CHILDREN AT RISK released the eleventh edition of our biennial publication, Growing Up in Houston, at our annual Accolades luncheon on October 14, 2010. The book contains the latest data on over 140 indicators measuring the quality of life of Texas’ children, and serves as a resource for public officials, community leaders, educators, and parents. These indicators cover a wide range of issues which affect the safety, education, physical and mental health, and overall well being of children in our city. Each new edition of the book builds upon information contained in previous editions, enabling the reader to measure the progress that has been made over time, as well as identifying the areas where improvement is still needed.
In this edition, CHILDREN AT RISK highlights ten indicators, known as our Top 10 Priorities, which have a special impact on the quality of life of children in Texas. Some indicators such as food programs, childhood obesity, and human trafficking have remained in the Top 10 Priorities throughout several editions, and indicators such as adult certifications, corporal punishment and school rankings have been added to this year’s publication. These Top 10 Priorities provide a more in-depth look into the most pressing issues facing our children today.
Through this latest edition of Growing Up in Houston, CHILDREN AT RISK hopes that by providing honest and up-to-date data on all of these quality of life indicators, efforts to drive change for children will continue to grow. As the data shows, much work is yet to be done to ensure that the needs of Texas’ children are not left unmet. For instance, 23% of Texas’ children lived below the federal poverty level in 2008, compared go 19% nationally. Texas had the second highest percentage of children under age 18 with no insurance coverage during any time both in 2008 and 2009. During the 2006-2007 school year, of the 223,190 school children subjected to physical punishment across the nation, 49,197 were in Texas. At the same time, changes that have been made that are working to improve the lives our children must continue to be acknowledged so that we can stay on this path to further benefit them well into the future.
To request a hard copy please e-mail info@childrenatrisk.org, or for an electronic copy please visit https://catriskprod.wpengine.com/research/book/.