The 1995-1996 Vermont Kids Count Data Book is the third publication in a series focusing on the health and welfare of Vermont children and youth. The release of The State of Our Children follows historic changes to federal safety-net services for children, youth and their families. Despite increasing child poverty, the guarantee of federal support for poor children and youth has ended and spending for poverty programs, and prevention and early intervention services continues to be targeted for reduction. The Vermont Data Book examines the impact of child poverty, focuses on teen risk behaviors, reviews data by county and provides brief summaries of community partnerships which support our children, youth and families.
Indicators have a baseline year and an end year, and for many, a middle year is provided.
For most indicators, several years of data were averaged or combined to provide more reliable figures for data that may fluctuate greatly from year to year. Numbers for some of the indicators may refer to the average of data for a three-year period. Statewide data for six 6 of the twenty indicators are summarized below. Improving Conditions Community supports play an important role in Vermont's efforts to address the needs of Vermont children, youth, and families. Vermont's unique community partnerships work to positively impact the lives of Vermonters.