Third, Kids Count communicates the needs of children and youth, using extensive public awareness activities. The Oklahoma Kids Count Factbook uses benchmarks to profile the status of children and youth in our state. Benchmarks are quantifiable measures that, when taken together, help determine child, family and community well-being. This book, the fifth annual Oklahoma Kids Count Factbook, shows the interrelatedness of these benchmarks and how they impact each other. From an established baseline, OICA is tracking progress, or the lack of progress, for each benchmark over time.
Progress requires action.
Effective programs and policies work together with strong communities and families to improve the benchmarks.