Over the last decade, more and more schools have adopted Universal Free Meals (UFM), a program that provides meals free of charge to all students, regardless of household income. Recent research finds UFM increases participation in school meals, improves test scores, and reduces incidences of bad behavior. Additionally, advocates cite stigma…

"New Jersey Kids Count 2011" again documents both advances and setbacks in key areas that affect child well-being--poverty, health, child protection, education, including early learning, and adolescent well-being. To better gauge New Jersey's progress in essential areas, a "New Jersey Kids Count Report Card" that identifies…

For 15 years, "Newark Kids Count" has provided insight into the challenges facing Newark's children and families. This report presents the portrait of Newark children in 2010. A special section on Newark charter schools is also presented. Advocates for Children of New Jersey's (ACNJ's) goal in choosing this topic was to inform the…

This Kids Count Data book details trends in the well-being of Connecticut's children. The statistical portrait is based on 23 indicators in the areas of demographics, security, health, education, and safety. This year's new format presents the data at the county and town levels, covering 169 municipalities and 8 counties. The data book begins with…

This Kids Count data book examines trends in the well-being of Minnesota's children. The statistical portrait is based on 11 indicators of child well-being: (1) child poverty rate; (2) children receiving free or reduced-price school lunch; (3) children in families receiving food stamps; (4) births to teenage mothers; (5) low birth weight rates;…

The tenth annual Kids Count data book provides information on measures of child well-being for the state of Missouri, its 114 counties, and the city of St. Louis. This statistical portrait is based on trends in 10 indicators of child well-being: (1) enrollment in free/reduced lunch; (2) births to mothers without high school diplomas; (3) low…

This Kids Count report examines statewide trends in the well-being of Minnesota's children. The statistical portrait is based on 12 indicators of well-being: (1) child poverty rate; (2) children in families receiving food stamps; (3) children eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch; (4) births to teenage mothers; (5) low birth weight…

This Kids Count report details statewide trends in the well-being of Utah's children. The statistical portrait is based on four general areas of children's well-being: (1) health; (2) education; (3) safety; and (4) economic security. Key indicators in these areas include: (1) prenatal care; (2) infant mortality; (3) low birth weight babies; (4)…

This KIDS COUNT data book details statewide trends in the well-being of Missouri's children in the areas of economic security, school success, child health, child safety, and adolescent success. The statistical portrait is based on the following indicators: (1) students enrolled in free/reduced price lunch programs; (2) births to mothers without a…

This KIDS COUNT report documents the status of children in all 115 Missouri counties. Following an executive summary that reports areas of improvement, stabilization, and deterioration, and profiles for the state as a whole and for Caucasians versus minorities, summary information is provided for the following indicators: (1) students enrolled in…

This KIDS COUNT data book details statewide trends in the well-being of Missouri's children in the areas of economic security, school success, child health, child safety, and adolescent success. The statistical portrait is based on the following indicators: (1) students enrolled in free/reduced price lunch programs; (2) births to mothers without a…

This KIDS COUNT data book examines trends in the well-being of Minnesota's children. The statistical portrait is based on 12 indicators of child well-being: (1) children in poverty; (2) children in families receiving food stamps; (3) children receiving free or reduced-price school lunch; (4) children born to teenage mothers; (5) children born at…

This Kids Count report details statewide trends in the well-being of Utah's children. The statistical portrait is based on five general areas of children's well-being: (1) demographics; (2) health; (3) education; (4) safety; and (5) economic security. Key indicators in these areas include: (1) family composition; (2) prenatal care; (3) infant…

This KIDS COUNT data book examines trends in the well-being of Minnesotas children. The statistical portrait is based on 11 indicators of child well-being: (1) children living in poverty; (2) children in families receiving food stamps; (3) children receiving free or reduced-price school lunch; (4) children born to teenage mothers; (5) children…

This Michigan Kids Count data book for 1997-98 describes the condition of children in each of Michigan's 83 counties. As in previous data books, an overview of general trends in the state and developments in each major area of child well-being are presented. This year's book also displays data for counties arranged into five groups based on…