"Child Well-Being Index 2009"

The Foundation for Child Development issues an annual report measuring the well-being of children in the United States. This year, their 2009 report projects that virtually all the progress made in family economic well-being since 1975 will be wiped out because of the recession, and that will exact a lasting toll on children. The report bases its conclusions on an analysis of 28 indicators having to do with family finances, education, health and housing. Among their conclusions:

• Declines in PreK participation will be the result of state and school district budget cuts, as well as losses in family income. 
• Progress in American children’s quality of life has fluctuated since 2002, and began a decline in 2008.
• The Child Well-Being Index (CWI) began to decline during the past year and will continue to have negative impacts. CWI projections show that virtually all the progress made in family economic well-being since 1975 will be wiped out.

Read the report.