NCJ Number
242918
Date Published
2013
Length
56 pages
Annotation
After presenting an overall assessment of child well-being in the United States as of 2012, this report focuses on children's economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.
Abstract
This year's report provides some hopeful signs regarding children's well-being in the United States. The latest data show continued incremental improvement in educational achievement as well as child health and safety; and there has been a record low level of births for teen mothers; however, children and their families are still coping with the effects of the recession and continued high unemployment. Child poverty continued to increase in 2011, 2 years after the recession ended. Although African-American and Latino children are overrepresented among those living in poverty, greater numbers of children of all racial and ethnic groups are facing socioeconomic conditions that can impede long-term success. Research indicates that one of the most cost-effective strategies in addressing these circumstances is to increase education and promote nurturing relationships in a child's early years. The focus should be on education and services for both parents and their children. Efforts should focus on early care and education programs that have proven their effectiveness in providing stimulating environments and activities for young children. The States are ranked on overall child well-being using an index of key indicators. Extensive maps and figures and appended detail on the Index, definitions and data sources, primary contacts for the State KIDS COUNT Project, and the role of the Annie E. Casey Foundation in KIDS COUNT