Kids Count in Michigan Data Book, 2001 : County Profiles of Child and Family Well-Being / Jane Zehnder-Merrell.

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)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.