Great Start Collaborative-Oakland
Great Start Collaborative-Oakland Newsletter


           Winter 2013

Highlights
Kids Count Data Book 2012
The Data Shows...
Winter 2012 Children's Champion
Upcoming Opportunities
Kids Count Data Book 2012

The Kids Count in Michigan Data Book for 2012 provides an overview across four areas of child and family well-being including economic security, health, family/community and education. For the first time, the Data Book also includes an overall ranking for each county based on 13 of the 15 indicators. Overall, Oakland County ranked number 5 out of 82 counties! This is important as the data has shown for years that "place matters!" When you have a community that supports families, outcomes for children are more likely to be positive.

To the right we present some of these indicators not only with the data findings but ways in which we can address the trends to improve outcomes for young children and families in Oakland County.

 

 
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Greetings!

Thank you for your continued interest and support in building our Great Start System in Oakland County.  This month's E-News shares the newest Kids Count Data for Oakland County.  This year's data continues to show the needs of our counties youngest children.
The Data Shows...
 


More Children Lived in Poor or Low-Income Families

Between 2005 and 2010, the child poverty rate escalated from 8.6% to 13.3% in Oakland County. Relatively high unemployment and low wages weakened financial security in our community. Our state has responded minimally to support these families.

Fewer Babies and Children Died

Between 2005 and 2010 mortality rates for infants as well as for children dropped by 8%. However, we still see too many suffering from chronic health problems. Dramatic disparities in health and mortality persist by race/ethnicity and family income. As parents lost jobs and health benefits, Michigan responded positively by expanding access to health care for children through the Medicaid and MIChild programs. Overall the state has one of the smallest percentages of uninsured children in the nation.   However, provider rates still limit access, particularly for specialty care.

Less Children Experienced Neglect or Abuse

Children confirmed as victims of maltreatment in 2011 decreased by 700 from 2005. In addition, children in the foster care system in 2011 also dropped by 800 from 2005. Teen birth rates also continue to decline.

What Can We Do To Improve Child Well-Being?

Advocate for policies that:

  • Raise the eligibility and adjust the sliding scale for the child care subsidy
  • Advocate for policies that improve the health and well-being of children in low-income families and communities of color
  • Maintain support for evidence based programs to prevent teen pregnancy
  • Invest in prevention (of child abuse or neglect) to increase support to all families
  • Increase investments in early childhood care and education
  • Reduce class size, particularly in the early grades
  Want more information?  Click here for the full report! 
Winter 2012 Children's Champion
Great Start Collaborative-Oakland would like to recognize Metro Parent as our Winter 2012 Children's Champion.   MetroParent has been a strong partner in our ASQ project providing advertisement both in print and online for parents.  MetroParent understands the importance of connecting with families and engaging them in what is most important. Thank you MetroParent! 
 
Upcoming Opportunities
Upcoming Meeting Opportunities  Click here to view the calendar of upcoming Great Start meetings.  

Upcoming Events
Save the Date for our upcoming 2013 Parent Conferences on Saturday, March 23 in Berkley and Saturday, April 27 in Lake Orion.  Both from 9:00 - 2:00.

Walled Lake Parenting Fair will be held on Saturday, March 2nd.  For more information click here.

Oakland Family Services Expo will be held on Saturday, March 30th.  For more information contact Letty at 248-858-7766.
Let's Work to Make Oakland the Best Place to Raise our Children!


Lisa Sturges
Great Start Collaborative-Oakland


Their Future...Our Responsibility