CASA News
Report: Greene County children abused Most
February 1st, 2010
Greene County has received a failing grade for its care of children.
On January 27th, Citizens for Missouri's Children released its 17th annual KIDS COUNT in Missouri Data Book at the State Capitol in Jefferson City.
The report analyzes several categories of well-being, including poverty levels for children, child abuse and neglect, and out-of-home placements for children.
The statistics reveal that Greene County ranks at the bottom of all 114 counties in Missouri in the category of child abuse and neglect, meaning the county had the worst possible rating.
The report defines the child abuse & neglect category as “the number of child abuse victims from reports classified as ‘probably cause’ indicating that child abuse or neglect has occurred, and from children receiving family assessments. Rate is expressed per 1,000 children.” Sources for the data are from MO Dept. of Social Services; USDC, Bureau of the Census; Missouri Office of Administration.
Other areas of concern for Greene County listed by the report are out-of-home placements (ranking 96). This reflects the "numbers of entries into the Division of Family Services alternative care, including foster care, group homes, etc." the report stated.
MEDIA: For more information on Greene County’s abused and neglected children and to learn about a Missouri State University study exploring this issue, call Dan Prater at CASA of Southwest Missouri 417- 864-6202 x252, or my cell at 417-576-2210.
Podcast from KSMU: [MP3 Download]
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