New Kids Count Data Center Available Online, Shows NH Making Improvements,

 but Cautions that Three Percent More NH Children are Living in Poverty

According to a report released this week by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, NH has once again claimed “First in the Nation” status for trends in child well-being, the fourth time in five years that we have been granted this honor.  However, rank alone cannot paint a true picture of how NH youth are faring.  Unfortunately, since 2000, NH has seen a three percent (3%) increase in Child Poverty.

 Now in its 20^th year, the KIDS COUNT Data Book provides state-by-state information and statistical trends on the needs and conditions of America’s most disadvantaged children and families. Included in the Data Book is an essay, “Counting What Counts,” which looks at the country’s progress in keeping track of children’s well-being, measuring the impact of public programs, and holding ourselves accountable for improving their futures.

 "I am pleased that New Hampshire is once again leading the nation in providing a safe, healthy environment for our children and our families. It is important that we continue to provide the opportunities for a better future for our children," Governor Lynch said. "That is why as Governor I have worked to expand access to children's health insurance, to pass tough new laws to protect children from predators, and to make it possible for more young people to graduate from high school."

 The 20^th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book indicators show that between 2000 and 2006/7, the years for which there is complete data in New Hampshire:

• Four measures of child well-being improved: child death rate, teen death rate, teen birth rate and teens who are high school dropouts
• Four areas of child well-being worsened:  low birth-weight babies, infant mortality rate, child poverty, children whose living in families where no parent as full-time, year-round employment and percent of children in poverty
• Two measures of child well-being remain unchanged: teens not in school and not working, children in single-parent families

“Certainly, this is a time for New Hampshire to be proud of the work it does to support children,” says Ellen Fineberg, President of the NH Children’s Alliance.  “However, just as a child cannot stop working once receiving an “A” on a report card, we cannot assume that our work is done.  Our primary concern is the increase in child poverty, since poverty has the capacity to negatively impact every aspect of children’s lives.”

This year’s Data Book is complemented by a new online and mobile-friendly Data Center, available on the NH Children’s Alliance web site, (www.ChildrenNH.org) that contains multiple measures of child well-being covering state and county. Users can now access geographic profiles that include information on education, economic well-being, the number of children in immigrant families, health, and many more topics.

“As the New Hampshire KIDS COUNT grantee, we are delighted to make the new data center available on our web site.” says Ellen Fineberg. “I urge our state and local leaders to closely examine this revealing and easily understood data and use it to inform decisions about the best investments that we can make for our children.   Even in this time of limited public resources, we can support a state budget that reflects our commitment to NH children and families.”

The essay accompanying the 2009 national KIDS COUNT publication makes the case that child outcomes could be vastly improved through better use of information and technology. In addition, rigorous data analyses can help authorities understand and begin eliminating the disparities in the public systems that serve minority groups and the poor.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Children’s Alliance of NH together call upon governmental leaders, state and local decision makers, and children’s advocates to transform how they use data to improve the lives of vulnerable children:

• Commitment at the state and local level by improving performance measurement: Steps that can be taken include stronger administrative databases, enhanced data analysis, support of data-driven practice improvements, and the expanded use of new information technologies.
   
• Engagement of children’s advocates and other concerned leaders: Awareness and mobilization efforts include implementing data-driven advocacy; identifying critical benchmarks; and utilizing neighborhood indicators and community mapping.

 “Better futures for children will not occur simply by combining better data, stronger data analysis, and an increased use of new technology,” says Douglas W. Nelson, president and CEO of the Casey Foundation. “It is time to make a national commitment to counting what counts in order to meet the needs and boost the outcomes for less-fortunate children. It’s time to focus on the evolving needs of the next generation of millions of children whose future well-being is on the line.”