2010 Kids Count Data Book Paints a Mixed Picture for South Carolina Children
July 27, 2010
South Carolina fares better than only five states in overall child well-being according to the latest Kids Count Data Book released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This is the same ranking as 2009 and represents South Carolina's average ranking for the past two decades.
The latest report reveals state improvements in rates of infant mortality, teen birth and teens who are not in school and who are not high school graduates, along with the teen death rate.
The state fell back on indicators relating to percentage of low birth-weight babies, children in poverty, and percentage of children living in single parent families. There was no statistical change in the child death rate. No information is available for percent of teens not attending school and who are not working, along with children living in families where no parent has full-time year-round employment.
"The Kids Count ranking reveals little continual progress on behalf of the well-being of our children," said Baron Holmes, South Carolina Kids Count Director. "Concern remains for the rapid growth in children in poverty over the past decade." Since 2000, the child poverty rate has increased by 16 percent to more than one in every five (22 percent) children in South Carolina now living below the poverty level.
"Being ranked 45th continually for the past two decades causes serious concern for the next generation of children," said Sue Williams, chief executive officer of The Children's Trust of South Carolina. "As a state we must begin to have a concentrated focus on the well-being of our children in a holistic manner."
