Alabama working its way up for the well-being of its children

by Staff
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Voices-for-Alabama’s-Children_logoMONTGOMERY – Alabama has made its way out of the bottom 5 for the well-being of its children, according to the 2013 Kids Count Data book, released by Voices for Alabama Children.

According to their website, Voices for Alabama Children:

 “Established in 1992 through the vision of leading child advocates, VOICES for Alabama’s Children was the first, and remains the only, organization to document the conditions of children in each of our state’s 67 counties. From building public awareness to leading legislative advocacy efforts, all of VOICES’ activities are based on a solid foundation of research.

The organization’s goal is to ensure that all Alabama children have the best chance to succeed in life.

VOICES focuses on the issues that matter most to children and families: health, safety, education, and economic security.”

Alabama is now ranking number 44 in the nation, and has never been ranked this high in the past. Linda Tilly, the Executive  Director of Voices

Linda Tilly: Executive Director of VOICES for Alabama Children

Linda Tilly: Executive Director of VOICES for Alabama Children

for Alabama Children, said “Alabama has always jumped around the bottom 5. We started off at 48, sometimes we would jump up to 47 but then drop back down. Sometimes we would just up to 46 but then the next year drop back down to 47.”

In the national report comparing the states, Alabama’s children improved in all measures in two categories, said Tilly, Health and Education. In the category of health, Alabama has risen from 41 to 35. The number of child and teen deaths have decreased, which reflects the efforts to establish a statewide death review system and strengthen child passenger safety and teen driver laws.

Thanks to the Alabama Reading Initiative, Tilly said, education in Alabama now equals the national average. Fourth-grade reading proficiency, is critical for comprehension in all subjects moving forward. The state has also made gains in preschool attendance and high school graduation within four years. Tilly is also explained that she is hopes that soon the Alabama Science and Technology Initiative will take hold, furthering the improvement of the state and the well-being of the children.

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