February 13, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com

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Motor Vehicle Crashes Involving Kids on the East Side
Children under 18 make up about 30 percent of residents in both East Harlem and the Upper East Side. But according to this report by Transportation Alternatives, East Harlem children account for 43 percent of crash victims, while Upper East Side children represent less than 15 percent of neighborhood car crashes with pedestrians and bicyclists, a three-fold disparity. (January 24, 2012)

Obesity in Schools Drops
Obesity rates among public elementary and middle school students in the city have decreased over the past five years across all race and ethnic groups, according to the Department of Health. This marks the biggest decline in childhood obesity by any large city and stands in sharp contrast to the stagnant nationwide rates. The overall obesity rates among kindergartners through eighth graders decreased 5.5 percent with the sharpest decline seen among children ages 5 to 6 years old. (December 20, 2011)

Demographics, Resources, and Outcomes of the Public School System
In this overview of the public school system, the Independent Budget Office reports that Hispanics make up nearly 40 percent of kids enrolled, while black students account for about 30 percent; the Dominican Republic is by far the most common birthplace for students born outside the U.S.; the Department of Education’s expense budget of $19.4 billion has grown by 22 percent since 2007; state funding accounted for 43 percent of that budget while city funds made up 41 percent and federal funds 15 percent; and student attendance increased over the last five years, improving from 86.9 percent in '06 to 89.7 percent last year. It goes into detail on much more. (October 13, 2011)

Child Fatality is Lower in City than Nationwide
Between 2001 and 2009, the overall death rate for children aged one to 12 years old was 30 percent lower in the city than nationwide, according to this report by the Health Department. Transportation-related deaths were the main cause of fatalities, even though this was still much lower than the national average. (September 14, 2011)

Unemployment Among Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
As many as half of all foster youth who leave the foster care system each year are not connecting to the world of work, leading to high rates of homelessness and even incarceration, according to this report by the Center for an Urban Future. (September 8, 2011)

New York State Council on Children and Families
The Council on Children and Families is charged with acting as a neutral body to coordinate the State Health, Education and Human Services to ensure that all children and families in New York State have the opportunity to reach their potential.. Comprehensive links to all state agencies serving children, and current research on children statewide.
Advocates For Children
Twenty-five year old organization dedicated to helping the City's most vulnerable families to secure quality and equal public education services. A thorough site with info on programs, publications and anything else you need to know.
National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
A site devoted to informed criticism of the nation's child welfare policies. See white papers on a range of issues affecting the lives of children in foster care.
Statewide Youth Advocacy
The only place on the web where the NYS budget is thoroughly analyzed for its impact on children.
American Civil Liberties Union
The nation’s chief defender of civil liberties, many useful links and explanations. "Working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States."

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