Every Kid Counts in the District of Columbia

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Abstract

The 13th annual Fact Book is a comprehensive data source for indicators of child well-being in the District of Columbia. Over 50 data indicators are tracked over time. The Fact Book is organized this year to reflect the six citywide goals for children and youth in the District of Columbia. The six citywide goals are: children are ready for school; children and youth succeed in school; children and youth are healthy and practice healthy behaviors; children and youth engage in meaningful activities; children and youth live in healthy, stable, and supportive families; and all youth make a successful transition to adulthood.

Purpose of the Fact Book

This Fact Book is the 13th annual report produced by the D.C. KIDS COUNT Collaborative on the lives of children, youth, and their families in the District of Columbia. The purpose of the Fact Book is to provide data annually about the well-being of children in the District of Columbia and to place these statistics within a meaningful context. Ten of the indicators presented were selected by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Center for the Study of Social Policy to mirror those reported in the National KIDS COUNT Data Book that the Casey Foundation produces annually.

The D.C. KIDS COUNT Collaborative has continued to expand the original list to include additional indicators that are relevant to the District.We encourage suggestions for additions from our readers, which we will try to fill if the needed data are available.

This publication aims to provide a broad perspective on the status of children and youth in the District.We seek to inform and educate our readers about the issues affecting children and their families in the District.We encourage community residents, policymakers, professionals, and others who work with or on behalf of children and families to create conditions that foster the optimal health and development of children and youth.

As usual, we stress the importance of family and community in the lives of our children.We at D.C. KIDS COUNT believe that an approach based on systems theory is needed to affect real change in the District. Accordingly, children, families, communities, and government institutions are viewed as an interconnected whole. Thus, when family support systems are dysfunctional in one area, the entire system may be impacted. In devising solutions to the problems facing children and youth in the District, the interactions and relationships among and between the components of the system must be understood and the systemic impact of any changes considered.

We urge community leaders to use this report, in conjunction with previous reports, for formulating strategic plans and enacting policies that support children, youth and families in the District.We hope that the Fact Book will serve as a catalyst for service providers, business leaders, local government, funders, and community members to continue efforts to collectively address the issues presented in this report so that, ultimately, all families in this great city can function optimally.

Note: This report is available in its entirety in PDF Format.

The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders.

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