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This Kids Count Data book details trends in the well-being of Connecticut's children. The statistical portrait is based on 23 indicators in the areas of demographics, security, health, education, and safety. This year's new format presents the data at the county and town levels, covering 169 municipalities and 8 counties. The data book begins with an essay, "The Tale of Two Connecticuts," spotlighting inequities among the state's children and families, followed by an index of Connecticut towns and a map of towns and counties. The data are then presented for the 23 indicators: (1) children living in poverty; (2) children living in neighborhoods with 20 percent or more below poverty level; (3) youths not in school or working; (4) children speaking a language other than English at home; (5) children living with one or more parents; (6) race of children under age 18; (7) children under age 18 of Hispanic ethnicity; (8) demographic data by county and town; (9) Connecticut population; (10) children receiving Temporary Family Assistance (TFA); (11) eligibility for free or reduced price school meals; (12) births to teen mothers; (13) low birth weight births; (14) infant mortality; (15) late or no prenatal care; (16) preschool experience; (17) meeting Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) Goal; (18) meeting Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) Goal; (19) annual high school dropout rate; (20) child care subsidies (infant/toddler, preschool, school-age); (21) substantiated allegations of child abuse/neglect; (22) child deaths; and (23) preventable teen deaths. (HTH)

This Kids Count data book provides state and county trends in the well-being of Kansas' children. The statistical portrait is based on 22 indictors in the areas of economic well-being, physical health and safety, childhood care and education, emotional well-being, and social behavior and social control. Following a state profile, county data are presented for the following indicators: (1) births to school-age mothers; (2) children in poverty; (3) children approved for free school meals; (4) childhood deaths; (5) infant mortalities; (6) births with adequate prenatal care; (7) kindergartners fully immunized by age two; (8) low birth-weight babies; (9) Early Head Start participation; (10) Head Start participation; (11) child care availability; (12) high school graduate post-secondary education; (13) births to mothers with less than a high school degree; (14) students graduating from high school; (15) out-of-home placements; (16) teen violent deaths; (17) reported child abuse and neglect; (18) substantiated child abuse and neglect; (19) juvenile court filings; (20) youth who report using tobacco in preceding 30 days; (21) youth who report binge drinking; and (22) youth who report using other drugs. Measures showing notable improvement include childhood death rates, Head Start participation, immunization rates, and use of tobacco and binge drinking. Measures remaining steady include infant mortality, low birth-weight births, and post-secondary education or training among high school graduates. Measures showing deterioration include free school meal enrollment and reported child abuse and neglect. The data book concludes with notes and a list of data sources. (HTH)

This report profiles the 2000 status of and changes (since 1990) in rates of health and health-related measures for racially and culturally diverse populations living in the 100 largest U.S. cities and their suburbs. Data came from the U.S. Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify patterns in race/ethnicity, foreign born status, language use, poverty, income, low birth weight, teen births, prenatal care, and tuberculosis. Results found varying degrees of progress among Blacks, Whites, Hispanics, and Asians. The most consistent and, in many cases, strongest improvements occurred among non-Hispanic Blacks in cities and suburbs. Hispanics experienced more modest, and on some indicators, negligible progress. Changes among Asian populations generally tracked with those for non-Hispanic Whites, who made modest improvements during the 1990s. Rates of increase in low birth weight for both city and suburban Whites were the largest among all four racial/ethnic groups. Despite progress among Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians, significant racial and ethnic disparities with Whites persisted for most measures. The analysis confirmed that although suburban rates overall on social and health indicators tended to be better than city rates overall and within each ethnic group, on several indicators, differences were narrowing. The research methodology is appended. (Contains 43 endnotes.) (SM)

This Kids Count factbook examines statewide trends in the well-being of South Dakotas children. The statistical portrait is based on 25 indicators in the areas of demographics, health, education, economics, and safety. The indicators include: (1) poverty thresholds; (2) racial groups; (3) single age years; (4) households and families; (5) infant mortality; (6) low birth weight; (7) child death; (8) teen violent death; (9) births to single teens; (10) prenatal care; (11) immunizations; (12) school enrollment; (13) school dropout rates; (14) children with a disability; (15) poverty statistics; (16) personal income; (17) women employed; (18) TANF/food stamps/Medicaid; (19) child care; (20) free and reduced price lunch recipients; (21) juvenile justice; (22) child abuse and neglect; (23) youth related traffic accidents; (24) juvenile drug and alcohol abuse; and (25) youth risk behavior survey. The first section of the factbook presents introductory materials and comparative information between South Dakota and the United States. The major portion of the factbook presents state and county data tables for each indicator. Among the findings are the following: South Dakota has the highest percentage rate in the nation of children under 6 in paid child care while parents work; the state ranks 5th for children living with fully employed parents; children in low-income working families face uncertain futures; and improvement in child poverty rate outpaces the national rate. The factbook concludes with a section listing data resources, websites of interest, data calculation information, and interpretation instructions. (SD)

This Kids Count data book details statewide trends in the well-being of Virginia's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators of child well-being in five areas: healthy births, adolescent well-being, health and safety, education, and economic security. Specific indicators examined are: (1) births to single women; (2) early prenatal care; (3) infant mortality; (4) low birth-weight babies; (5) births to teenage girls; (6) intake involving juvenile delinquency; (7) juveniles arrested for violent crimes; (8) teen violent deaths; (9) child abuse and neglect; (10) child deaths; (11) children in foster care; (12) child day care capacity; (13) high school dropouts in grades 9-12; (14) students eligible for special education services; (15) students promoted in grades K-3; (16) children in families receiving TANF; (17) per capita income and median income; (18) students approved for free or reduced price school lunch; and (19) unemployment. Following an essay on assessing school readiness, the data book presents data for 1995 and 2001, by county, for each of the indicators. The data book concludes with 53 endnotes and a list of data sources. (HTH)

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 details trends in the well-being of children in Texas. The statistical portrait is based on indicators in the areas of: (1) family and community population; (2) economic resources, security, and opportunity; (3) early care and education; (4) school success; (5) teens at risk; (6) physical, social, and emotional health; (7) hunger and nutrition; and (8) safety and personal security. Each of these core sections includes descriptions of trend data for the state of Texas, as well as point-in-time comparisons among the six largest counties where the majority of Texans live. County rankings for nine of the indicators are appended. Among the findings of the report are the following: (1) an increase in children living in single-parent families, especially with single fathers; (2) an increase in the number of children in subsidized child care; (3) a decrease in juvenile violent crime; (4) a decrease in teen pregnancy but an increase in births to single teens; (5) improvement in infant mortality but an increase in low birth weight births; (6) decline in food stamp participation but an increase in WIC program participation; and (7) an increase in number of children in family violence shelters. (HTH)

This Kids Count data book examines national and statewide trends in the well being of the nation's children. Statistical portraits are based on 10 indicators of well being: (1) percent of low birth weight babies; (2) infant mortality rate; (3) child death rate; (4) rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide; (5) teen birth rate; (6) percent of teens who are high school dropouts; (7) percent of teens not attending school and not working; (8) percent of children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment; (9) percent of children living in poverty; and (10) percent of families with children headed by a single parent. Following an essay on the high cost of being poor, the bulk of the data book is comprised of national and state profiles. These profiles include information on demographics, education, economics, child health, children in low-income working families, trend data, and national rankings for each indicator. Among the findings, the data indicate that (1) two indicators, percent of low birthweight babies and percent of families with children headed by a single parent, have changed for the worse nationally; the child death rate has improved among each racial and ethnic group; (3) accidents continue to account for at least three times as many teen deaths as any other source; and (4) growth in the ranks of poor children over the past few decades has not been due to an increase in the number of welfare-dependent families but rather an increase in the number of working poor families. The report's three appendices provide standard scores and national rankings, multi-year trend data for Kids Count indicators, and multi-year national composite ranks. Definitions, data sources, criteria for selecting Kids Count indicators, and contacts for specific state projects conclude the data book. (HTH)

This Kids Count report examines state, county, and regional trends in the well-being of Colorado's children. The first part of the report is presented in four chapters. Chapter 1 includes findings regarding the increasing diversity of the child population, linguistic isolation, the impact of parental unemployment, child poverty, and the affordable housing challenge. Chapter 2 concerns vulnerable families, and presents findings regarding teen parents, declines in the teen birth rate, parents with low educational attainment, single-parent families, at-risk births, child abuse and neglect, out-of-home placements, and children of incarcerated parents. Chapter 3 highlights learning and education, and discusses the importance of early learning, the value of high-quality early care, program funding, school readiness, elementary and middle school student achievement, and outcomes of higher education. Chapter 4 focuses on child health and reports findings on health insurance, Medicaid enrollment, the state child health insurance program, maternal and child health indicators, mental health, oral health, asthma, obesity, chronic health conditions, and immunizations. The report next describes the It's About Kids project to stimulate dialogue of children's issues through a diverse child advocacy network. The remainder of the report then presents comparative state and regional data for the year 2001 for the following indicators: (1) demographics; (2) single parent families; (3) births to single women; (4) births to mothers lacking a high school diploma; (5) teen births; (6) repeat teen births; (7) three risk factor births (mothers under 25 years, unmarried, with less than 12 years of education); (8) out-of-home placements; (9) children enrolled in TANF; (10) children under 5 years receiving WIC; (11) children qualifying for free/reduced lunch; (12) median household income; (13) child poverty; (14) children under 6 with all parents in labor force; (15) low birth weight births; (16) early prenatal care; (17) women smoking during pregnancy; (18) infant mortality; (19) child deaths; (20) teen deaths; (21) children enrolled in Medicaid; (22) children enrolled in state health plan; (23) high school graduates; (24) high school dropouts; (25) teen dropouts; and (26) idle teens. The report concludes with data notes and definitions. (KB)

Focusing on the influence of impoverished environments on child outcomes, this Kids Count report examines trends in the well-being of Iowa children. The first section of the report presents an overview essay detailing the presence and location of high risk and moderate risk census tracts in Iowa, based on information from the 2000 Census using children and family measures. The second section presents a statistical portrait, by county, based on data for the following indicators of well-being: (1) infant mortality; (2) low birthweight births; (3) births to 16- to 17-year-olds; (4) teen unmarried births; (5) child abuse and neglect; (6) high school graduation rates; (7) child deaths; and (8) teen violent deaths. The third section of the report presents 1990 and 2000 Census data, by county, for indicators including population age 16-19 not employed or in school, household income, households receiving public assistance, single parent families, family poverty, and preschool enrollment. (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 data book details statewide trends in the well-being of Nevada's children. The statistical portrait is based on indicators of childrens well-being in five areas: (1) health conditions and health care; (2) economic well-being; (3) education and achievement; (4) child and youth safety and welfare; and (5) juvenile justice. The data book begins with an overview and profile of the state's demographics, including data on minority populations. The remainder of the report provides specific information on the primary indicators, organized as follows: (1) definition of the indicator and what it measures; (2) a summary of current research on the indicator at hand; and (3) a map indicating rates, percentages, and/or numbers presented for each county. The specific indicators examined are: (1) low birth weight babies; (2) births to teens; (3) births to mothers lacking adequate prenatal care; (4) enrollment in public-health programs; (5) health issues, such as smoking and drug use; (6) percent of children living in poverty; (7) children in families headed by a single parent; (8) children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment; (9) child care availability; (10) child support enforcement; (11) school enrollment in public/private and home schools; (12) achievement tests and college entrance efforts; (13) teens not in school and not working; (14) children and youth in special education; (15) infant mortality; (16) child deaths; (17) teen violent deaths; (18) child abuse and neglect; (19) children and domestic violence; (20) children in substitute [foster] care; and (21) juvenile violent crime. The data book concludes with county data, notes and list of resources. (Contains references organized by indicator area.) (HTH)

This Kids Count Fact Book is combined with the Families Count Fact Book to provide information on statewide trends affecting children and families in Delaware. The Kids Count and Families Count indicators have been combined into four new categories: health and health behaviors, educational involvement and achievement, family environment and resources, and community environment and resources. The Kids Count statistical profile is based on 10 main indicators of child well-being: (1) births to teens 15-17 years; (2) low birth weight babies; (3) infant mortality; (4) child deaths; (5) teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide; (6) high school dropouts; (7) teens not in school and not working; (8) children in poverty; (9) children in families with no parent employed full-time; and (10) children in one-parent households. Additional issues affecting children profiled in the report include: prenatal care; educational involvement and achievement; substance abuse; and asthma data. Indicators showing improvement are the teen birth rate, percent of children in poverty, and percent of children in one-parent families. Of concern are the rising numbers of low birth weight babies and the infant mortality rate. Other indicators, such as child death rate and teen deaths by accident, homicide and suicide have remained stable. The Families Count statistical profile details the conditions of families, children, and individuals in Delaware communities. Indicators include child support collections, home ownership, health care coverage, unemployment, domestic violence, and adult crime. The first part of the Fact Book details data for individual indicators; for each indicator a flag shows how the state compares to the U.S. average, and the recent state trend. The second part presents tables of data indicating long-term trends per indicator. (HTH)

This KIDS COUNT data book examines trends in the well-being of Minnesotas children. The statistical portrait is based on 11 indicators of child well-being: (1) children living in poverty; (2) children in families receiving food stamps; (3) children receiving free or reduced-price school lunch; (4) children born to teenage mothers; (5) children born at low birthweight; (6) children transferring schools; (7) children not graduating on time; (8) children arrested for serious crime; (9) children abused and neglected; (10) children in out-of-home placements; and (11) children dying from homicide, suicide and injuries. Following an introduction, the data book provides regional and statewide statistical summaries for each indicator, discusses the importance of the indicator, describes potential improvement strategies, and notes Minnesota trends. The data are then compared for 1992, 1996, and 2001. Among the positive trends noted are a decline in percentage of children in poverty, a decline in the number of children born to adolescent mothers, and a decrease in the number of arrests of children for violent crime. (HTH)

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 review of seven Healthy People objectives for the nation's 100 largest cities and their surrounding areas documents considerable but inconsistent progress toward improving health in urban and suburban areas. It describes achievements in reaching Healthy People 2000/2010 goals, which were created by the Office of the Surgeon General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for a set of infant health and infectious disease indicators and homicide rates. The review uses data from various agencies of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of the Census. Results indicate that on average, cities and their suburbs met or made progress toward meeting Healthy People 2000 goals for infant mortality, AIDS, tuberculosis, syphilis, and homicide between 1990-1999 and 1999-2000. The 2000 target for reducing low birth weight rates in both cities and their suburbs were not met, on average, between 1990-2000. Fewer suburban areas met the Healthy People 2000 low birth weight goal in 1999 than 1990. Large metropolitan areas in the U.S. saw a 24 percent decrease in the incidence of AIDS between 1990 and 2000; metropolitan areas in the northeast have the highest average AIDS rates. A number of cities in the northeast and midwest remained far apart from their suburbs on meeting Healthy People objectives. Many southern cities and suburbs remained behind other regions on a number of key indicators, including homicide rates, infant mortality rates, and tuberculosis rates. Despite significant improvements, concerns remain about the uncertainty and fragility of the progress achieved. (SM)

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 examines trends in the well-being of Minnesota's children. The statistical portrait is based on 11 indicators of child well-being: (1) children living in poverty; (2) children in families receiving food stamps; (3) children receiving free or reduced-price school lunch; (4) children born to teenage mothers; (5) children born at low birthweight; (6) children transferring schools; (7) children not graduating on time; (8) children arrested for serious crime; (9) children abused and neglected; (10) children in out-of-home placements; and (11) children dying from homicide, suicide and injuries. Following an introduction, the data book provides regional and statewide statistical summaries for each indicator, discusses the importance of the indicator, describes potential improvement strategies, and notes Minnesota trends. The second section and bulk of the report provides data by county, including demographics, areas of positive improvement and concern, and trends to watch. Data are compared for 1991, 1996, and 2000, and data for individual counties are compared to the overall statewide data. Among the long-term trends noted are a 10 percent decrease in poverty among children, a 23 percent increase in children born at low birthweight, and a 14 percent decrease in children born to teen mothers. Shorter term trends include fewer children in families receiving food stamps. (SD)

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 data book examines statewide trends in the well-being of Illinois' children. The statistical portrait is based on 24 indicators in the areas of family, health, safety, education, and economic security. The indicators are: (1) living arrangements for children; (2) teen births; (3) children in foster/substitute care; (4) foster children placed in permanent homes; (5) early intervention enrollment; (6) health insurance enrollment; (7) infant mortality; (8) percent of low birth weight babies; (9) asthma hospitalizations; (10) children who contracted vaccine-preventable diseases; (11) child abuse and neglect; (12) child deaths; (13) lead poisoning; (14) Head Start and Pre-K enrollment; (15) number of licensed child care providers; (16) class size; (17) per-pupil spending; (18) graduation rate; (19) self-sufficiency standard; (20) affordable housing; (21) children in poverty; (22) median household income; (23) families and children receiving TANF; (24) child support; and (25) students eligible for free and reduced lunch. The first part of the report explores the changing family, highlighting children's oral health, insurance costs, school readiness, earned income tax credit, and teen REACH program. Sources, definitions and endnotes follow. The bulk of the report presents data tables for each indicator for the state, the counties, and the city of Chicago. The report concludes with supplementary Web tables, the Charter for Illinois Children, acknowledgments, and list of advisory committee and board of directors members. (SD)

This KIDS COUNT data book examines national and statewide trends in the well being of the nations children. Statistical portraits are based on 10 indicators of well being: (1) percent of low birth weight babies; (2) infant mortality rate; (3) child death rate; (4) rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide; (5) teen birth rate; (6) percent of teens who are high school dropouts; (7) percent of teens not attending school and not working; (8) percent of children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment; (9) percent of children living in poverty; and (10) percent of families with children headed by a single parent. Among the findings, the data book shows that between 1990 and 1999, all but one state saw an increase in the percent of low birth weight babies, and all but four states had an increased percent of families with children headed by a single parent. The percent of teens who are high school dropouts was unchanged in the nation as a whole and decreased in 24 states. The remaining seven indicators showed improvement. The bulk of the data book is comprised of national and state profiles. These profiles include information on demographics, education, economics, child health, children in low-income working families, trend data, and national rankings for each indicator. Three appendices provide standard scores and national rankings, multi-year trend data for KIDS COUNT indicators, and multi-year national composite ranks. Definitions, data sources, criteria for selecting KIDS COUNT indicators, and contacts for specific state projects conclude the data book. (KK)

This Kids Count data book examines statewide trends in the well-being of Arkansas children. The statistical portrait is based on the following areas of childrens well-being: demographics; childrens living situations; family support; risks to children; resources for children; and public school environment. The specific indicators include: (1) child population; (2) children living with parents; (3) out-of-home placements; (4) family income; (5) children in families receiving TEA; (6) children in poverty; (7) low birth weights; (8) births to adolescents; (9) teen fertility rates; (10) child abuse cases; (11) youth held in state custody; (12) uninsured children; (13) food stamp cases; (14) student assaults; (15) child care capacity; (16) after-school and summer programs; (17) child abuse prevention programs; (18) pregnancy prevention programs; (19) abstinence programs; (20) 4-H clubs; (21) hospital beds; (22) physician availability; (23) children receiving mental health care; (24) Medicaid recipients; (25) children receiving food provision assistance; (26) academic achievement in reading and math; (27) dropout rate; (28) graduation rate; and (29) student teacher ratio. The first section of the data book presents introductory and methodological information, resources versus risk assessment of Arkansas counties, and an explanation of resources at risk. The major portion of the data book presents state and county data tables for each indicator. The data book concludes with three appendices including data notes and sources, resource and risk index, and raw data by county. (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)

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends in the well-being of North Carolina's children. The statistical portrait is based on 22 selected key indicators representing background demographics, economic, educational, health, and social well-being: (1) children poverty rate; (2) TANF recipients; (3) children in families receiving food stamps; (4) children enrolled in free/reduced price school meals; (5) children in publicly subsidized child care; (6) Medicaid child enrollment; (7) infant mortality; (8) low birthweight; (9) births to teens; (10) births to mothers with inadequate prenatal care; (11) child deaths; (12) child care enrollment; (13) third grade math and reading proficiency; (14) eighth grade reading and math proficiency; (15) SAT scores and percent of graduating seniors taking test; (16) public high school completion rate; (17) public high school dropout rate; (18) public high school per pupil expenditures; (19) reported child abuse and neglect; (20) substantiated child abuse and neglect; (21) foster care; and (22) youth in the juvenile justice system. Part 1 of the report explains the new indicators and charts in the report and provides an overview of the statewide findings. Appended to Part 1 is information on data sources and a discussion of the Leandro decision, a landmark court case concerning public education in North Carolina. Part 2, the bulk of the report, offers specific findings and trends over the past 10 years for all 100 counties and statewide information related to the Leandro decision. Part 3 of the report presents additional data notes and sources. (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 is combined with the Families Count Fact Book to provide information on statewide trends affecting children and families in Delaware. The Kids Count statistical profile is based on 11 main indicators of child well-being: (1) births to teens 15-17 years; (2) births to teens 10 to 14 years; (3) low birth weight babies; (3) infant mortality; (4) child deaths; (6) teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide; (7) juvenile violent crime arrests; (8) high school dropouts; (9) teens not in school and not working; (10) children in poverty; and (11) children in one-parent households. Additional issues affecting children profiled in the report include: prenatal care; children without health insurance; child abuse and neglect; and foster care. The report notes an improvement in births to teens, child death rate, and teens not graduating and not enrolled in school. Of concern are the increasing rates of low birthweight babies; infant mortality; teen deaths by accident, homicide, and suicide; teens not attending school and not working; and children in poverty. The rates of children in one-parent households and juvenile violent crime arrests have remained fairly stable. The Families Count statistical profile details the conditions of families, children, and individuals in Delaware communities. The seven indicator categories are the following: (1) unemployment; (2) risk of homelessness and substandard housing; (3) home ownership; (4) health care coverage; (5) child support; (6) adult crime; and (7) domestic violence. For each indicator, the recent trend in Delaware and Delaware compared to the U.S. average are posted. (HTH)

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 well-being of Alabamas children. The statistical portrait is based on 18 indicators in the areas of child health, education, safety, and security: (1) infant mortality rate; (2) low weight births; (3) child health index; (4) births to unmarried teens; (5) first grade retention; (6) school dropout rate; (7) projected school dropout rate; (8) child death rate; (9) children with indication of abuse or neglect; (10) juvenile substance abuse arrest rate; (11) juvenile substance abuse court referral rate; (12) juvenile violent crime arrest rate; (13) juvenile violent crime court referral rate; (14) preventable teen death rate; (15) vulnerable families; (16) children receiving AFDC/TANF; (17) children in poverty; and (18) single-parent families with children. The data book begins with an introduction and an explanation of features new to this years report. Following the summary of state data, county information on licensed child care, a list of the current and base years for indicator comparisons, and information on using the book, the bulk of the data book presents data for each indicator by county, as well as a summary of county data and county rankings. The data indicate that there have been statewide improvements in infant mortality, event and projected school dropout rates, child death rate, child abuse or neglect, preventable teen death rate, vulnerable families, and children receiving AFDC/TANF. Indicators with worsening statistics include low weight births, juvenile substance abuse arrest rate, and juvenile substance abuse court referral rate. The data book concludes with acknowledgements, definitions, notes, and information sources. (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 Factbook details county and statewide trends in the well-being of children in Oklahoma. The statistical portrait is based on seven indicators or benchmarks of child well-being: (1) low birthweight infants; (2) infant mortality; (3) births to young teens; (4) child abuse and neglect; (5) child and teen death; (6) high school dropouts; and (7) juvenile violent crime arrests. An overview presenting findings statewide indicates that, compared to data from the mid 1980s, current data show improvements in infant mortality, births to young teens, child deaths, high school dropouts, and juvenile violent crime arrests. However, there have been increases in the number of low birthweight infants and in child abuse and neglect cases since the mid 1980s, and 19 percent of Oklahoma children live in poverty. A special section of the Factbook focusing on the impact of welfare reform on Oklahoma children acknowledges the difficulty in separating the effects of welfare reform from those of the economy, and notes that the next challenge is to help families stay off welfare. The bulk of the Factbook is comprised of county profiles, in which data for each of the indicators are presented graphically. Concluding the Factbook are tips for understanding and using the data, explanations of methodology and data sources, and single tables compiling county data for each indicator. (Contains 35 references.) (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)