Wiskids Count tracks, analyzes and communicates information about the health and well-being of children and families in Wisconsin. WisKids Count releases periodic issue based reports and bi-annual data books which provide county-by-county data on the condition of children and policy recommendations for action on behalf of children. WisKids Count is a part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count project which seeks to enrich local, state and national discussions concerning ways to secure better futures for all children.
Recent News
This fall, WCCF held four community conversations on the impact of the recession on kids and families in our state and communities: Appleton conversation powerpoint; Outagamie County kidscount data
La Crosse conversation powerpoint; La Crosse County kidscount data
Racine conversation powerpoint; Racine County kidscount data
Wausau conversation powerpoint; Marathon County kidscount data
2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book Reveals Impact of the Recession on Wisconsin's Children. Gains of the 1990's Lost in Recession. Wisconsin ranks 12th overall in key measures of child health and well-being, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book.
Over 60 years ago, Aldo Leopold commented on the beauty and importance of preserving rural way of life and wild places as the state became increasingly urban. Today, one in three Wisconsinites call the rural areas of our state home; a significant shift in the population since Leopold’s time. Yet rural life in Wisconsin is still a significant part of our state’s character and identity. Just like their urban neighbors, children and families living in rural areas require strong community networks, access to effective services and economic opportunities.
The following three WisKids Count Briefs discuss both challenges and opportunities facing rural Wisconsin families and communities:
Well-Being of Rural Children and Families in Wisconsin.
Rural Wisconsin is a beautiful place to live, work and raise a family. Proximity to the state’s natural resources presents wonderful opportunities for adventure and exploration. Yet, rural children and families face many of the same challenges as their rural neighbors but are disproportionately more likely to be without the public services to assist them when necessary.
Success, éxito, vam meej. English Language Learners in Rural Wisconsin Schools
For all students to be successful, we must recognize that the needs of ELL students are statewide and not just in a few urban school districts in the state. Close to half of Wisconsin’s ELLs attend school in a district that receives no state funds for bilingual/bicultural education.
Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities. Access to Health Care for Children and Families in Rural Wisconsin
Healthy, happy, confident kids: a goal shared by parents and health providers alike. A big part of achieving that goal is the ability of parents to access their family doctor, dentist or mental health provider when they are needed.
The Recession's Impact on Wisconsin Counties: Unemployment and Poverty Rates are Up, Health Insurance is Down in 2009. WCCF analyzed and charted the relevant Census Bureau data for 23 Wisconsin counties, and found that Wisconsin residents are feeling the impact of the national recession, as steep job loss has pushed many residents into poverty and forced the loss of health insurance coverage. BadgerCare Plus has been critically important for families who have lost their jobs and their private health insurance during the recession. See county data and interactive charts here.
Project Goals
Build public awareness of issues related to child well-being and assist advocates in their role in the policy making process.
Provide policy makers with benchmarks of child-well being in Wisconsin in order to inform state and local public policy.
Collect, analyze, and disseminate the best available data measuring the educational, social, economic, and physical well-being of children and youth in Wisconsin
Project Staff
Jim Moeser , KidsCount Coordinator, 608-284-0580, ext. 316 or email
Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, Inc.
555 West Washington Ave, Suite 200 • Madison, Wisconsin • 53703
Tel 608.284.0580 • Fax 608.284.0583
