Teen pregnancies and cases of child abuse and neglect continue to decline in the San Diego region, according to the latest San Diego County Report Card on Children and Families.  The detailed study also found that the number of low-income children and families receiving nutrition assistance grew in 2013, while marijuana use among 7th graders increased.

The report provides continued trend and comparative data illustrating the health and wellbeing of children and families in the domains of health, safety, education, welfare, and economic support. The 2013 edition also includes nationally researched strategies to improve outcomes and specific recommendations to facilitate progress. 

“The report not only shines an important light on the state of our youth, it offers recommendations on how the region can better support healthy families,” said Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob. “Healthy households make for healthy communities.”

“The good news is that San Diego is doing well on the majority of child and family indicators despite recent economic challenges,” said Supervisor Greg Cox. “This report provides a good road map to help us address the health and well-being of the region’s children.”

The Report Card is designed to educate policy leaders and the public about current issues and trends relating to the health and well-being of children and youth. Highlights include:

• An improving trend for the rate of substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect.
• Continued progress in connecting eligible families to nutrition assistance.  In June 2013 more than 127,000 children and 135,000 adults accessed CalFresh nutrition assistance. 
• One indicator moving in the wrong direction is marijuana use for 7th graders.

In line with the efforts of Live Well San Diego, this edition also adds five adult indicators to demonstrate the impact of health, safety, and thriving across the life span and to illustrate the interaction between child and adult risks. 

The County Board of Supervisors transitioned the production of the County Report Card toThe Children's Initiative in January 2006. The Children’s Initiative is a local non-profit agency that works to improve the well-being of children and youth in San Diego County through strategic alliances with government agencies, school districts, non-profits and businesses.

“The Children's Initiative is delighted to work with local government, school districts, and community organizations to improve the health, education, and safety of children and families in our county.  The Report Card brings attention to trends that are improving through our collective efforts, and where more work needs to be done,” said Sandra McBrayer, CEO of The Children's Initiative.

The Report Card was released at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

Download the report here >>

Pictured above (from left): Nick Macchione, Director of San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency; County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Dianne Jacob; County Board of Supervisor Greg Cox; Barbara Ryan, Vice President of Government Affairs at Rady Children's Hospital (at podium); Honorable Judge Carolyn M. Caietti, San Diego County Superior Court, Juvenile Division; Sandra McBrayer, Chief Executive Officer at The Children's Initiative