Children's Agenda Indicators 10 - 13

Indicator 10: Child Abuse and Neglect

The Issue: Most parents want to be good parents, but some are facing life stressors or mental health issues that prevent them from being good parents. 4.2/1000 Caucasian children have substantiated cased of child abuse. 10.3/1000 Hispanic children and 24.3/1000 African American Children have substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect. (Source: 2005 Children's Report)

We Want to: Insure we identify parents that need help and link them to resources before abuse occurs.

Our Goal: Decrease the rate of substantiated child abuse and neglect and narrow the disparity in rates that exists between ethnic groups.

How to Get Involved: Contact Kids in Common at dbunnett@kidsincommon.org

Issue Brief coming soon...

Indicator 11: Childhood Hunger

The Issue: ( 16% of adults with children report that they sometimes or often run out of food and do not have money to buy more and 32% of Hispanic adults with children report the same thing. At the same time, Federal and State food (WIC, Food Stamps, school based food programs) programs are underutilized in this county. Only 62.3% of WIC participants receive food and it is estimated that only 30% of children eligible for free or reduced cost lunch receive it. (Source: Special run of Behavioral Risk Factor Survey Data 2004) and www.kidsincommon.org/docs/childrens_report_2005.pdf and California Food Policy Advocateswww.cpfa.net)

We Want to: Optimize the use of governmental food programs such as school feeding programs, WIC and Food Stamps. Make sure families who need food know where and how to access food support programs

Our Goal: Decrease the number of adults with children reporting that they ran out of food and did not have money for more.

How to Get Involved: Contact Cindy McCown at Second Harvest Food Bank cmccown@secondharvest.com

Issue Brief #6: September 2008 - Helping Santa Clara County Children to Thrive by Addressing Childhood Hunger and Food Insecurity

Indicator 12: Juvenile Arrests

The Issue: Many youth enter the juvenile justice system because they are not engaged in school or work and may be dealing with learning, mental health or family issues. In 2005, 14/1000 youth were arrested for felony offenses and 39/1000 were arrested for misdemeanor offenses (statewide avg. is 30/1000). There is a disproportionate representation of children of color in the juvenile justice system.

We Want to: Better understand the systems, policies and practices that can help decrease the juvenile arrest rate and insure Juvenile Detention Reform is impacting this data point. Identify and wrap services around at-risk youth in order to prevent their arrest. Prevent youth from re-offending after a first arrest by providing resources and support.

Our Goal: Decrease the percentage of youth who are arrested for misdemeanors and felonies and narrow the disparity of rates that exists between ethnic groups.

How to Get Involved: Contact Dana Bunnett at Kids in Common at dbunnett@kidsincommon.org

Issue Brief coming soon...

Indicator 13: Community Values Youth

The Issue: Youth do not feel valued by adults in the community. Only 35% of elementary school aged children feel valued by the community and only 18% of middle and high school youth students feel valued by the community.

We Want to: Support programs that enhance adult/youth interactions in school and family settings. Help youth connect to meaningful community service opportunities. Partner with the media to spotlight the contributions of youth to the community.

Our Goal: Increase the number of youth who report that they feel valued by the community.

How to Get Involved: Visit Project Cornerstone at www.projectcornerstone.org or call (408)351-6482.

Issue Brief coming soon...