Low birth weight – defined as about 5 ½ pounds – affected just over 8 percent of all babies born in 2005, a slight increase over the previous year, the federal government reported. These infants face higher risks of death in the first year or of long-term disability.
Overweight and obesity plagues U.S. youngsters. In 2003-04, nearly one in five children ages 6 through 17 was overweight, heightening the risk of chronic ailments such as diabetes and heart disease. Poor children are disproportionately affected.
Tooth decay is often the most overlooked childhood disease. Though oral health has improved for most Americans – thanks to dental sealants and fluoride in public water systems – preventable decay is rising in young children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 28 percent of preschoolers have had cavities in their baby teeth. By age 19, 68 percent have had decay in permanent teeth. Poor oral health can interfere with a child’s general health, appearance and ability to learn. Untreated, it can lead to infection that, at its extreme, can be life threatening.
Mental disorders severe enough to cause some level of impairment affect one in 10 U.S. children, the National Institute of Mental Health finds. Yet, in any given year, mental disorders are identified and treated in only one in five children, the National Alliance on Mental Illness reports. Half of all serious and persistent mental disorders emerge by age 14. Often, there are long delays – sometimes decades – between the emergence of symptoms and any diagnosis. Early identification and treatment can reduce the long-term disability of mental disorders, research shows.
Health Care.
The number of uninsured Americans increased by 3.4 million between 2004 and 2006, despite improving economic conditions, according to a 2008 Health Affairs report. In the first four years of the decade, during a period of economic recession, the number increased by 6.0 million. The dominant factor in both periods, the findings show, was a decline in employer-sponsored insurance coverage. Although the recent decline was less than that experienced from 2000 to 2004, growth in public coverage was small, and the number of uninsured people increased by 1.0 million children and 2.4 million adults. Employer coverage declined most for self-employed or small-firm workers, in the South, and among noncitizens.
SCHIP, created in 1997 to provide health care for children whose low-income families still earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, is set to expire Sept. 30. The program now serves 6.6 million U.S. children for roughly $5 billion a year. By some estimates, as many as 9 million children qualify for SCHIP, which provides a capped amount of funds to states on a matching basis.
Though the popular program enjoys bipartisan support, conservatives don’t want to expand it to the extent that Democratic leaders in Congress do. In February, President Bush called for stricter limits on child participants’ family income. In August, both the Senate and the House of Representatives voted to continue SCHIP for five years and broaden its reach. On Aug. 17, the federal Center for Medicaid and State Operations sent a letter informing state administrators it was adopting tough new standards designed to halt extending SCHIP to middle-class families, The New York Times reported.
(Visit the Economics section to find more information and resources about Medicaid and SCHIP.)
Federal Sources
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; www.acf.hhs.gov
ACF funds state, territory, local and tribal organizations to improve the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals and communities. It oversees roughly 60 programs involving child welfare, Head Start, child care, family violence, and fatherhood and marriage.
Contact: 202.401.9215; officeofpublicaffairs@acf.hhs.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; www.cdc.gov
The CDC, based in Atlanta, Ga., covers the spectrum of child and
youth disease prevention and health issues. It provides information
on birth defects (which affect one in every 33 babies born in the
United States); vaccination; nutrition, overweight and
obesity; reproductive and sexual health; and disease outbreaks
or threats. Its well-organized Web site breaks out information in
many ways, including by life stages. It also offers state fact sheets
on healthy youth and provides tips for college students.
Among its components are:
It tracks incidents, where they occur and how to avoid or
minimize them. Its violence prevention division provides statistics
and background on child maltreatment, youth and intimate
partner violence, sexual violence and suicide.
It provides information on childhood lead poisoning and many
other hazards.
Contact: 404.639.3286; in.the.news@cdc.gov
Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics; www.ChildStats.gov
A collaboration of federal agencies and departments, the forum fosters coordination in collecting and reporting federal statistics on family and social environment, economic circumstances, health and health care, physical environment and safety, behavior and education. Such data are released each July in the report, “America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-being.” For 2007 data, click here.
Contact: Shara Godiwalla, forum director, 301.458.4256; sgodiwalla@cdc.gov. Or, reach agency representatives via http://www.childstats.gov/topiccontacts.asp.
Indian Health Services; www.ihs.gov
IHS’s mission is to help American Indians and Alaska Natives reach their highest levels of physical, mental, social and spiritual health through comprehensive, culturally acceptable health services. It currently serves 1.5 million people among more than 557 tribes in 35 states. Its fact sheets explore subjects such as diabetes, behavioral health, injuries, health facilities and funding disparities. It’s based in Rockville, Md., with 12 regional offices.
Contact: 301.443.3593
National Center for Health Statistics; http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/
Part of the Centers for Disease Control, NCHS tracks births, deaths, marriages and divorces, immunization rates, even the mean weights and heights of children (for 8-year-old boys, it was 61 pounds and 51 inches in 1965, rising to 72 pounds and 52 inches by 2002).
Contact: Bill Crews, public affairs specialist, 301.458.4774; wgcl@cdc.gov
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development;; www.nichd.nih.gov
NICHD, part of the National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports research on children, adults, families and specific populations. Its research touches all aspects of child health, from reproductive health to growth and development; from preventing and treating birth defects, mental retardation and developmental disabilities to improving health and rehabilitation over a lifetime. It’s leading the National Children’s Study, which is following 100,000 children from before birth to age 21 to determine how their genes and environments affect their health and development. The first results aren’t expected until at least 2010. The institute is in Bethesda, Md.
Contact: Robert Bock, press officer, 301.496.5133; bockr@mail.nih.gov
National Institute of Mental Health; www.nimh.nih.gov
Part of the National Institutes of Health, NIMH devotes considerable research and support to child and adolescent mental health. Its Web site provides background on mental health, disorders (such as autism and depression) and treatments. It provides information on coping with violence and traumatic events, and it links to current research and reports. NIMH also produces “The Numbers Count,” a fact sheet on the prevalence of mental disorders.
Contact: 301.443.4536; nimhpress@mail.nih.gov.
Other Sources
American Academy of Pediatrics; www.aap.org
The organization of 60,000 pediatricians is committed to attaining optimal physical, mental and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The academy publishes the monthly scientific journal Pediatrics, the continuing education journal Pediatrics in Review and patient education guides. Its Web site provides topical information on childhood health, on issues ranging from breast feeding to autism to obesity. It also posts policy statements, practice guidelines and other child health resources. The academy is based in suburban Chicago.
Contact: Debbie Linchesky, media relations manager, 847.434.4000; dlinchesky@aap.org
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; www.aapd.org
The Chicago-based membership organization represents 7,000 members working in private offices, clinics and hospitals. Through professional development and lobbying, AAPD advocates for policies, guidelines and programs that promote children’s optimal oral health care.
Contact: Marianthi Bumbaris, press coordinator, 312.337.2169; mbumbaris@aapd.org
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research; www.aei.org
AEI’s Health Policy Studies Program examines issues such as vaccine development; health coverage for the uninsured, including children; and the role of private-sector solutions to public-health problems.
Contact: Veronique Rodman, media specialist, 202.862.4870; vrodman@aei.org
Annie E. Casey Foundation; www.aecf.org
The nonprofit foundation, based in Baltimore, aims to foster public policies, human-service reforms and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of vulnerable children and families. Its Kids Count Data Center, an outgrowth of the child well-being report it releases each summer, contains state- and city-level data for over 100 measures of child well-being, including health.
Contact: Laura Beavers, research associate, 410.223.2975; lbeavers@aecf.org
Association of Health Care Journalists; www.healthjournalism.org
The independent, nonprofit AHCJ is dedicated to improving the quality, accuracy and visibility of health care reporting, writing and editing. Housed at the University of Missouri in Columbia, it serves roughly 1,000 members via an annual spring conference, workshops and boot camps, fellowships, an annual contest and a listserv. AHCJ publishes print and online media resource guides, such as “Covering the Quality of Health Care,” available free to members.
Contact: Christy Stretz, communications coordinator, 573.884.5606; info@healthjournalism.org
Children’s Environmental Health Network; www.cehn.org
The national organization aims to protect the fetus and child from environmental health hazards and to promote a healthy environment. It works to safeguard children from harmful substances in their environments, whether pesticide residue in food, air pollutants that can cause asthma, or plastic additives that can distort hormones. It provides training to health care providers, religious leaders and others; supports and disseminates research; and advocates on behalf of children’s environmental health.
Contact: Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, executive director, 202.543.4033 Ext. 14; noot@cehn.org
Children’s Health Fund; www.childrenshealthfund.org/
The national pediatric mobile program supports direct health services and public education programs in the most disadvantaged rural and urban communities. It partners with major academic medical centers to deliver care. Its flagship program is in New York City. CHS was created by pediatrician Irwin Redlener – who also directs the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health – and singer/songwriter Paul Simon.
Contact: media@childrenshealthfund.org
Commonwealth Fund; www.commonwealthfund.org
The New York-based, national philanthropy promotes a high-quality health care system with better efficiency and access, especially for low-income people, minorities, the uninsured, young children and elderly adults. It supports independent research and makes grants to improve health care practice and policy. Commonwealth’s Child Development and Preventive Care Program supports improvements in preventive care – particularly services dealing with cognitive, emotional and social development – for young children. Its Assuring Better Child Health and Development initiative, operating in 18 states and Puerto Rico, encourages routine developmental and behavioral screening of young children and screening for parental depression.
Contact: Mary Mahon, senior public information officer, 212.606.3853 or 917.225.2314; mm@cmwf.org
Environmental Working Group; http://www.ewg.org/
The Environmental Working Group provides consumers with information and resources while pushing for national policy change. The EWG Action Fund advocates on Capitol Hill for health-protective and subsidy-shifting policies. Contact: D.C. office, 202.667.6982; California office, 510.444.0973
Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; www.kkf.org
An independent philanthropy focused on major health care issues, the foundation runs research and communications programs. Its work focuses on three main areas: health policy; media and public education; and health and development in South Africa. It has resources on child and family health coverage, including a link to state-by-state coverage initiatives and state-level data. See information on media fellowships here.
Contact: Rakesh Singh or Craig Palosky, communications officers, 202.347.5270; rsingh@kff.org or cpalosky@kff.org
National Academy for State Health Policy; www.nashp.org
The independent, nonprofit academy helps states with health policy and practice. It conducts policy analysis and research and provides technical assistance to states. NASHP has developed reports and resources on child and adolescent health, on topics ranging from early childhood development to health insurance to obesity to special needs. It also administers the Assuring Better Child Health and Development Initiative, underwritten by the Commonwealth Fund, to assist low-income children and their families. The academy has offices in Portland, Maine, and Washington, D.C.
Contact: 207.874.6524; info@nashp.org
National Association of Children's Hospitals; http://www.childrenshospitals.net
The 215-member organization, based in Alexandria, Va., conducts public policy research, analysis, education and advocacy on behalf of children. Its online media center offers extensive data on children’s health, as well as an interactive expert database of more than 500 contacts.
Contact: Norida Torriente, assistant public relations director, 703.797.6059; ntorriente@nachri.org
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy; http://www.teenpregnancy.org/
The nonprofit, nonpartisan campaign promotes values, behavior and policies that reduce both teen pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy among young adults. It conducts polls and other research, and has data on births by the mother’s age, race/ethnicity and more, at both national and state levels. It also has information on promising programs and practices.
Contact: Bill Albert, deputy director, 202.478.8500; balbert@teenpregnancy.org
National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety;
http://www.marshfieldclinic.org/nfmc/pages/default.aspx?
page=nccrahs_welcome
The center strives to improve the health of children and youths living in rural areas and working in agricultural environments. It supports research and promotes issues such as safe-play areas on farms, avoiding youth tractor crashes, and establishing the National Agricultural Safety Database’s child safety section.
Contact: Scott Heiberger, communications specialist, 715.389.7541 or 800.662.6900 Ext. 7; heiberger.scott@mcrf.mfldclin.edu
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center;
www.mchoralhealth.org/knwpathoralhealth.html
The federally funded center guides states and communities in addressing public oral health issues. It collaborates with numerous public and private entities to gather, develop and share information and materials. It’s based at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
Contact: Katrina Holt, director, 202.784.9551;kholt@georgetown.edu
National Scientific Council on the Developing Child; http://www.developingchild.net/
The multi-disciplinary group involves leading scholars in neuroscience, early childhood development, pediatrics and economics. The council works to build informed leadership in both the public and private sectors to close the gap between what is known and what is done to promote the successful learning and sound physical and mental health for all young children. An outgrowth of “From Neurons to Neighborhoods,” a landmark report from the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, the council is housed at Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child.
Contact: Alan Race, communications director, 617.495.4158; al_race@harvard.edu
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; http://www.rwjf.org/
The foundation is the nation’s largest philanthropy supporting improved health and health care for all Americans. Based in Princeton, N.J., it has committed $500 million to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Its Vulnerable Populations program promotes community-based supports for immigrant children and families, among others, and encourages early mental health screening and treatment for adolescents.
Contact: Gina Ivey, communications officer, 609.627.7559; givey@rwjf.org
Society for Research in Child Development; www.srcd.org
The nonprofit, multidisciplinary association has roughly 5,500 member researchers, practitioners and human development professionals. SRCD supports research, information sharing, and encourages practitioners and policymakers to apply research findings. Among its publications are a quarterly Social Policy Report and the bimonthly Child Development journal. Recent briefs summarize research and recommendations on Head Start and on how children cope with disaster.
Contact: Mary Ann McCabe, communications director, 202.289.7902; mmccabe@srcd.org
The number of people without health insurance coverage rose from 45 million (15.3 percent) in 2005 to 47 million (15.8 percent) in 2006, Census noted in “Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2006.”
Government Sources
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/schip.asp
CMS, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administers SCHIP, launched Oct. 1, 1997, to help states expand health care coverage to uninsured U.S. children. The federal government provides matching funds to states.
Contact: Mary Kahn, press officer, 202.690.7158; mary.kahn@cms.hhs.gov
Health Care Financing Administration; http://www.os.dhhs.gov/about/opdivs/hcfa.html
HCFA has oversight of the Medicare program, the Federal portion of the Medicaid program and related quality assurance activities. Today, HCFA serves 67 million people, or one in four elderly, disabled, and poor Americans through Medicare and Medicaid. HCFA estimated health care spending would consume 16 percent of the nation's GDP in 2006.
Other Sources
Children’s Health Fund; www.childrenshealthfund.org/
The national pediatric mobile program supports direct health services and public education programs in the most disadvantaged rural and urban communities. It partners with major academic medical centers to deliver care. Its flagship program is in New York City. CHS was created by pediatrician Irwin Redlener – who also directs the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health – and singer/songwriter Paul Simon.
Contact: media@childrenshealthfund.org
Health Policy Institute, Georgetown University; http://ihcrp.georgetown.edu/
The multi-disciplinary group of faculty and staff conducts research on key issues in health policy and health services research: health care financing, the uninsured, federal health insurance reforms, quality of care and outcomes research, mental health services research, and the impact of market changes on providers and patients.
Contact: 202.687.0880
Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; www.kkf.org
An independent philanthropy focused on major health care issues, the foundation runs research and communications programs. Its work focuses on three main areas: health policy; media and public education; and health and development in South Africa. It has resources on child and family health coverage, including a link to state-by-state coverage initiatives and state-level data. For information on media fellowships, see here.
Contact: Rakesh Singh or Craig Palosky, communications officers, 202.347.5270; rsingh@kff.org or cpalosky@kff.org
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; http://www.aacap.org/
The nonprofit AACAP represents more than 7,500 child and adolescent psychiatrists and other physicians, who research, evaluate, diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders. It has developed fact sheets on stress, depression, eating disorders, psychiatric medication, tobacco use and many other topics. It’s based in Washington, D.C.
Contact: 202.966.7300; communications@aacap.org
Child Study Center, New York University; http://www.aboutourkids.org/
The center, developed in collaboration with the NYU School of Medicine, provides parents and children with information, research, resources and treatment related to psychiatric disorders. Its Web site offers an A-to-Z guide of disorders and treatments, plus a mental health dictionary. The center publishes several newsletters for parents and others. Its founding director is Harold S. Koplewicz.
Contact: 212.263.6622; press@AboutOurKids.org
Family Voices Inc.; www.familyvoices.org
The national, grassroots network supports family-centered, community-based services for children with special health care needs. The organization serves as a national clearinghouse for information and education and has 10 regional coordinators across the U.S. The national office is in Albuquerque, N.M.
Contact: 505.872.4774
Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health; http://www.ffcmh.org/contact.htm
The national, nonprofit organization, based in Rockville, Md., is dedicated to helping children with mental health needs and their families achieve a better quality of life. It provides leadership, focusing members to be a potent force for improving how systems respond to children and their families, and it seeks to help policy makers, agencies and providers improve services.
Contact: 240.403.1901; ffcmh@ffcmh.org
Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; www.bazelon.org
The center, based in Washington, D.C., protects and advances the rights of adults and children with mental disabilities. It lobbies and educates, publishing materials explaining legal and policy issues. Its 2006 report, “Way to Go: School Success for Children With Mental Health Needs,” identified model programs.
Contact: Lee Carty, communications specialist, 202.467.5730 Ext. 121; leec@bazelon.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness; www.nami.org
The grass-roots, nonprofit alliance, based in Arlington, Va., strives to help individuals and families living with serious mental illness. Its Child and Adolescent Center tracks policy legislation and compiles data on children’s mental health and disorders, in areas such as prevalence, early identification, suicide, school failure, and juvenile and criminal justice involvement.
Contact: Darcy Gruttadaro, director, 703.516.7965; darcy@nami.org
Turnaround for Children; http://www.turnaroundforchildren.org/
The nonprofit organization – formerly the Children’s Mental Health Alliance – works to create a healthy social, emotional and academic environment supporting child development. Its comprehensive approach removes barriers to learning, provides connections to caring adults, and breaks destructive cycles while giving children needed tools and support. It’s in New York City.
Contact: 212.899.3005; info@tfcusa.org
Overweight youngsters face increased risk of future health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Some immediate repercussions may range from social stigma to high blood pressure, the federal government reported in “America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2007.” During 2003–2004, black, non-Hispanic females ages 6–17 were at particularly high risk of being overweight (25 percent), compared with white, non-Hispanic and Mexican American females (16 percent and 17 percent, respectively).
Sources
Action for Healthy Kids; www.actionforhealthykids.org
A public-private partnership of more than 50 national organizations and government agencies representing education, health, fitness and nutrition, Action for Healthy Kids combats the epidemic of overweight, sedentary and undernourished youth. The partnership, based in suburban Chicago, focuses on changing schools to improve nutrition and increase physical activity.
Contact: 800.416.5136; media@actionforhealthykids.org
Center on Hunger and Poverty; http://www.centeronhunger.org/
Part of Brandeis University in suburban Boston, the center promotes policies to improve the lives of low-income children. It provides research and policy analysis, public education initiatives, and assistance to policy makers and organizations across the country on poverty- and hunger-related issues.
Contact: hunger@brandeis.edu
Children’s Nutrition Research Center, www.kidsnutrition.org
The federally funded center, housed at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, researches nutrition in optimal prenatal development, nutrient-gene interactions, regulatory controls of body weight and body composition, childhood dietary habits, and the role of phytonutrients in plant foods.
Contact: Dipali Pathak, communications specialist, 713.798.4710; pathak@bcm.edu
Food Research and Action Center; www.frac.org
The Washington, D.C. based nonprofit organization works to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and poor nutrition in the United States. FRAC collaborates with national, state and local nonprofits, public agencies and corporations to address hunger and poverty. It coordinates the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger. Geraldine Henchy directs its early childhood nutrition programs.
Contact: Henchy, 202.986.2200; ghenchy@frac.org
School Nutrition Association; http://www.schoolnutrition.org/
The national, nonprofit professional organization has advanced the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs since 1946. Based in Alexandria, Va., it represents more than 55,000 members.
Contact: Erik Peterson, 703.739.3900
In youth with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the brain matures in a normal pattern but is delayed an average three years in some regions compared to their peers without the disorder, the National Institute of Mental Health reports.
RAND researchers have found a strong link between adolescent tobacco use and paid work, leading to a recommendation that policymakers monitor work conditions to minimize temptation.
Sources
Black Youth Project, University of Chicago; http://blackyouthproject.uchicago.edu/
A project of the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, it examines attitudes, resources and culture of African Americans ages 15 to 25. It explores how these factors and others – from family to peers to music – influence decision-making, norms and behavior in critical domains such as health, sex and politics. The project began in 2004 and includes a survey and in-depth interviews.
Contact: 773.702.8051; cjcohen@uchicago.edu
Forum for Youth Investment; www.forumforyouthinvestment.org
The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization is dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are ready for college, work and life. Based in Washington, D.C., the forum provides youth and adult leaders with information, training, network support and partnership opportunities. Its executive director is Karen Pittman.
Contact: Thaddeus Ferber, program director, 202.207.3333; Thaddeus@forumfyi.org
Konopka Institute for Best Practices in Adolescent Health; http://www.konopka.umn.edu/
The University of Minnesota institute provides information, programs and policy support to those serving adolescents. It conducts, translates and disseminates research and convenes seminars, serving as a clearinghouse on adolescent health.
Contact: 612.626.2820
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice; http://www.adjj.org/content/index.php
The network of cross-disciplinary experts seeks to expand the base of knowledge about the origins, development, prevention and treatment of juvenile crime and delinquency. It aims to disseminate that knowledge to the public and policymakers to improve decision-making in the current system and to prepare the way for future reforms. Its director is Laurence Steinberg, a distinguished professor of psychology at Temple University.
Contact: Steinberg, 215.204.7485; lds@temple.edu
National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health; http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/resteam
The nationally representative study explores the causes of health-related behaviors of adolescents in grades 7 through 12 and their outcomes in young adulthood. Add Health examines how social contexts – families, friends, peers, schools, neighborhoods and communities – influence adolescents’ health and risk behaviors. Data for the federally funded study were collected in 1994 and 1996. In 2001 and 2002, investigators interviewed respondents in their young adulthood. The project is based at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Contact: addhealth@unc.edu
Health Affairs: Designing Children’s Health Care (March/April 2007; Volume 26, Number 2) ;
http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/vol26/issue2/
This issue serves as a primer: on the gaps between health care needs and reality; insurance design; the role of schools; and a proposed federal Department of Children's Affairs drawn from existing federal agencies. The journal is based in Bethesda, Md.
Contact: Chris Fleming, communications manger, 301.656.7401 Ext. 944; cfleming@projecthope.org
“KIDS COUNT Data Book,” Annie E. Casey Foundation; http://www.aecf.org/MajorInitiatives/KIDSCOUNT.aspx
At the national level, KIDS COUNT compiles the best available data to measure children’s educational, social, economic and physical well-being. State-level projects provide a more detailed, county-by-county picture of children’s conditions. By providing policymakers and citizens with benchmarks of child well-being, the Baltimore-based foundation’s project seeks to enrich local, state and national discussions concerning ways to secure better futures for all children. The first national data book was published in 1990.
Contact: Laura Beavers, research associate, 410.223.2975; lbeavers@aecf.com
