percent of children eligible for the state/federal child care subsidy system. Twelve southern states and the District of Columbia had dropout rates above the U.S. median. The chartbook's appendix contains 15 supporting data tables. (KB)

This report is the sixth to present nationwide data on the well-being of U.S. children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators of child well-being and on contextual measures describing the changing population and family context. Part 1 of the report, "Population and Family Characteristics," presents information illustrating trends in eight key demographic measures, including children as a proportion of the population, racial and ethnic composition, and difficulty speaking English. Part 2, "Indicators of Children's Well-Being," presents data on 24 key indicators in the following areas: (1) Economic Security, including child poverty, family income, parent employment, housing problems, and health care access; (2) Health, including activity limitation, immunization, low birthweight, mortality rates, and adolescent births; (3) Behavior and Social Environment, including cigarette smoking, alcohol use, illicit drug use, and crime victimization; (4) Education, including family reading, early childhood education, achievement, high school completion, and youth neither enrolled in school nor working; and (5) Special Feature: children of at least one foreign-born parent. For each background measure or indicator, three types of information are presented: reasons the measure or indicator is important to understanding children's well-being, figures illustrating trends or population group differences, and highlights with information on current status,recent trends, and important population group differences. Additional indicators needed are also noted. The report's two appendices present detailed data tables and data source descriptions. Among the key findings, the report notes that children are projected to remain a stable percentage of the total population, while the ethnic diversity of U.S. children continues to increase. The poverty rate for children living with family members reached a high of 22 percent in 1993 and has since decreased to its lowest rate since 1979. In 2000, the rate of births to adolescents was at a record low. Cigarette use among adolescents shows indications of decline. Bachelor's degree attainment remained at an all-time high, and in 2001, 19 percent of children had at least one foreign-born parent. (Contains 76 endnotes.) (EV)

This Kids Count issue brief details the strides made in Rhode Island over the last 10 years to improve maternal and child health, focusing on efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities. The brief notes that Rhode Island has made significant progress in several areas of maternal and infant care, most notably in access to insurance and early prenatal care. However, significant racial/ethnic disparities remain in several areas, for example, the infant mortality rate for blacks remains twice that for whites and higher than that of any other racial/ethnic group. Other racial/ethnic disparities are described concerning delayed prenatal care, smoking during pregnancy, and pregnancies and births to 15- to 17-year-olds. Potential causes for racial/ethnic disparities are discussed and include socioeconomic factors, behavioral factors, cultural factors, physiological risk factors, and system/provider bias. The brief attributed the contribution of RIte Care, Rhode Island's Medicaid managed care program, to the lowest rate of uninsured children in the nation (5 percent compared to 14 percent nationally). The Women's Health Screening and Referral Program is described as an initiative to prevent unintended pregnancies, improve pregnancy outcomes through risk identification and referral, identify service gaps, and create a continuum of care for women of childbearing age. The brief emphasizes the need to address mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence risks and describes the Universal Newborn Risk Screening Program in place in Rhode Island. Recommendations for addressing the significant remaining racial/ethnic disparities relate to focusing on high-poverty communities, income supports for low-income families, family support and infant development, access and cultural competence, and access to high quality health care during adolescence. (Contains 48 endnotes.) (KB)

This KIDS COUNT data book examines trends in the well-being of New York's children. The statistical portrait is based on six general areas of children's well-being: (1) economic security; (2) physical and emotional health; (3) education; (4) citizenship; (5) family; and (6) community. Following an introductory section addressing the 2000 census and describing the goals and objectives of the major touchstones, the first section provides data for each of the following individual indicators: (1) child poverty; (2) children in families receiving food stamps; (3) children in families receiving public assistance; (4) children in families receiving supplemental security income; (5) adolescent pregnancy; (6) prenatal care; (7) child mortality; (8) asthma hospitalizations; (9) self-inflicted injury hospitalization; (10) unintentional injury hospitalization; (11) infant mortality; (12) lead poisoning; (13) low birthweight births; (14) sexually transmitted diseases; (15) dropout rates; (16) English language learners; (17) high school graduates intending to enroll in college; (18) high school graduates receiving regent diplomas; (19) student performance in English and math; (20) juvenile arrests for property and violent crime; (21) arrests for drug use; (22) DUI/auto accidents; (23) assault hospitalizations; (24) juveniles in need of supervision; (25) foster care; (26) child abuse reports; (27) births to uninsured women; (28) firearm related crimes; (29) violent crime; (30) unemployment; and (31) nutrition. The second section of the data book provides profiles of New York State, New York City, and the state's counties. The data book concludes with a section of technical notes and references. (SD)

This Kids Count report examines statewide, countywide, and citywide trends in the well-being of Colorado's children. Following a brief foreword, the report presents state data and city data for 15 major cities in the form of a report card. The report cards relay: demographic data related to number of children by age and race; indicators of child health and well-being related to births for the period of 1991-2000 including trend changes; lists of promising trends, troubling trends, stable indicators; and general conclusions. The third section presents comparative state and city data for the period 1991-2000 for the following indicators: (1) births to single women; (2) births to single teens; (3) births to mothers with no high school diploma; (4) three-risk-factor births (mothers under 25, unmarried, with fewer that 12 years of education); (5) repeat teen births; (6) low birth weight births; (7) births to women receiving late or no prenatal care; (8) births to mothers who smoked during pregnancy; and (9) infant mortality rate. The fourth section presents county data for the year 2000 for the following indicators: (1) demographics; (2) median household income; (3) children in poverty; (4) live births; (5) births to single women; (6) low birthweight births; (7) late or no prenatal care; (8) teen birth rate; (9) three-risk-factor births; (10) infant mortality; (11) child deaths; (12) teen deaths; (13) child abuse or neglect; (14) out-of-home placement; (15) children in families enrolled in TANF; (16) children in families receiving WIC; (17) children enrolled in Medicaid; (18) children enrolled in child health plan plus; (19) children receiving free or reduced lunch; (20) high school graduation rate; and (21) high school dropout rate. The report concludes with data notes and definitions. (SD)

This Kids Count report details statewide trends in the well-being of Utah's children. The statistical portrait is based on 29 indicators of children's well-being in five areas: (1) child health and safety (prenatal care, low birthweight, infant mortality, child injury deaths, injury-related hospital discharges, child abuse, childhood immunizations, untreated tooth decay, and suicide death rates); (2) family environments (unemployment rate, poverty rate, health insurance, special health care needs, and quality child care availability); (3) community safety and security (juvenile adjudication rates, and domestic violence); (4) school success and work readiness (enrollment, dropout rate, kindergarten readiness, pupil-teacher ratio, truancy referrals to juvenile court, and school meals program participation); and (5) healthy and safe behavior (teen births, teen chlamydia infection rate, teen smoking, overweight youth, physical exercise, seat belt usage, and unlawful drug use). Following introductory remarks, the first section of the report provides demographic information at the county and state level and information on child well-being "at a glance." The bulk of the report presents state and county level information on the above indicators. The report's final section details findings on selected health and safety issues for 61 small areas within the state. Among the findings, positive trends are noted for child dental treatment, children with health insurance, quality child care availability, substance abuse offenses, violent crime offenses, teen smoking, and seat belt usage. Negative trends are noted for prenatal care, low birthweight infants, infant mortality, child abuse, suicide deaths, and domestic violence cases. (KB)

This KIDS COUNT data book details statewide trends in the well-being of Maine's children. Following a brief overview of the data book and a summary of indicators, state trend data are presented in the areas of: (1) poverty; (2) child and adolescent suicide; (3) public high school dropouts; (4) teen pregnancy; (5) public high school graduates planning to attend post-secondary education; (6) individuals aged 3-21 with disabilities; (7) infant mortality; (8) domestic assault reports; and (9) arrests of children aged 10-17. County trend data are reported for the areas of children in poverty, 1998; school children receiving subsidized school lunch, 2000-2001; and unemployment, 2000. The bulk of the report presents Maine state and county profiles based on a variety of indicators in the areas of: (1) physical and mental health; (2) social and economic opportunity; and (3) education and learning. Measures showing definite improvement include infant mortality rate, low birth weight rate, child and teen deaths, teen violent deaths, number of uninsured children, arrests of children 10-17, and the teen pregnancy rate. Measures found to need immediate attention include number of child residents of homeless and emergency shelters, child abuse and neglect, child and teen suicide rate, and number of children with disabilities. The report concludes with definitions and sources of data. (SD)

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends in the well-being of Pennsylvanias children. The statistical portrait is based on trends in 19 indicators of child well being: (1) early prenatal care; (2) low birth weight; (3) infant mortality; (4) child deaths; (5) child violent deaths; (6) births to single mothers under age 20; (7) mothers with less than a high school education; (8) mothers using tobacco during pregnancy; (9) substantiated child abuse or neglect; (10) out-of-home placement; (11) delinquent children in out-of-home care; (12) school dropout rate; (13) child poverty rate; (14) children in families receiving TANF/AFDC; (15) unemployment; (16) per capita income; (17) average annual wage; (18) labor force participation; and (19) employed workers per child. The report is presented in six sections. Section 1 of the report summarizes the findings and includes a state minority profile and education profile. Section 2 provides statewide indicator information, including graphic multi-year profiles of the state as a whole and urban, rural, and mixed counties as groups. Section 3 is organized by county and provides profiles of each county, with graphs of multi-year trends, usually from 1990. This section also provides county-level racial/ethnic breakdowns and municipality breakouts. Section 4 profiles Pennsylvania's 501 school districts, with data on student population, test scores, programs, and other indicators of educational progress. Section 5 defines and lists data sources. Among the findings, indicators showing improvement include lack of prenatal care and children enrolled in Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. Indicators losing ground include per pupil expenditures and children in single-parent homes. (KB)

This Kids Count report examines statewide trend data on the well-being of Nebraska's children. Section 1 of the report presents U.S. Census data on population trends in Nebraska as well as child poverty rates, and urges Nebraskans to work together to ensure that its youngest citizens have the best start possible. Section 2, the bulk of this statistical report, presents findings on indicators of child well-being in eight areas: (1) child abuse and neglect/domestic violence (investigated and substantiated cases, reporting, types of abuse, child abuse fatalities in 2001, and domestic violence/sexual assault programs); (2) early childhood care and education (early childhood development programs, and child care facilities and subsidies); (3) economic well-being (TANF, earned income tax credit, single parent families, and divorce and child support); (4) education (high school graduates, school dropouts, expelled students, and special education; (5) physical and behavioral health (birth, prenatal care, infant mortality, low birthweight, births to teens, out-of-wedlock births, immunizations, child deaths, health care access, blood lead levels, mental health and substance abuse treatment, youth risk behavior survey); (6) juvenile justice (juvenile arrests, probation, youth rehabilitation and treatment centers, adult jail and parole for juveniles); (7) nutrition (food stamps, USDA nutrition programs); and (8) out-of-home care and adoption (state foster care review board, children in out-of-home care, licensed and approved foster homes, multiple placements, race and ethnicity, adoption services). Sections 3 and 4 present notes on county data and the specific data in table form. Sections 5 through 7 present information concerning methodology, data sources, definitions, references, and Kids Count Team members. (KB)

As part of the mission of the Start Smart, Stay Smart Milwaukee program to ensure that all Milwaukee area children enter school with the skills necessary for academic achievement and a lifetime of growth and development, the organization is tracking key indicators across the years of growth and development to young adulthood to better assess the results of early investments on later outcomes. This eighth annual report to the community presents information on indicators related to goals for children and youth in the following areas: (1) prenatal care and children's health; (2) early care and education; (3) nutrition; (4) safety; (5) economic security; (6) parent support; (7) school success; and (8) youth success. Among the key findings of the report are that slightly more than half of women giving birth in Milwaukee between 1998 and 2000 received adequate prenatal care, with significant racial and ethnic disparities in initiation of prenatal care, low birthweight incidence, and infant mortality rate. Head Start enrollment increased by 5 percent, but enrollment remains below capacity. Participation in WIC and the federal Free and Reduced Price Meal program has declined over the past few years. The rate of substantiated child abuse declined between 1999 and 2001. One-third of Milwaukee children lived in poverty in 2000, compared to 11 percent statewide. Parent support services have increased over the past 5 years. Although high school graduation rates increased, racial/ethnic disparities remain. Ten percent of Milwaukee County 16- to 19-year-olds were not in school and not working in 2000. The report concludes with a table comparing indicator data for Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, the county excluding the city, and the state, as well as information on data and reference sources. (KB)

This KIDS COUNT fact book details statewide and county trends in the well-being of North Dakota's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators of children's well-being in seven areas: (1) population; (2) family composition; (3) economic condition; (4) child care; (5) child health; (6) education; and (7) children at risk. The report begins with information on the methodology of the data collection and includes discussion of criteria for data selection, data presentation, and data limitations. An overview presents statewide findings related to each of the above areas and delineates their implications for low-income rural children and their families. The bulk of the report then presents data for 8 geographical regions of the state, followed by statewide data, regional data, and profiles for each of the state's 53 counties, including multi-year trend data. The final section provides indicator definitions and data sources, and summarizes policy changes in each area that could improve the odds of rural families' economic security. Important findings include decreases in the number of children in the state, increases in the percentage of children living in single parent families, little change in the child poverty rate, decreases in the number of licensed child care providers, little change in the percentage of low-weight births, increases in the average expenditures per student, and increases in the number of children affected by domestic violence. (KB)

This Kids Count data book examines statewide trends in the well-being of Indiana's children. The statistical portrait is based on more than 50 indicators of child well-being in the areas of: (1) demographics; (2) economic well-being; (3) early childhood; (4) child protection; (5) health and well-being; (6) education; and (7) juveniles and the law. The data book begins with introductory comments, 2002 youth worker study overview, data book highlights, and information on use of the data book. The second section contains state summary data on indicators in the areas of: (1) children and their families; (2) families in need; (3) child abuse and neglect; (4) healthcare; (5) K-12 education; (6) alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; and (7) after school time. The remainder and bulk of the data book contains state and county profiles for the indicators, with comparison data for the current year and a baseline year. The data indicate an increase in nutritional assistance, fatalities from abuse and neglect, and graduation rate. The data indicate a decrease in low birthweight babies, teen births, infant mortality, and 8th grade smokers.(SD)

This Kids Count report provides information on state and county-wide trends in the well-being of New Jersey's children from 1990 to 2000. The statistical portrait is social indicators in the areas of families in need, child health, troubled teens, abused and neglected children, school enrollment, and early care and education. The 23 indicators are: (1) children in poverty; (2) children in families receiving welfare; (3) children in families receiving food stamps; (4) WIC recipients; (5) low birth-weight babies; (6) infant mortality; (7) child deaths; (8) births with no prenatal care; (9) children enrolled in Medicaid/Family Care; (10) teen deaths; (11) births to teens; (12) juvenile arrests; (13) juvenile commitments; (14) child abuse referrals; (15) child abuse substantiations; (16) foster placements; (17) special education enrollment; (18) high school dropouts; (19) preschool enrollment; (20) licensed child care centers; (21) child capacity at licensed centers; and (22) family child care providers. Following a summary and snapshot of the state by indicator, the bulk of the report presents the data for each of the indicators, by county. The data indicated that more low-income New Jersey children have health insurance. Fewer pregnant women go without prenatal care. Infant mortality is on the decline, and fewer children and teens are dying. Also, births to teens continue to fall. However, the number of children growing up in poverty continues to increase, and the children of poor New Jersey families continue to fail in school, drop out at higher rates, and become parents at an earlier age. The report concludes with county profiles, and a list of sources and definitions. (HTH)

This Kids Count data book examines trends in the well-being of Oregons children, focusing on child health, nutrition, and child safety. This statistical portrait is based on 17 indicators of child well-being: (1) child care supply; (2) third grade reading proficiency; (3) third grade math proficiency; (4) juvenile arrests; (5) suicide attempts; (6) high school dropouts; (7) eighth grade reading proficiency; (8) eighth grade math proficiency; (9) teen pregnancy; (10) infant mortality; (11) early prenatal care; (12) childhood poverty; (13) unemployment (14) court-ordered child support payments paid; (15) child abuse and neglect victims; (16) threat of harm victims; and (17) crimes against persons. The data book's introductory section discusses the need to strengthen families to prevent child abuse; the need to close gaps in health care policy by increasing the number of children with insurance, strengthening prenatal care provision, and improving immunization rates; and the need to reduce child hunger. The remainder of the data book presents indicator data for the state and for each county. County data tables compare the current measure for each indicator to its 5-year average and with the state level. Overall, the data book's findings indicate that the rate of child abuse/neglect was 9.6 per 1,000 children, with 49 percent of victims being under age 6. Major family stressors in abuse/neglect cases included drug or alcohol abuse, parental involvement with a law enforcement agency, and domestic violence. Nine percent of Oregon children have no health insurance. Two-thirds of teen mothers receive early prenatal care. Seventy-two percent of eighth graders do not eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables and 28 percent are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. The data book concludes with data notes, data sources, and definitions. (KB)

This KIDS COUNT databook is the seventh annual profile examining statewide trends in the well-being of Rhode Island's children. The statistical portrait is based on 49 indicators (6 new indicators in this databook) in 5 areas: (1) family and community (including child population, children in single parent families, and racial and ethnic diversity); (2) economic well-being (including child support, child poverty, children in families receiving food stamps, children in the Family Independence Program, and children receiving school breakfast); (3) health (including children's health insurance, children with special needs, breastfeeding incidence, dental care access, children's mental health, infant mortality, and births to teens); (4) safety (including child and teen deaths, homeless children and youth, children of incarcerated parents, juveniles referred to family court, and out-of-home placement); and (5) education (including infant/preschool child care, Head Start enrollment, school-age child care, child care subsidies, special education enrollment, student mobility, fourth-grade reading skills, high performing schools, school attendance, and high school graduation). Following an overview focusing on family economic security and educational attainment, the databook defines each indicator, describes its significance and trends, describes efforts to address problems or meet needs, and for most indicators presents relevant data for the state, 39 cities and towns, and an aggregate of the 5 cities with the highest child poverty rates. The databook concludes by describing the methodology, listing KIDS COUNT committee members, and acknowledging contributors. (KB)

This KIDS COUNT data book for 2002 examines statewide and county level trends in the well-being of Michigan's children. The statistical portrait is based on the following: (1) demographics; (2) juvenile arrests; (3) teen births; (4) children of two working parents; (5) child care costs; (6) child care capacity; (7) children in subsidized child care; (8) children in families receiving FIP (Family Independence Program) cash assistance; (9) food stamps enrollment; (10) merit scholars; (11) child support; (12) health insurance; (13) lead poisoning/asthma; (14) birth defects; (15) special education; (16) children receiving SSI; (17) children in poverty; (18) children receiving free/reduced lunches; (19) less than adequate prenatal care; (20) low birthweight; (21) infant mortality; (22) child deaths; (23) families investigated for abuse; (24) victims of abuse/neglect; (25) children in out-of-home care; (26) teen deaths; (27) high school dropouts; and (28) academic performance in the sciences. Introductory comments note the data book's focus on adolescents. Section one describes what is new and different in this year's data book. Sections two through five present current data in the areas of economic security, child health, child safety, and adolescence. Sections six and seven focus on state profiles. The remainder of the data book contains data on Michigan's 83 counties. The data book concludes with data notes and source information. (SD)

This KIDS COUNT data book details statewide trends in the well-being of Nevada's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators of children's well-being in the areas of health conditions and health care; economic well-being; education and achievement; child and youth safety/welfare; and juvenile justice. The data book begins with an overview and profile of the state demographics, including data on minority populations. The remainder of the data book provides specific information on the primary indicators, organized as follows: (1) state trends; (2) county trends; (3) significant factors; (4) definition of the indicator; and (5) related tables and figures listing most recent available data for each indicator, including data for counties and the state. Specific indicators examined include: (1) teen births; (2) inadequate prenatal care; (3) health insurance coverage; (4) access to dental care; (5) public health programs; (6) immunizations; (7) children in poverty; (8) child care; (9) child support; (10) formal education; (11) testing, proficiency and college entrance efforts; (12) dropout and graduation rates; (13) special education enrollment; (14) infant mortality; (15) child deaths; (16) teen violent deaths; (17) child abuse and neglect; (18) domestic violence; (19) children in substitute care; and (20) juvenile violent crime. The data book concludes with a listing of child well-being indicators, 2000 county data, notes, references, resources, and acknowledgments. (SD)

This Kids Count data book examines trends in the well-being of California's children, focusing on factors influencing young children. The statistical portrait is based on trends in 54 indicators of well-being in 4 areas: (1) education, including preschool participation, licensed child care spaces, percentage of income spent on child care, reading and math skills, per pupil expenditure, and teacher/caregiver compensation; (2) health, including uninsured children, prenatal care, Medi-Cal and Healthy Families enrollment, infant mortality, teen birth rate, and immunizations; (3) family economics, including child poverty rate, median household income, child care costs, children's TANF participation, and participation in nutrition or food stamp programs; and (4) safety, including child abuse rates, foster care, gun violence, child mortality, and juvenile incarceration. Following introductory remarks, the data book presents recommendations in each area arising from the report's findings and explains the county and state rankings and demographic calculations. The first part of the data book, organized by area, details findings for each indicator, focusing on national averages and California's state rank, and on recent trends. Racial/ethnic and income differences in indicators are presented when available. The second part of the book presents county data for 20 indicators and for demographics. The data book's findings indicate that 20 percent of California's children live in poverty, nearly 25 percent experience food insecurity, and about 14 percent lack health coverage. Racial/ethnic disparities in well-being remain significant in the areas of low birthweight and mother's educational attainment. (KB)

This KIDS COUNT factbook details statewide and county trends in the well-being of Wyoming's children. Following an overview of key indicators, the factbook documents state trends for 36 indicators: (1) child and youth population; (2) births; (3) unintended pregnancy; (4) low birth weight babies; (5) early prenatal care; (6) immunizations; (7) chronic disease; (8) early identification, diagnosis, and intervention; (9) injury; (10) family violence; (11) infant deaths; (12) child deaths; (13) babies born to unmarried mothers of all ages; (14) births to mothers who smoked during pregnancy; (15) alcohol and illegal drug use during pregnancy; (16) teen births; (17) sexually transmitted diseases; (18) adolescent tobacco use; (19) adolescent drug and alcohol use; (20) children affected by divorce; (21) juvenile crime arrests; (22) teen violent deaths; (23) teen motor vehicle related deaths; (24) teen suicides; (25) child and adolescent nutrition and obesity; (26) education; (27) average daily membership in schools; (28) drop out incidences; (29) infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with developmental disabilities; (30) licensed child care facilities; (31) Head Start; (32) STARS (a system that tracks licensed child care providers); (33) poverty; (34) welfare reform; (35) "Kid Care" (state children's health insurance program); and (36) children with asthma. The factbook next summarizes findings from the Wyoming Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2001. The remainder of the factbook presents county profiles addressing selected demographic, education, child health, and well-being indicators for the period 1990-2000. The data indicate declining trends in low birth weight babies, child and youth population, births, and juvenile arrests for all crime types. Increasing trends are noted for the percent of babies born to single mothers, percent of children living in poverty, and births of mothers with only a high school education or less. The factbook concludes with information on advocacy opportunities. (HTH)

This KIDS COUNT data book examines trends in the well-being of Vermont's children. Following an introduction and executive summary, the statistical portrait is presented, based on 18 indicators of child well-being: (1) child poverty; (2) families with children, headed by a single parent; (3) national school lunch program enrollment; (4) children in families receiving ANFC; (5) children in families receiving food stamps; (6) women in the labor force; (7) child care need versus capacity; (8) new families at risk; (9) teens ages 15-19 not in school and not in labor force; (10) early prenatal care; (11) low birth-weight babies; (12) infant mortality; (13) births to teens; (14) child deaths; (15) teen deaths by accident, suicide, and homicide; (16) children and youth with disabilities; (17) children in state custody; and (18) child abuse and neglect. County-by-county statistical findings are presented comparing available data since 1988, as well as narratives explaining improving measures and deteriorating measures. Economic findings show decreased enrollment in ANFC and Food Stamp programs, while the number of new families at risk has increased. Positive health and safety findings include more use of early prenatal care and decreased infant mortality, births to teens, rate of child and teen deaths, and child abuse and neglect rates. The rate of low birth weight babies and delinquent custody cases show increases. The data book concludes with notes on statistics, methodology, and acknowledgments. (SD)

This report is the fifth to present nationwide data on the well-being of America's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators of child well-being and on contextual measures describing the changing population and family context. Part 1 of the report, "Population and Family Characteristics," presents information illustrating trends in eight key demographic measures, including children as a proportion of the population, racial and ethnic composition, and difficulty speaking English. Part 2, "Indicators of Children's Well-Being," presents data on 24 key indicators in the following areas: (1) Economic Security, including child poverty, family income, parent employment, housing problems, and health care access; (2) Health, including activity limitation, immunization, low birthweight, mortality rates, and adolescent births; (3) behavior and social environment, including cigarette smoking, alcohol use, illicit drug use, and crime victimization; (4) education, including family reading, early childhood education, achievement, high school completion, and youth neither enrolled in school nor working; and (5) Special Features, asthma prevalence, and youth employment. For each background measure or indicator, three types of information are presented: reasons the measure or indicator is important to understanding children's well-being, figures illustrating trends or population group differences, and highlights with information on current status, recent trends, and important population group differences. Additional indicators needed are also noted. The report's two appendices present detailed data tables and data source descriptions. Among the key findings, the report notes that children are projected to remain a stable percentage of the total population, while the ethnic diversity of America's children continues to increase. The poverty rate for children living with family members reached a high of 22 percent in 1993 and has since decreased to its lowest rate since 1979. Unintentional injuries continue to be the leading cause of death for children and youth ages 1 to 19. In 1999, the adolescent birth rate was at a record low. Cigarette use among adolescents shows indications of decline, with rates of heavy drinking remaining largely unchanged from 1999. Long-term trend mathematics and reading assessment scores for 1999 showed improvements in mathematics since 1982 but not in reading. Asthma is the most common chronic childhood illness in the United States, and the percentage of children diagnosed with asthma appears to be growing. Working while in school is prevalent among older high school students. (Contains 76 endnotes.) (KB)

This Kids Count Data Book provides state and regional trends in the well-being of Connecticut's children. The statistical portrait is based on 19 indicators of well-being: (1) children in families receiving welfare; (2) children receiving free or reduced-price meals; (3) high school employment; (4) births to teen mothers; (5) low birth weight; (6) infant mortality; (7) late or no prenatal care; (8) adequacy of prenatal care; (9) physical fitness tests; (10) preschool experience; (11) meeting Connecticut Mastery Test Goal; (12) below Connecticut Mastery Test Basic Level; (13) meeting Connecticut Academic Performance Test goal; (14) below Connecticut Academic Performance Test Basic Level; (15) high school dropouts; (16) child abuse or neglect; (17) child deaths; (18) preventable teen deaths; and (19) juvenile violent crime arrests. The report begins with an overview noting the importance of economic stability in children's welfare and highlights three special topics of concern: oral health, high school dropout rates, and child care. The next four sections describe the 27 regional assignments, for reporting purposes, of towns, school districts, and geographic areas. Following demographic data, the report presents regional trends in the child well-being indicators in chapters addressing security, health, education, and safety. The report ends with regional profiles of population estimates by town, and charts of child well-being indicators by region and in comparison to the state as a whole. (SD)

This report presents data on U.S. births using information from the birth certificates of the 3.96 million births in 1999. Data are presented for maternal demographics (age, live-birth order, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, and educational attainment); maternal characteristics (medical risk factors, weight gain, tobacco use, and alcohol use); pregnant women's medical care utilization (prenatal care, obstetric procedures, labor and delivery complications, birth attendant, and delivery method); and infant characteristics (gestation, birthweight, Apgar score, abnormal conditions, congenital anomalies, and multiple births). Birth and fertility rates are presented by age, live-birth order, race, Hispanic origin, and marital status. Data by mother's state of residence, month and day of birth, sex ratio, and father's age are included. Trends in fertility patterns and maternal and infant characteristics are described. Birth and fertility rates changed little in 1999. Teenage birth rates fell slightly. Rates for women age 20-24 years declined slightly. Rates for women in their late 20s and 30s rose slightly. Number of births to unmarried women, birth rate, and percentage of births to unmarried women rose about 1 percent each. Improvements in prenatal care utilization continued. Percentage of low birthweight was 7.6 percent. Preterm births were 11.8 percent. (SM)

This report presents data for the nation's 50 largest cities for every year from 1990-98 on eight measures of a healthy start to life (teen births, repeat teen births, births to unmarried women, low maternal education, late or no prenatal care, smoking during pregnancy, low-birthweight births, and preterm births). It identifies cities that have seen notable improvements in specific measures and those that are performing much better than average. It expands on a 1999 report by updating data through 1998, providing annual data for each year back to 1990, offering a one-page narrative description of how each city fared during 1990-98, and publishing a companion book with state-level data. Findings reveal consistent disparity between birth outcomes in the 50 cities and those for the nation. Birth outcomes in the cities are not as good as those elsewhere. Children in the cities are more likely to experience each of five risks associated with negative child outcomes. While racial differences in birth outcomes exist, many actually reflect differences in income, education, and availability of effective services. Three appendixes include: cities ranked by indicator, 1998; definitions, data sources, and reporting issues; and primary contacts for state KIDS COUNT projects. (SM)

This Kids Count data book examines statewide trends in the well-being of Indiana's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators in 10 general areas: (1) child and family demographics; (2) economic well-being; (3) poverty; (4) child safety; (5) child abuse and neglect; (6) education; (7) child health; (8) mortality; (9) high risk behavior; and (10) juvenile justice. The first part of the data book summarizes findings in the areas listed above. The data indicate an increase in single parent households, cases of child abuse, and infant mortality. The data also indicate a decrease in teen birth rates, high school graduation rates, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, marijuana use, juvenile arrest rates, and juvenile delinquency cases. The second section of the data book includes indicator definitions and data sources. The remainder and bulk of the data book contains state and county profiles for the indicators, with comparison data for the current year and a baseline year. (SD)

This KIDS COUNT factbook details statewide trends in the well-being of Wyoming's children. Following an overview of key indicators, the factbook documents state trends for 36 indicators: (1) child and youth population; (2) births; (3) unintended pregnancy; (4) low birth weight babies; (5) early prenatal care; (6) immunizations; (7) chronic disease; (8) early identification, diagnosis, and intervention; (9) injury; (10) family violence; (11) infant deaths; (12) child deaths; (13) babies born to unmarried mothers of all ages; (14) births to mothers who smoked during pregnancy; (15) alcohol and illegal drug use during pregnancy; (16) teen births; (17) sexually transmitted diseases; (18) adolescent tobacco use; (19) adolescent drug and alcohol use; (20) children affected by divorce; (21) juvenile crime arrests; (22) teen violent deaths; (23) teen motor vehicle related deaths; (24) teen suicides; (25) child and adolescent nutrition and obesity; (26) education; (27) average daily membership in schools; (28) drop out incidences; (29) infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with developmental disabilities; (30) licensed child care facilities; (31) Head Start; (32) STARS (a system that tracks licensed child care providers); (33) poverty; (34) welfare reform; (35) "Kid Care" (state children's health insurance program); and (36) children with asthma. The factbook continues with a section on state and county profiles addressing selected demographic, education, child health, and well-being indicators for the period 1990-1999. The data indicate declining trends in low birth weight babies, child and youth population, births, and juvenile arrests for all crime types. Increasing trends are noted for the percent of babies born to single mothers, teen suicide, drop out rate, percent of children in single parent households, teen birth rate, and juvenile arrests for violent crime. The factbook concludes with information on advocacy opportunities. (SD)

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends in the well-being of South Carolina's children. The statistical portrait is based on 42 indicators in the areas of demographics, family, economic status, health, readiness and early school performance, scholastic achievement, and adolescent risk behaviors. The indicators are: (1) population; (2) births to teen mothers; (3) births to mothers not completing high school; (4) births to single mothers; (5) divorce rate; (6) single-parent family; (7) parents working; (8) abuse and neglect; (9) family violence; (10) separation from parents; (11) out of home placements; (12) adult/child ratio; (13) poverty; (14) barriers to self-sufficiency; (15) income; (16) child support payments; (17) prenatal care; (18) low birth weight; (19) infant mortality; (20) childhood injuries and deaths; (21) immunization; (22) sexually transmitted diseases; (23) healthy lifestyles; (24) tobacco use; (25) disabilities; (26) emotional and behavioral disorders; (27) inadequate health care; (28) ambulatory care; (29) first-grade readiness; (30) first- through third-grade failure rates; (31) overage for grade three; (32) special education; (33) achievement trends; (34) Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test; (35) dropout rates; (36) adolescents not in school or employed; (37) sexual activity and pregnancy; (38) alcohol use; (39) heavy drinking; (40) drug use; (41) juvenile delinquency; and (42) adolescent deaths. Statewide data and summary information are provided for each indicator. Thirteen tables are included and summarize specific indicator information. The report's findings indicate that too many children are at risk of not growing up to become self-supporting adults, with 25.1% in single-parent families, 21% in poverty, 33.4% not graduating from school, 37.4% of high school students using alcohol, and 19.6% using drugs each month. (SD)

This Kids Count factbook examines statewide trends in well-being for South Dakota's children. The statistical portrait is based on 24 indicators in the areas of demographics, health, education, economic status, and safety. The indicators are: (1) poverty thresholds; (2) population; (3) population on Indian Reservations; (4) infant mortality; (5) low birth weight rate; (6) child death rate; (7) teen violent death rate; (8) rate of births to single teens; (9) prenatal care rates; (10) immunization rates; (11) school enrollment; (12) dropout rates; (13) number of children with special needs; (14) poverty statistics; (15) personal income; (16) number of women in the workforce; (17) TANF, food stamps, and Medicaid recipients; (18) child care services; (19) juvenile offense referrals; (20) child abuse and neglect rates; (21) youth related traffic accidents; (22) juvenile drug and alcohol treatment admissions; (23) youth tobacco use; and (24) youth risk behaviors. The first part of the factbook presents introductory materials and a summary of the report. The major portion of the factbook presents state and county data tables for each indicator. Among the findings are the following: the percent of children living with underemployed parents is one of the lowest in the country; teen birth rate is 50% below the national rate; infant mortality rate has declined; and the child death rate is among the highest in the nation. The factbook concludes with a section listing data resources, Web sites of interest, information on performing data calculations, and interpretation instructions. (SD)

This Kids Count special report examines how children born in each state fared on selected measures of a "right start." This statistical portrait is based on trends in eight indicators of well-being: (1) percent of total births to teens; (2) percent of repeat teen births; (3) percent of total births to unmarried women; (4) percent of total births to mothers with less than 12 years of education; (5) percent of total births to mothers receiving late or no prenatal care; (6) percent of total births to mothers who smoked during pregnancy; (7) percent of low birth-weight births; and (8) percent of preterm births. Following an introduction detailing the importance of each indicator, the report is comprised of profiles for each individual state. The data are provided for each year from 1990 to 1998, and data for the United States as a whole are presented to provide a point of comparison. Findings indicate that the most notable signs of progress in the 1990s were a drop in the percentage of mothers receiving late or no prenatal care and a drop in the percentage of mothers reporting smoking during pregnancy. Modest progress was evident in a decline in repeat teen births and a decline in the share of births to mothers with less than 12 years of education. The United States lost ground in the percentage of births that were low birth weight, the percentage of infants born prematurely, and the percentage of total births to unmarried women. Substantial differences were identified by race and Hispanic origin for each indicator except smoking during pregnancy. The report's three appendices contain state rankings by indicator for 1998; definitions, data sources, and reporting issues; and the primary contacts for state Kids Count projects. (KB)

This seventh annual report card is produced to heighten awareness of the health of the children of North Carolina by summarizing important child health indicators. The report is intended to assist health administrators, legislators, and family advocates in their efforts to improve the health and safety of children statewide. Data are presented for the most current year available and a comparative year (usually 1995) as a benchmark. The following indicators are used: (1) insurance coverage; (2) infant mortality; (3) low birth-weight infants; (4) immunization rates; (5) communicable diseases; (6) environmental health; (7) dental health; (8) early intervention; (9) child abuse and neglect; (10) deaths due to injury; (11) alcohol, tobacco, and substance abuse; (12) physical fitness; (13) obesity; and (14) teen pregnancy. Grades are assigned for each indicator based either on the percentage change in an indicator's current data in relation to the same indicator in a prior year, or on a general consensus among the sponsoring organizations. The report notes that for several indicators--including infant and child death rates, uninsured rates, the immunization rate--the data are the best ever reported. However, for several other indicators--including child abuse and neglect, child abuse homicides, asthma, obesity in low-income children, and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal substances--the data remain extremely worrisome. The report concludes with data notes and definitions. (HTH)

This Kids Count data book examines trends in the well-being of California's children, focusing on factors for school success. The statistical portrait is based on trends in 32 indicators of well-being in 4 areas: (1) education, including reading and mathematics achievement, high school dropout rates, and student-teacher ratios; (2) family economics, including child poverty rates, median household income, fair market rent values, and child and infants receiving WIC; (3) health, including first trimester prenatal care, low birthweight infants, teen birth rates, and infant mortality; and (4) safety, including child abuse rates, foster care rates, incarcerated juveniles, gun injuries and deaths, and motor vehicle injuries and deaths. The data book's introduction summarizes findings, noting that there were considerable differences in educational outcomes across and within California counties, that low family income is a common experience for Californian children, and that there continue to be improvements in the proportion of pregnant women receiving timely prenatal care and the survival rates of infants past the first year. Recommendations to improve children's chances for school success are made in the areas of early care and education, family economics, child health, safety, and community action. Part 1 of the report provides county level data for each of the indicators, as well as rankings comparing each county with others in the state. Following information on the indicators and data sources, part 2 of the report provides tables of demographic information and for each indicator at the state and county level. (KB)

This Kids Count data book for 2001 examines statewide and county level trends in the well-being of Michigan's children. The statistical portrait is based on over 40 indicators of well-being in the areas of: (1) economic security; (2) child health; (3) child safety; (4) adolescence; and (5) education. Introductory comments note the report's focus on children as part of families and identify the numbers and rates of birth defects as new indicators included in this data book. Section 1 of the report provides background demographic information on the child population, households with children, and race and ethnicity. Sections 2 through 6 present current information and examine trends in each of the above areas. Findings indicate that during the 1990s fourth- and seventh-grade reading achievement on the Michigan Education Assessment Program showed significant improvement. The teen birth and teen death rates declined. Injury deaths among teens dropped almost a third. The most profound worsening trend was the increased rate of children involved in an investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect. Despite the decline in child poverty during the 1990s, the percent of children participating in the School Lunch Program remained a third higher than a decade earlier. Measures of maternal and infant health have also worsened. Particularly high levels of racial segregation are described along with consistent racial disparities in health and education outcomes. The report's final section presents state and county profiles of well-being. Information on data notes and sources completes the report. (KB)

Noting that the last decade has seen population shifts, economic and governmental changes, and different family and work patterns that have influenced the lives of children and their families of southeastern Pennsylvania, this report presents information on the current situation for children and families in the five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania. Statistics are presented in eight areas: (1) child health, including prenatal care, teenage pregnancy, health coverage, and lead poisoning; (2) child care, including number of children between birth and 5 years and number of accredited child care facilities and Head Start spaces; (3) child welfare, including reports of child abuse, and adoptions; (4) the safety net, including percentage of children living in poverty, and children from families receiving cash assistance; (5) making sure children have enough to eat, including food stamp and Women Infants and Children supplemental food programs; (6) reaching out to new and old communities, focusing on the growing diversity of children in southeastern Pennsylvania; (7) education, including per pupil expenditure; and (8) juvenile justice, including delinquency placements and youth in county detention facilities. Each section contains descriptions of promising practices as well as recommendations for actions needed in the area. (Contains 26 footnotes.) (KB)

This Kids Count factbook examines statewide and county trends in the well-being of Georgia's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators in five domains: family and community, economic well-being, health, education, and safety and security. The 21 indicators of well-being are: (1) child population; (2) public school enrollment; (3) families starting at risk of poverty; (4) children in poverty; (5) median household income; (6) students receiving free or reduced school lunch; (7) children in families receiving TANF; (8) children in families receiving food stamps; (9) low birth weight babies; (10) infant mortality; (11) prenatal care; (12) births to teens; (13) repeat births to teens; (14) Iowa Test of Basic Skills scores; (15) high school completions; (16) high school graduates eligible for HOPE scholarships; (17) babies born to mothers with less than 12 years of education; (18) child deaths; (19) teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide; (20) child abuse and neglect; and (21) juvenile arrests. The report's findings indicate that progress was made toward improving: poverty rates among children, infant mortality rates, rate of births to teens, math scores on the Iowa Tests, high school completions, rates of child deaths and teen deaths, and incidents of child abuse and neglect. The report's findings also indicate change for the worse in the areas of: families starting at risk of poverty, students eligible to receive free or reduced school lunches, low birthweight babies, some Iowa Test reading scores, and juvenile arrests. The factbook ends with a special report concerning economic development and child well-being. (SD)

This KIDS COUNT fact book details statewide and county trends in the well-being of North Dakota's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators of children's well-being in seven areas: (1) population; (2) family composition; (3) economic condition; (4) child care; (5) child health; (6) education; and (7) children at risk. The report begins with an overview of the data's organization, criteria for data selection, data presentation, and data limitations. The bulk of the report then presents data for 8 geographical regions of the state, followed by profiles for each of the state's 53 counties, including multi-year trend data. The final section provides indicators, definitions and data sources, and summarizes North Dakota KIDS COUNT project activities over the past 6 years. Important findings from the report include a decrease in the number of children in the state; increase in low birth weight babies but a decrease in the number of mothers receiving inadequate prenatal care; decrease in the number of child abuse and neglect victims; increase in the number of high school dropouts; and a decrease in the number of children in families receiving TANF, but an increase in the number of children eligible for Medicaid. (HTH)

This 7th annual Kids Count Factbook provides information on trends in the well-being of children in Maryland and its 24 jurisdictions. The statistical portrait is based on 18 indicators of well-being: (1) low birth-weight infants; (2) infant mortality; (3) early prenatal care; (4) binge drinking; (5) child deaths; (6) child injury rate; (7) grade 3 reading achievement; (8) violence-related school suspensions; (9) absence from school; (10) on-time high school graduation; (11) high school program completion; (12) teen death rate; (13) child abuse and neglect; (14) juvenile non-violent crime arrests; (15) juvenile violent crime arrests; (16) child poverty; (17) child support; and (18) births to teens. The Factbook provides indicator definitions, and summarizes findings for the state level and jurisdictional level for each indicator. The data indicate improvement in measures for infant mortality, prenatal care, child deaths, grade 3 reading, school absences, high school graduation and program completion, child abuse and neglect, juvenile crime, child support collection, and births to teens. Indicators showing a worsening trend are low birth-weight births, binge drinking, violence-related school suspensions, and child poverty. (HTH)

This paper traces the history of "The Right Start," discussing differences between the 50 largest cities and the nation overall and differences among states. It highlights eight measures reflecting a healthy start: teen births, repeat teen births, births to unmarried women, births to mothers with low educational attainment, late or no pregnancy care, smoking during pregnancy, low-birthweight births, and preterm births. Mother's age, educational attainment, and marital status are often related to the newborn's socioeconomic and social status. Poverty rates for children born to unmarried, teenage high school dropouts are 10 times those of children born to unmarried high school graduates over age 20 years. Low birthweight and short gestation are closely linked to newborn health. Mortality rates for low-birthweight babies are 20 times those of normal-birthweight babies. Conditions such as inadequate prenatal care and/or smoking during pregnancy affect birth outcomes. Between 1990-99, five of the eight measures improved nationally, though births to unmarried women increased substantially. The largest cities lagged behind the nation on everything but smoking during pregnancy. The 50 cities made important progress during the 1990s on the same five measures that improved nationally. (SM)

Noting that one of every eight Ohio children live in Appalachian counties and that preparing these children to become productive, contributing members of Appalachia's culture and economy hinges on making sure that all children are healthy, ready for school, and attend safe and effective public schools, this report is the first to examine health care, early care and education, and public education for Ohio's Appalachian children. Among the major findings of the report are that household income in Appalachia increased at a faster rate than in the rest of Ohio during the 1990s, although overall incomes remained lower than those statewide, with child poverty rates higher than those in the rest of the state. Welfare rolls have dropped dramatically since 1995. Compared to the rest of the state, there are fewer health care and child care programs available to serve Appalachian children. Despite fewer educational resources available in Ohio's urban and suburban schools, Appalachia's achievement rates on Ohio's Proficiency Tests are about equal to statewide results. In spite of poverty and limited resources, Appalachian communities are working to create partnerships and services to meet children's needs. The report includes an action agenda detailing suggestions for local leaders, businesses, and other community groups to help ensure the healthy development of children in Ohio's Appalachian region. The report further provides contact information for the programs profiled in the report. Statewide trends are noted for each indicator presented in the accompanying factsheets. Region-wide and county factsheets detail: (1) population, poverty rates, and welfare rolls; (2) children enrolled in Medicaid; (3) key birth outcomes; (4) oral health status of third graders; (5) child care costs, assistance, and supply; (6) Head Start enrollment; and (7) school district proficiency test results and trends. (Contains 36 references.) (KB)

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends in the well-being of Tennessee's children. The statistical portrait is based on 34 indicators of children's well-being in 5 broad areas: (1) infant, child, and teen health, including enrollment in the TennCare (replacement for Tennessee's Medicaid Program) insurance program, prenatal, low birthweight infants, immunizations, enrollment in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and teen pregnancy and birth; (2) child and teen well-being, including child abuse and neglect, child death, teen violent death, juvenile justice, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and state custody; (3) education, including child care, Head Start, dropout rate, school safety, and school nutrition; and (4) economic security, including poverty, food stamps recipients, and unemployment; and (5) demographics. Following the narrative highlighting major findings, the report provides findings, by county, for each of the indicators. Among the findings are the following: (1) 45 percent of TennCare recipients are 20 years or younger; (2) 74 percent of women received adequate prenatal care; (3) the rate of low birthweight infants increased slightly from the previous year and is still considerably higher than the National Healthy People goal; (4) the infant mortality rate continues to decline; (5) the number of teen births declined, with the rates for Hispanic and African-American teens still higher than that for Caucasians; (6) approximately 12 percent of school-aged children receive special education; and (7) the percentage of 16- to 19-year-olds who are high school dropouts declined by one percentage point. The report concludes with maps, primary and secondary indicators, and data definitions and sources. (Contains 82 references.) (KB)

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends and county data on the well-being of Nebraska's children. Section 1 contains a commentary on promoting quality early childhood care and education services. Section 2, the bulk of this statistical report, presents finding on indicators of well-being in eight areas: (1) child abuse and neglect/domestic violence (investigated and substantiated cases, reporting, types of abuse, child abuse fatalities in 2000, domestic violence/sexual assault programs, how domestic violence affects children); (2) early childhood care and education (early childhood development programs, child care facilities and subsidies); (3) economic well-being (TANF, earned income tax credit, single parent families, divorce and child support); (4) education (high school graduates, school dropouts, expelled students, special education); (5) physical and behavioral health (birth, prenatal care, low birth weight, births to teens, out-of-wedlock births, immunizations, infant mortality, child deaths, access to health care, blood lead levels, mental health and substance abuse treatment, youth risk behavior survey); (6) juvenile justice (juvenile arrests, probation, youth rehabilitation and treatment centers, victims of rape, adult jail and parole for juveniles); (7) nutrition (food stamps, USDA nutrition programs); and (8) out-of-home care and adoption (out-of-home care, state foster care review board, children in out-of-home care, licensed and approved foster homes, multiple placements, race and ethnicity, adoption services). Section 3 presents county data notes. Section 4 presents specific county data in table form. Sections 5 through 7 present information concerning methodology, data sources, definitions, references, and Kids Count Team members. (SD)