Georgia KIDS COUNT 2007 Briefing Information Embargoed Until July 25, :00 a.m.

A national and state-by-state effort funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Tracks the status of child well-being in the U.S. through reporting current and credible data. Ranks states using 10 key indicators. KIDS COUNT

Seeks to enrich local, state, and national discussions concerning ways to secure better futures for all children. Publishes an annual Data Book, issues annual state rankings of child well- being. Interactive database at KIDS COUNT

Measures how children and families are faring in the state. Includes national, state, and county-level data, as well as Census data by legislative districts. Represents the largest compilation of the most current and reliable available data from a variety of sources in Georgia Georgia KIDS COUNT

County, state, and national data online – County profiles, available September 10% Improvement in Key Indicators Snapshots of Georgia’s Children Children in Georgia: By the Numbers Workshops at October conference 2007 Georgia KIDS COUNT

National Ranking for 2007 is 41 st

On the 10 national indicators, Georgia ranked 41 st  Child deaths, teen deaths, teen births, high- school dropouts, teens not attending school and not working, children in single-parent families  Infant mortality  Low birthweight; children in poverty; children in families where no parent has full-time, year- round employment

Georgia Is In the Bottom 10 States on Six Indicators Infant mortality: 42 nd Low birthweight: 43 rd Teen birth rate: 43 rd Children in single-parent families: 43 rd Teens not attending school and not working: 45 th High-school dropouts: 47 th

Other National Rankings Children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment: 26 th Teen death rate: 28 th Child death rate: 29 th Percent of children in poverty: 36 th

2007 Georgia Trends

Child Population: Diversity Increased Georgia is growing and becoming more diverse –The child population increased 8% from 2000 to 2005 (2.2 million to 2.3 million) White children increased 2% Black children increased 8% Asian children increased 28% Multiracial children increased 28% Hispanic/Latino children increased 58% Children in immigrant families increased 47%

number

2007 Trends: Child Health

 More than one in four infants born without a healthy start in  Infant mortality rates have remained higher than national averages for the past 10 years.  Teen birth rate continues to improve but Georgia remains among the eight worst states in the nation. Starting at birth, Georgia’s children do not fare well…

42 nd national rank 2007 Per 1,000

percent 43 rd national rank 2007

Per 1, rd national rank 2007

Per 1,000

Outcomes for Georgia Counties TEEN BIRTHS (Ages 15-19, Rate per 1,000, 2005) Worst Wayne108.2 Murray110.7 Ben Hill110.9 Quitman123.5 Candler125.4 Best Oconee14.3 Fayette16.5 Harris24.0 Columbia24.1 Chattahoochee24.5 Note: 3 counties had less than 5 teen births.

2007 Trends: Safety

2007 Trends: Child Safety The child death rate has improved. Yet disparities exist for black children as compared to white children. The overall teen death rate increased from 2004 to 2005 but the violent death rate improved. Child neglect continues to be the dominant type of child maltreatment. In 2006, 76% of children entering foster care were reunified with families or placed with a relative within one year.

Per 100, th national rank 2007

Per 100, th national rank 2007

2007 Trends: Education

 Nearly one-fourth of children born in Georgia have mothers with less than 12 years of education.  For Hispanic infants, 60% are born to mothers with low educational attainment.  Indicators of school success show considerable disparities for Hispanic, black, economically disadvantaged, and migrant students.

percent 47 th national rank 2007

Georgia percent

Outcomes for Georgia Schools HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION (Percent, ) Worst Chattooga50.8 McIntosh47.4 Dooly44.3 Talbot38.1 Stewart34.0 Best Commerce City94.7 Trion City91.8 Fayette91.0 Buford City88.8 Calhoun City88.1 Note: 5 counties do not have high schools. Data for city and county school systems.

2007 Trends: Economic Security  Child poverty continues to be widespread and more children live in poverty now than five years ago, 20% compared to 18%.  Nine percent of Georgia children live in extreme poverty compared to eight percent nationally (income below 50% of poverty level).  42% of Georgia children live in low-income families compared to 40% nationally (income below 200% of poverty level for 2005).  Half of Georgia school-age students qualify for free or reduced school meals, an increase from 48% in

percent 36 th national rank 2007

2007 National Essay: Foster Care Lifelong Family Connections: Supporting Permanence for Children in Foster Care Georgia has many initiatives to support foster children Partnering with the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta on efforts to promote the work and supports needed for foster youth

Improving Indicators in Georgia What would it take to make a 10% improvement in key indicators? 295 fewer children in poverty per county One infant death prevented per county 10 fewer teen births per county 31 fewer high-school dropouts per county

Next Steps: Framing, Engaging So what? Georgia has been in bottom ten of national rankings for almost 17 years. Economic well-being of Georgia at odds with well-being of children and families. Partnerships to focus attention on disparities and work together to find solutions.

Family Connection Partnership For more information contact: William Valladares, Communications Coordinator 235 Peachtree Street, Suite 1600 Atlanta, GA Phone: Fax: Web site: