KIDS COUNT 2010 Fact Book Released on May 11th

KIDS COUNT in Delaware released the 2010 KIDS COUNT in Delaware/FAMILIES COUNT in Delaware Fact Book at a press release event held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront on May 11th.  The program was attended by approximately 250 people including media representatives, educators, child/family advocates and legislators.  This issue represents the 15th year for the KIDS COUNT in Delaware project to monitor the well-being of children and families in Delaware.

Trend data within Delaware in the past year has remained steady or shown improvement in eight of ten national indicators. While still well above the U.S. average, Delaware's percentage of low birth weight babies decreased this year for the first time since the mid-1980s. Additionally, the infant mortality rate for Delaware dropped for a second year in a row to 8.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. More work is necessary for further improvement on both indicators, however we are encouraged by the commitment and collaboration by the state's Delaware Healthy Mother and Infant Consortium to address these isues.

While the 2010 Fact Book uses data to illustrate a number of encouraging data changes, it also highlights areas of concern for the children of our state. Too many Delaware children live in poverty. Delaware's child poverty rate for the most recent reporting period (07-09) is 13.1 percent. Children are classified as living in poverty based on federal threshold figures which are updated annually. As of 2008, a family of three would need to make less than $17,346 annually to be considered in poverty. Related to this indicator is an increasing number of Delaware children who live in one-parent families (35.4% compared with 31.8% of U.S. children). Single parenthood significatntly increases the likelihood a child will live in poverty. 

To view the 2010 KIDS COUNT in Delaware/FAMILIES COUNT in Delaware, click here.