KIDS COUNT in Virginia: 1997 Data Book.

This KIDS COUNT data book examines statewide trends in the well-being of Virginia's children. The statistical portrait is based on six general areas of children's well-being: (1) healthy births; (2) children's health; (3) school success; (4) risky behavior; (5) families; and (6) community well-being. Key indicators in these six areas include the following: (1) prenatal care in the first trimester; (2) low birth weight; (3) infant mortality rate; (4) middle school physical fitness test winners; (5) child abuse and neglect; (6) child death rate; (7) grade 4 standardized test winners; (8) grade 6 literacy test winners; (9) high school dropout rate; (10) teenage sexually transmitted disease rate; (11) juvenile birth rate (12) alcohol or drug possession in school; (13) weapon possession in school; (14) juvenile violent crime arrests; (15) delinquency; (16) motor vehicle death rate; (17) teen violent death rate; (18) foster care out-of-home placements; (19) divorce rate; (20) births out of wedlock rate; (21) unemployment rate; (22) average income; (23) fiscal stress level; (24) students in school lunch program; (25) students in families receiving TANF; (26) average daily school membership; (27) instructional personnel rate; (28) child day care capacity; and (29) population per physician. Following a brief overview and discussion of the indicators, the first section provides information on the Commonwealth as a whole. The second section, and bulk of the report, provides profiles for the 135 different counties studied. Comparative data for 1991 through 1997 are included as well as current rank in relation to the other localities. The report's three appendices provide a look at prevention, suggested reading, and some comparisons of indicators between Virginia and the nation as a whole. (SD)