EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ORANGE COUNTY CHILDREN ADVANCE IN HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SAFETY BUT REGRESS ECONOMICALLY

The 23rd Annual Report on the Conditions of Children in Orange County studies four interdependent focus areas: Good Health, Economic Well-Being, Educational Achievement and Safe Homes and Communities. Each focus area includes the most recent data for indicators to assess improving or worsening trends over 10 years. Overall, Orange County children are healthier, with rates of uninsured children and teen birth rates dropping by more than half. Children are stronger academically, with 14% more students ready for college and 56% fewer high school dropouts. Also, children live in safer environments, with unintentional injuries down 41% and child abuse down 43%. Juvenile arrests rates are also down 62%; and fewer youth join gangs. Children and youth entering foster care and placed in a permanent home within the 12-month benchmark has shown a 38% increase from a low of 23% in 2012/13.

Areas of concern include serious mental illness and substance abuse and overall economic well-being. Among children, the hospitalization rate for serious mental illness and substance abuse increased 32% since 2008. However, the 2015 rate slightly decreased from 2014, showing early signs of improvement. The percent of children living in poverty has risen steadily and is increasing faster in Orange County than in California overall. The number of children insecurely housed increased 11% between 2015 and 2016. One in two children are eligible for free and reduced priced lunch; and one in five children receive CalFresh, a 170% increase. The positive news is that the increase in benefit enrollment is also an indication that more children are obtaining needed services. Orange County has much to celebrate; but there is still work to be done to reduce disparities and to ensure its children are thriving.