News (Media Awareness Project) - US VA: Measures Of Child Safety Virginia Ranks 19th In National |
| Title: | US VA: Measures Of Child Safety Virginia Ranks 19th In National |
| Published On: | 1999-05-27 |
| Source: | Washington Post (DC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 05:24:56 |
MEASURES OF CHILD SAFETY VIRGINIA RANKS 19TH IN NATIONAL STUDY
One of every 12 children in Virginia lives in a household that diminishes
his or her chances for a healthy childhood. The percentage of single-parent
families in the commonwealth has gone up by almost half since
1985--surpassing the national average. In Fairfax County, the rate of
students caught with weapons in school has decreased steadily to about half
the state average.
These and other revealing figures were released last week in two separate
but related reports that focus on the well-being of children in Virginia and
around the country.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its annual "Kids Count" report, which
compared states in 10 key areas, including the percent of low-birth-weight
babies born and the percent of children living in poverty. Action Alliance
for Virginia's Children and Youth, a nonprofit child advocacy group, also
released a "Kids Count in
Virginia" study, which examined similar statistics for each county and city
in the state.
The national study ranked Virginia 19th overall among states in terms of
child well-being. Maryland ranked 24th and the District came in last. The
study showed that Virginia has made significant improvements from 1985 to
1996 in the areas of infant mortality rates (down 33 percent), teenage
dropout rates (down 33 percent) and overall child death rates (down 23 percent).
But Lisa Wood, director of the Kids Count in Virginia project, said the
figures show that large numbers of children are still in dire straits.
Particularly noticeable is the 45 percent jump in the percentage of families
headed by a single parent, from 20 percent to 29 percent. And Wood points
out that despite economically prosperous times, the percentage of Virginia
children in poverty remains unchanged at 15 percent.
"If you look at almost every locality in Virginia, per capita income is
rising and unemployment is down, yet the statewide poverty numbers for
children remain the same," Wood said. "It's really become apparent that
there is no trickledown effect."
In the Virginia study, Fairfax County fared relatively well compared with
other jurisdictions. The figures for key health statistics involving
children were almost all better than the state averages.
For example, Fairfax's infant mortality rate of 4.1 for every 1,000 live
births was much less than the state's 7.8 for every 1,000 average. The
reported rate of sexually transmitted diseases among 12- to 17-year-old
youths was almost four times higher statewide than in Fairfax.
Evy Duff, the maternal and child health coordinator for Fairfax County's
health department, thinks messages that stress the importance of bike
helmets, swimming pool safety, car seats, sexual abstinence and safe sex
have gotten through to parents and teenagers.
"This doesn't mean there isn't room to reach more families," Duff said. "We
can't say 'Wow, we look good' and be complacent."
One area in which Fairfax's numbers weren't as good involved alcohol and
drugs on school grounds. The county's rate, 3.5 incidents for every 1,000
students, surpassed the state rate of 2.9 for each 1,000. However, the rate
of students caught with weapons on school grounds was almost half the state
average.
"The school system and the School Board have been pretty vocal about their
zero tolerance for guns and weapons in the school," said Fairfax County
schools spokeswoman Kitty Porterfield. "With numbers like this, one hopes
that the board's policies have paid off."
In comparison to Fairfax County, Alexandria posted higher figures for drug
and weapons possession on school grounds. For every 1,000 students, 4.8 were
caught with alcohol or drugs. The weapons rate was 3.4 for every 1,000
students. Alexandria also had a higher rate of 12- to 17-year-olds arrested
for violent crimes--more than double the state average. In these areas, the
city ranked in the bottom one-third compared with other Virginia cities and
counties.
In Arlington County--and elsewhere--the statistics had mixed messages for
local jurisdictions. There, 94 percent of fourth-graders had standardized
test scores above the 25th percentile--much higher than the state average.
At the same time, only 79.7 percent of pregnant women began prenatal care in
the first trimester, which was lower than the state average.
Wood, the Kids Count director, said each member of the Virginia General
Assembly will be sent a copy of the report. The goal, she said, is to allow
local jurisdictions to see how they compare with other localities.
Wood hopes that by shining some light on these figures, the welfare of
children will eventually improve.
Anyone interested can buy the book for $25.
Wood said the most recent numbers available were used as her office
completed the study.
"The goal is to present the information so each community can look at their
own strengths and weaknesses," Wood said.
THE WELL-BEING OF OUR CHILDREN
Virginia's national ranking in 10 areas of child well-being
Percent of low birth-weight babies: 31st
Infant mortality rate: 33rd
Child death rate: 11th
Rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide and suicide: 23rd
Teen birth rate: 22nd
Percent of teens who are high school dropouts: 16th
Percent of teens not attending school and not working: 11th
Percent of children living with parents who do not have
full-time, year-round employment: 13th
Percent of children in poverty: 17th
Percent of families with children headed by a single parent: 40th
SURVEY NUMBERS ARE FOR 1997
LOCAL INDICATORS: HEALTH
Low birth-weight babies
Alexandria: 7.2%
Arlington: 6.4%
Fairfax City: 7.3%
Fairfax County: 6.3%
Falls Church: 5.5%
All of Virginia: 7.7%
Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)
Alexandria: 4.7
Arlington: 6.0
Fairfax City: 4.0
Fairfax County: 4.1
Falls Church: 27.3
All of Virginia: 7.8
Child death rate, ages 1-14 (per 1,000)
Alexandria: .28
Arlington: .09
Fairfax City: .32
Fairfax County: .20
Falls Church: 1.37
All of Virginia: .22
Sexually transmitted diseases, ages 12-17 (per 1000)
Alexandria: 19.3
Arlington: 4.0
Fairfax City: 0.0
Fairfax County: 1.9
Falls Church: 14.5
All of Virginia: 7.5
Middle-schoolers passing all four spring physical
fitness tests
Alexandria: 33%
Arlington: 38%
Fairfax City: 40%
Fairfax County: 40%
Falls Church: 51%
All of Virginia: 37%
LOCAL INDICATORS: SAFETY
Founded cases of child abuse or neglect (per 1,000 children)
Alexandria: 14
Arlington: 6.8
Fairfax City: 2.5
Fairfax County: 2.5
Falls Church: 0.5
All of Virginia: 6.2
Incidents of students possessing alcohol or drugs in school (per 1,000)
Alexandria: 4.8
Arlington: 4.4
Fairfax City: 3.5
Fairfax County: 3.5
Falls Church: 0.7
All of Virginia: 2.9
Incidents of students possessing weapons in school (per 1,000)
Alexandria: 3.4
Arlington: 1.5
Fairfax City: 1.1
Fairfax County: 1.1
Falls Church: 0.0
All of Virginia: 2.0
Juveniles arrested for violent crime, ages 12-17 (per 1000)
Alexandria: 6.43
Arlington: 4.91
Fairfax City: 6.13
Fairfax County: 1.25
Falls Church: 4.85
All of Virginia: 3.09
LOCAL INDICATORS: EDUCATION
4th graders whose standardized test scores were above the 25th percentile
Alexandria: 82%
Arlington: 94%
Fairfax City: 94%
Fairfax County: 94%
Falls Church: 95%
All of Virginia: 86%
6th graders who passed all 3 Literacy Passport Tests
Alexandria: 55%
Arlington: 73%
Fairfax City: 82%
Fairfax County: 82%
Falls Church: 88%
All of Virginia: 68%
9th-12th graders who dropped out of school
Alexandria: 7%
Arlington: 5%
Fairfax City: 4%
Fairfax County: 4%
Falls Church: 1%
All of Virginia: 5%
Average daily school membership
Alexandria: 10,160
Arlington: 17,420
Fairfax City: 143,152
Fairfax County: 143,152
Falls Church: 1,465
All of Virginia: 1,081,642
Per-pupil expenditures
Alexandria: $9216
Arlington: $9783
Fairfax City: $7347
Fairfax County: $7393
Falls Church: $9848
All of Virginia: $5907
Students ages 6-18 eligible for special ed services (per 1000)
Alexandria: 152.2
Arlington: 156.8
Fairfax City: 118.5
Fairfax County: 118.5
Falls Church: 146.8
All of Virginia: 122.6
Number of school suspensions (per 1000)
Alexandria: 121.5
Arlington: 78.5
Fairfax City: 55.7
Fairfax County: 55.7
Falls Church: 90.8
All of Virginia: 101.6
Children ages 3-4 in Head Start (per 1000)
Alexandria: 74.1
Arlington: 76.1
Fairfax City: 9.0
Fairfax County: 9.9
Falls Church: 4.9
All of Virginia: 56.6
LOCAL INDICATORS: FAMILIES
Births to teenage girls, ages 15-17 (per 1000)
Alexandria: 37.4
Arlington: 25.9
Fairfax City: 22.5
Fairfax County: 9.6
Falls Church: 12.3
All of Virginia: 27.7
Births to single mothers
Alexandria: 27.4%
Arlington: 21.7%
Fairfax City: 21.5%
Fairfax County: 15.5%
Falls Church: 10%
All of Virginia: 29.3%
Foster care out-of-home placements
Alexandria: 137
Arlington: 173
Fairfax City: 717
Fairfax County: 717
Falls Church: 717
All of Virginia: 7,444
LOCAL INDICATORS: ECONOMY
Students approved for free or reduced-price school lunches
Alexandria: 52%
Arlington: 44%
Fairfax City: 17%
Fairfax County: 17%
Falls Church: 12%
All of Virginia: 32%
Children receiving TANF (formerly AFDC; per 1,000)
Alexandria: 91.9
Arlington: 47.9
Fairfax City: 15.0
Fairfax County: 15.0
Falls Church: 15.0
All of Virginia: 46.01
Unemployment rate
Alexandria: 3.1%
Arlington: 2.4%
Fairfax City: 1.4%
Fairfax County: 2.3%
Falls Church: 3.5%
All of Virginia: 4.0%
Average per capita income*
Alexandria: 42,729
Arlington: 41,056
Fairfax City: 38,586
Fairfax County: 38,586
Falls Church: 38,586
All of Virginia: 25,255
* Incomes listed are for 1996
ALEXANDRIA
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 116,405
Percent under age 18: 16.2%
Percent 65 & over: 10.8%
ARLINGTON
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 172,580
Percent under age 18: 16.1%
Percent 65 & over: 12.2%
FAIRFAX CITY
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 20,365
Percent under age 18: 19.6%
Percent 65 & over: 11.3%
FAIRFAX COUNTY
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 914,259
Percent under age 18: 24.4%
Percent 65 & over: 6.9%
FALLS CHURCH
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 9,879
Percent under age 18: 19.2%
Percent 65 & over: 16.4%
STATEWIDE
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 6,733,996
Percent under age 18: 24.4%
Percent 65 & over: 11.2%
Note that in some categories -- average school membership, for example --
Fairfax County includes Fairfax City and/or Falls Church. Also, results may
be skewed in jurisdictions with smaller populations.
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count report and Kids Count in
Virginia report prepared by Action
Alliance for Virginia's Children and Youth.
One of every 12 children in Virginia lives in a household that diminishes
his or her chances for a healthy childhood. The percentage of single-parent
families in the commonwealth has gone up by almost half since
1985--surpassing the national average. In Fairfax County, the rate of
students caught with weapons in school has decreased steadily to about half
the state average.
These and other revealing figures were released last week in two separate
but related reports that focus on the well-being of children in Virginia and
around the country.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation released its annual "Kids Count" report, which
compared states in 10 key areas, including the percent of low-birth-weight
babies born and the percent of children living in poverty. Action Alliance
for Virginia's Children and Youth, a nonprofit child advocacy group, also
released a "Kids Count in
Virginia" study, which examined similar statistics for each county and city
in the state.
The national study ranked Virginia 19th overall among states in terms of
child well-being. Maryland ranked 24th and the District came in last. The
study showed that Virginia has made significant improvements from 1985 to
1996 in the areas of infant mortality rates (down 33 percent), teenage
dropout rates (down 33 percent) and overall child death rates (down 23 percent).
But Lisa Wood, director of the Kids Count in Virginia project, said the
figures show that large numbers of children are still in dire straits.
Particularly noticeable is the 45 percent jump in the percentage of families
headed by a single parent, from 20 percent to 29 percent. And Wood points
out that despite economically prosperous times, the percentage of Virginia
children in poverty remains unchanged at 15 percent.
"If you look at almost every locality in Virginia, per capita income is
rising and unemployment is down, yet the statewide poverty numbers for
children remain the same," Wood said. "It's really become apparent that
there is no trickledown effect."
In the Virginia study, Fairfax County fared relatively well compared with
other jurisdictions. The figures for key health statistics involving
children were almost all better than the state averages.
For example, Fairfax's infant mortality rate of 4.1 for every 1,000 live
births was much less than the state's 7.8 for every 1,000 average. The
reported rate of sexually transmitted diseases among 12- to 17-year-old
youths was almost four times higher statewide than in Fairfax.
Evy Duff, the maternal and child health coordinator for Fairfax County's
health department, thinks messages that stress the importance of bike
helmets, swimming pool safety, car seats, sexual abstinence and safe sex
have gotten through to parents and teenagers.
"This doesn't mean there isn't room to reach more families," Duff said. "We
can't say 'Wow, we look good' and be complacent."
One area in which Fairfax's numbers weren't as good involved alcohol and
drugs on school grounds. The county's rate, 3.5 incidents for every 1,000
students, surpassed the state rate of 2.9 for each 1,000. However, the rate
of students caught with weapons on school grounds was almost half the state
average.
"The school system and the School Board have been pretty vocal about their
zero tolerance for guns and weapons in the school," said Fairfax County
schools spokeswoman Kitty Porterfield. "With numbers like this, one hopes
that the board's policies have paid off."
In comparison to Fairfax County, Alexandria posted higher figures for drug
and weapons possession on school grounds. For every 1,000 students, 4.8 were
caught with alcohol or drugs. The weapons rate was 3.4 for every 1,000
students. Alexandria also had a higher rate of 12- to 17-year-olds arrested
for violent crimes--more than double the state average. In these areas, the
city ranked in the bottom one-third compared with other Virginia cities and
counties.
In Arlington County--and elsewhere--the statistics had mixed messages for
local jurisdictions. There, 94 percent of fourth-graders had standardized
test scores above the 25th percentile--much higher than the state average.
At the same time, only 79.7 percent of pregnant women began prenatal care in
the first trimester, which was lower than the state average.
Wood, the Kids Count director, said each member of the Virginia General
Assembly will be sent a copy of the report. The goal, she said, is to allow
local jurisdictions to see how they compare with other localities.
Wood hopes that by shining some light on these figures, the welfare of
children will eventually improve.
Anyone interested can buy the book for $25.
Wood said the most recent numbers available were used as her office
completed the study.
"The goal is to present the information so each community can look at their
own strengths and weaknesses," Wood said.
THE WELL-BEING OF OUR CHILDREN
Virginia's national ranking in 10 areas of child well-being
Percent of low birth-weight babies: 31st
Infant mortality rate: 33rd
Child death rate: 11th
Rate of teen deaths by accident, homicide and suicide: 23rd
Teen birth rate: 22nd
Percent of teens who are high school dropouts: 16th
Percent of teens not attending school and not working: 11th
Percent of children living with parents who do not have
full-time, year-round employment: 13th
Percent of children in poverty: 17th
Percent of families with children headed by a single parent: 40th
SURVEY NUMBERS ARE FOR 1997
LOCAL INDICATORS: HEALTH
Low birth-weight babies
Alexandria: 7.2%
Arlington: 6.4%
Fairfax City: 7.3%
Fairfax County: 6.3%
Falls Church: 5.5%
All of Virginia: 7.7%
Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births)
Alexandria: 4.7
Arlington: 6.0
Fairfax City: 4.0
Fairfax County: 4.1
Falls Church: 27.3
All of Virginia: 7.8
Child death rate, ages 1-14 (per 1,000)
Alexandria: .28
Arlington: .09
Fairfax City: .32
Fairfax County: .20
Falls Church: 1.37
All of Virginia: .22
Sexually transmitted diseases, ages 12-17 (per 1000)
Alexandria: 19.3
Arlington: 4.0
Fairfax City: 0.0
Fairfax County: 1.9
Falls Church: 14.5
All of Virginia: 7.5
Middle-schoolers passing all four spring physical
fitness tests
Alexandria: 33%
Arlington: 38%
Fairfax City: 40%
Fairfax County: 40%
Falls Church: 51%
All of Virginia: 37%
LOCAL INDICATORS: SAFETY
Founded cases of child abuse or neglect (per 1,000 children)
Alexandria: 14
Arlington: 6.8
Fairfax City: 2.5
Fairfax County: 2.5
Falls Church: 0.5
All of Virginia: 6.2
Incidents of students possessing alcohol or drugs in school (per 1,000)
Alexandria: 4.8
Arlington: 4.4
Fairfax City: 3.5
Fairfax County: 3.5
Falls Church: 0.7
All of Virginia: 2.9
Incidents of students possessing weapons in school (per 1,000)
Alexandria: 3.4
Arlington: 1.5
Fairfax City: 1.1
Fairfax County: 1.1
Falls Church: 0.0
All of Virginia: 2.0
Juveniles arrested for violent crime, ages 12-17 (per 1000)
Alexandria: 6.43
Arlington: 4.91
Fairfax City: 6.13
Fairfax County: 1.25
Falls Church: 4.85
All of Virginia: 3.09
LOCAL INDICATORS: EDUCATION
4th graders whose standardized test scores were above the 25th percentile
Alexandria: 82%
Arlington: 94%
Fairfax City: 94%
Fairfax County: 94%
Falls Church: 95%
All of Virginia: 86%
6th graders who passed all 3 Literacy Passport Tests
Alexandria: 55%
Arlington: 73%
Fairfax City: 82%
Fairfax County: 82%
Falls Church: 88%
All of Virginia: 68%
9th-12th graders who dropped out of school
Alexandria: 7%
Arlington: 5%
Fairfax City: 4%
Fairfax County: 4%
Falls Church: 1%
All of Virginia: 5%
Average daily school membership
Alexandria: 10,160
Arlington: 17,420
Fairfax City: 143,152
Fairfax County: 143,152
Falls Church: 1,465
All of Virginia: 1,081,642
Per-pupil expenditures
Alexandria: $9216
Arlington: $9783
Fairfax City: $7347
Fairfax County: $7393
Falls Church: $9848
All of Virginia: $5907
Students ages 6-18 eligible for special ed services (per 1000)
Alexandria: 152.2
Arlington: 156.8
Fairfax City: 118.5
Fairfax County: 118.5
Falls Church: 146.8
All of Virginia: 122.6
Number of school suspensions (per 1000)
Alexandria: 121.5
Arlington: 78.5
Fairfax City: 55.7
Fairfax County: 55.7
Falls Church: 90.8
All of Virginia: 101.6
Children ages 3-4 in Head Start (per 1000)
Alexandria: 74.1
Arlington: 76.1
Fairfax City: 9.0
Fairfax County: 9.9
Falls Church: 4.9
All of Virginia: 56.6
LOCAL INDICATORS: FAMILIES
Births to teenage girls, ages 15-17 (per 1000)
Alexandria: 37.4
Arlington: 25.9
Fairfax City: 22.5
Fairfax County: 9.6
Falls Church: 12.3
All of Virginia: 27.7
Births to single mothers
Alexandria: 27.4%
Arlington: 21.7%
Fairfax City: 21.5%
Fairfax County: 15.5%
Falls Church: 10%
All of Virginia: 29.3%
Foster care out-of-home placements
Alexandria: 137
Arlington: 173
Fairfax City: 717
Fairfax County: 717
Falls Church: 717
All of Virginia: 7,444
LOCAL INDICATORS: ECONOMY
Students approved for free or reduced-price school lunches
Alexandria: 52%
Arlington: 44%
Fairfax City: 17%
Fairfax County: 17%
Falls Church: 12%
All of Virginia: 32%
Children receiving TANF (formerly AFDC; per 1,000)
Alexandria: 91.9
Arlington: 47.9
Fairfax City: 15.0
Fairfax County: 15.0
Falls Church: 15.0
All of Virginia: 46.01
Unemployment rate
Alexandria: 3.1%
Arlington: 2.4%
Fairfax City: 1.4%
Fairfax County: 2.3%
Falls Church: 3.5%
All of Virginia: 4.0%
Average per capita income*
Alexandria: 42,729
Arlington: 41,056
Fairfax City: 38,586
Fairfax County: 38,586
Falls Church: 38,586
All of Virginia: 25,255
* Incomes listed are for 1996
ALEXANDRIA
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 116,405
Percent under age 18: 16.2%
Percent 65 & over: 10.8%
ARLINGTON
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 172,580
Percent under age 18: 16.1%
Percent 65 & over: 12.2%
FAIRFAX CITY
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 20,365
Percent under age 18: 19.6%
Percent 65 & over: 11.3%
FAIRFAX COUNTY
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 914,259
Percent under age 18: 24.4%
Percent 65 & over: 6.9%
FALLS CHURCH
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 9,879
Percent under age 18: 19.2%
Percent 65 & over: 16.4%
STATEWIDE
Population of Jurisdictions Surveyed: 6,733,996
Percent under age 18: 24.4%
Percent 65 & over: 11.2%
Note that in some categories -- average school membership, for example --
Fairfax County includes Fairfax City and/or Falls Church. Also, results may
be skewed in jurisdictions with smaller populations.
Source: Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count report and Kids Count in
Virginia report prepared by Action
Alliance for Virginia's Children and Youth.
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