Copyright 1998 Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, Inc. 420 NW 13th Street, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73103 Phone: 405-236-KIDS Fax: 405-236-KIDX

General Information Economic Distress Children in Poverty Child Population Low Birthweight infants Infant Mortality Births to Teens Child Abuse and Neglect Child Deaths High School Drop-outs Juvenile Violent Crime Additional References On to Directory of Kids Count Leaders General Information Data and information used in the 1998 Oklahoma Kids Count Factbook came from a wide variety of sources in Oklahoma and around the nation. This section identifies the sources for the information found in this document and the method used for computations where applicable. Each county benchmark and the rate of change calculated for each county benchmark is rounded for presentation on the county pages. The rounding may cause the results to vary from the rates which might be calculated from the rounded numbers appearing on each county page. There is no agreement about the specific terminology or the number of categories which should be used to classify race and ethnicity. The categories listed in this report are the categories in the sources relied upon for information. At times, different sources will use different categories to report racial characteristics. Some indicators were not available by race at all. This makes it difficult to look across the indicators by race. Persons within each race or ethnic group are encouraged to re-title or refer to the data in a manner which reflects their preferences. Back to Top of Page Economic Distress is a generalized term depicting a poor economic climate in a community. Deprivation Index is a measure developed by ranking Child Poverty Rates, Percent of Children Receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and/or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), level of Per Capita Personal Income and Unemployment Rates. Each county is ranked on each factor. The four individual county rankings are combined into a "Deprivation Index" in which the lower the number, the wealthier the county. Economic Clusters (more commonly referred to as Quintile Divisions) result from each county being ranked according to its Deprivation Index and grouped into one of five clusters composed of approximately twenty percent (20%) of the state's population. Cluster 1 (Wealthiest) includes 22 counties with a combined population of 708,990 (21.8% of the state's population). "Wealthiest" counties each have a Deprivation Index between 27 and 102. Cluster 2 (Wealthier) includes 7 counties with a combined population of 728,060 (22.3% of the state's population). "Wealthier" counties each have a Deprivation Index between 107 and 129. Cluster 3 (Middle) includes 3 counties with a combined population of 669,650 (20.6%) of the state's population). "Middle" counties each have a Deprivation Index between 133 and 138. Cluster 4 (Poorer) includes 18 counties with a combined population of 575,250 (17.7% of the state's population). "Poorer" counties each have a Deprivation Index between 144 and 188. Cluster 5 (Poorest) includes 27 counties with a combined population of 576,210 (17.7% of the state's population). "Poorest" counties each have a Deprivation Index between 192 and 296. Back to Top of Page Children in Poverty counts the related children under age 18 who live in families with incomes below the U.S. poverty threshold (poverty income guidelines). Related children are the children related to the "family head" by birth, marriage or adoption and include relatives such as nieces and nephews. Children under age 18 who do not live in a household where they are related to the head of the household are not included in this analysis. The Poverty Income Guidelines, as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, are based upon the amount of money that is required to purchase a nutritionally adequate diet. A family is classified as poor if its income falls below this minimum standard. Data counts poor children calculated as a percent of all children. Trends compare percent of child poverty in 1980 to the percent of child poverty estimated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for 1993 and adjusted by the State Data Center to arrive at a 1993 estimate of the number and rate of poor children under age 18. The data describes poor children calculated as a percent of the children in each race. For census purposes race is self-identified in one of four categories: White, Black, Indian (American Indian or Alaska Native), and Asian (or Pacific Islander). Hispanic Origin is counted separately and as an ethnicity, not as a race. Other includes races not selected and other races written in. Children Receiving AFDC and/or TANF counts the number of child recipients of AFDC during FY 1981 and the average monthly number of child recipients of AFDC (Basic and Unemployed Parent) and/or TANF during FY 1996. Rates are displayed as the percent of the total child population. Base child population data for the state and counties is the 1980 Census population. Current child population data for the state and counties is estimated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for 1994 and adjusted by the State Data Center to arrive at a 1994 estimate of the number of children under age 18. Per Capita Personal Income measures income available to each individual by dividing the total personal income in an area by the population of that area. Unemployment Rate measures the percent of the population searching for work. The rate is generated by dividing the total number of unemployed by the total number in the labor force. Because these official figures do not distinguish between part-time and full-time workers, do not count underpaid working poor and do not count workers who have given up looking for work, they are commonly understood to underestimate the true level of unemployment in a community. SOURCE: Poverty data provided by the Oklahoma State Data Center, Planning and Research Division, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1980, Summary Tape File 3A and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1990, Summary Tape File 3A and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Branch, Estimated Total and Related Children age 5 to 17 Poor and Median Household Income: 1993. AFDC/TANF data provided by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Income data provided by the Oklahoma State Data Center, Planning and Research Division, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic and Statistics Administration, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Management Division, CD-ROM. Unemployment data provided by the Oklahoma State Data Center, Planning and Research Division, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, using data from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Research Division. Back to Top of Page Child Population is the total resident population under age 18 including dependents of Armed Forces personnel stationed in the area. Child population data for 1980 and 1990 for the state and counties are counts from the 1980 and 1990 Census. Current child population data for the state and counties is estimated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for 1994. SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1980, Summary Tape File 1A and 2B and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1990, Summary Tape File 1A and Summary Tape File 2B. Current population data provided by the Oklahoma State Data Center, Planning and Research Division, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1980, Summary Tape File 1A; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1990, Summary Tape File 1A; and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Branch, 1994. Back to Top of Page Low Birthweight Infants are live births weighing under 5.5 pounds (2,500 grams). Very Low Birthweight Infants are live births weighing under 3 pounds, five ounces (1,500 grams). The data is reported by place of mother's residence, not place of birth. Births count both the total resident live births and the low-weight births and compare two five-year periods (1983 through 1987 and 1991 through 1995). Resulting rates create average annual percentages for each five-year period. Race is reported as White, Black and American Indian. Other races are included in numbers and calculations for White. Beginning in 1989, the "race of child" was redefined to reflect the mother's race. State totals may vary from the total of all the counties since state totals may include births for which the county of residence was unknown. Level of Prenatal Care addresses the timing and amount of medical care and monitoring an expectant mother receives. Levels of care include: adequate (the recommended level of care beginning in the first trimester with ten or more visits), intermediate (care beginning in the first trimester with four through nine visits OR care beginning in the second trimester with four or more visits), early (care beginning in the first trimester), late (care beginning in the third trimester with one or more visits), little (care beginning in the first or second trimester with one through three visits), and no care. Rates are calculated as percentages of all live births. Births count both the total resident live births and the level of care for the five-year period from 1991 through 1995. Resulting rates create an average annual percentage. SOURCE: Data provided by MCH Planning and Evaluation, Maternal & Child Health Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Back to Top of Page Infant Mortality is death occurring to an infant under 1 year of age. The data is reported by place of mother's residence, not place of birth or death. Rates are calculated per 1,000 live births. The data counts the total resident live births and the deaths for two five-year periods (1983 through 1987 and 1991 through 1995). Resulting rates create average annual percentages for each five-year period. Race is reported as White, Black and American Indian. Other races are included in numbers and calculations for White. Beginning in 1989, the "race of child" was redefined to reflect the mother's race. State totals may vary from the total of all the counties since state totals may include births for which the county of residence was unknown. SOURCE: Birth and mortality data provided by MCH Planning and Evaluation, Maternal & Child Health Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Back to Top of Page Births to Teens are live births which occur to mothers ages 15 through 17. The data is reported by place of mother's residence, not place of birth. Births count the total resident live births to mothers in this age group for two three-year periods (1981 through 1983 and 1993 through 1995). Rates are displayed as births per 1,000 females between ages 15 through 17. Base female teen population data is from the 1980 Census. Current population for the state is estimated by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for 1994 and adjusted by the Oklahoma State Department of Health to arrive at 1993 through 1995 estimates of females between the ages of 15 through 17 for the state and each county. Resulting rates create average annual rates for each three-year period. Race is reported as White, Black and American Indian. Other races are included in numbers and calculations for White. Beginning in 1989, the "race of child" was redefined to reflect the mother's race. State totals may vary from the total of all the counties since state totals may include births for which the county of residence was unknown. SOURCE: Birth and population data provided by MCH Planning and Evaluation, Maternal & Child Health Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Back to Top of Page Child Abuse and Neglect means harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare by a person responsible for the child's health or welfare. Abuse includes sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or non-accidental physical or mental injury. Sexual Abuse includes rape, incest and lewd or indecent acts or proposals by a person responsible for the child's welfare. Sexual Exploitation includes a person responsible for the child's welfare allowing or encouraging a child to engage in prostitution or pornography or engaging in child pornography. Neglect means failing to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter or medical care. 10 O. Supp. 1996 § 7102. Data includes reports of suspected abuse or neglect for which there were formal investigations and, of those, the number for which abuse or neglect was confirmed. The data compares child abuse and neglect confirmations for two one-year periods (Fiscal Year 1985 and Fiscal Year 1996). Rates are displayed as confirmations per 1,000 children (under age 18). Base child population data for the state and counties is the midpoint between the 1980 and 1990 Census populations. Current child population data for the state and counties is estimated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for 1994. SOURCE: Child abuse and neglect data provided by the Division of Child Welfare, Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS): Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Population data provided by the Oklahoma State Data Center, Planning and Research Division, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1980, Summary Tape File 1A; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1990, Summary Tape File 1A; and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Branch, 1994. Back to Top of Page Child Deaths are the number of deaths of children from ages 1 through 14. Teen Deaths are the number of deaths of youth from ages 15 through 19. The data is reported by place of residence, not place of death. The data counts deaths from all causes. The data compares the death rates for two five-year periods (1978 through 1982 and 1991 through 1995). Resulting rates create average annual rates for each five year period for each age group. Rates are displayed as deaths per 100,000 children from ages 1 through 14 and deaths per 100,000 teens from ages 15 through 19. Base child population data for the state and counties is the 1980 Census population. Current child population data for the state and counties is estimated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for 1994 and adjusted by the State Data Center to arrive at a 1994 estimate of the number of children from the ages of 1 through 14. Current teen population data for the state is estimated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for 1994 and adjusted by the State Data Center to arrive at a 1994 estimate of the number of teens from the ages of 15 through 19. State totals may vary from the total of all the counties since state totals may include deaths for which the county of residence was unknown. Cause of Death measures the percent of deaths that are caused by diseases, accidents and violence. By definition, deaths by violence include murder, suicide and deaths that occur during legal interventions. Race is reported as White, Black and American Indian. Other races are included in numbers and calculations for White. SOURCE: Death data provided by MCH Planning and Evaluation, Maternal & Child Health Service, Oklahoma State Department of Health: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Population data provided by the Oklahoma State Data Center, Planning and Research Division, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1980, Summary Tape File 1A; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1990, Summary Tape File 1A; and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Branch, 1994. Back to Top of Page High School Drop-Outs count youths of any age who quit school without graduating. The data presents the number of high school drop-outs for the 1995-96 school year. The data also presents the total number of high school drop-outs who are under the age of 19. High School Dropout Rates compare number of high school drop-outs under age 19 to the enrollment in grades 9 through 12. School officials in Oklahoma are required to notify the State Department of Education of the name, address, race and age of any pupil dropping out of school. 70 O.Supp. 1996 § 35e(A). Race is reported as White, Black, Indian, Asian and Hispanic. There is no provision for reporting other races. Hispanic children, for the purposes of this data, are counted as a race, rather than an ethnic group preventing precise racial comparisons between this data and other data in the Oklahoma Kids Count Factbook. SOURCE: Data provided by the Office of Accountability, Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE): Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Back to Top of Page Juvenile Violent Crime counts arrests of youth from the ages of 10 through 17 for violent offenses (homicide, forcible rape, robbery, or aggravated assault). The annual arrest figures include all arrests for violent offenses during the year, including repeated arrests of the same individual for different offenses. Rates compare the number of arrests of youth ages 10 through 17 for violent offenses (homicide, forcible rape, robbery, or aggravated assault) to all children ages 10 through 17 and is reported as a rate per 100,000 youths. The data compares juvenile violent crime rates for two one-year periods (1980 and 1996). Base child population data for the state and counties is the 1980 Census population. Current child population data for the state and counties is estimated by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for 1994 and adjusted by the State Data Center to arrive at a 1994 estimate of the number of children from the ages of 10 through 17. Increases in the number of arrests may reflect increases in juvenile crime, changes in police activity and changes in public policy. While policies and practices regarding juvenile arrests may vary from county to county and city to city, it is widely believed that the policies are more consistent for violent crimes than for less serious crimes. Data collected counts juveniles by age or by race, but age and race cannot be compared. Race is reported as White, Black, Indian, and Asian. There is no provision for reporting other races. Hispanic Origin is counted separately and as an ethnicity, not as a race. Oklahoma Kids Count reports juvenile violent crime arrest data on a state and county basis. Several counties reported no juvenile violent crime arrests in the years included in the Oklahoma Kids Count Factbook. SOURCE: Arrest data provided by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI): Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Population data provided by the Oklahoma State Data Center, Planning and Research Division, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, using U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1980, Summary Tape File 1A; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of the Population and Housing 1990, Summary Tape File 1A; and U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Branch, 1994. Back to Top of Page Additional References Robert William Blum, M.D., Ph.D. and Peggy Mann Rinehart. (no date). Reducing the risks: Connections that make a difference in the lives of youths. Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota: Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (1997). Kids Count Data Book: State Profiles of Child Well-Being. Greenwich, CT. Division of Children, Youth & Family Services, Child Welfare Services. (1997). Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics: FY 1996. DHS: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Olatokunbo Fashola and Robert Slavin. (1996) Effective and Replicable Programs for Elementary and Middle Schools. John Hopkins University, Center for Research on the Education of Students Placed at Risk: Baltimore, Maryland. Olatokunbo Fashola and Robert Slavin. (1997) Effective Dropout Prevention and College Attendance Programs for Students Placed at Risk. U.S. Department of Education: Washington, D.C. R. Maynard, Ed. (1996). Kids Having Kids, A Special Report on the Costs of Adolescent Childbearing. Robin Hood Foundation: New York, New York. The National Center for Health Statistics. (1996). Recent Declines in Teenage Birth Rates in the United States: Variations by State, 1990-94 (Monthly Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 45, No. 5, Supp.). DHHS: Washington, DC. The National Center for Health Statistics. (1997). State Specific Birthrates for Teenagers - United States 1990-1995 (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Vol. 46, No. 36). DHHS: Washington, DC. Sandy Ingraham. (1994). The Other Oklahoma: Poverty in the Heartland. Neighborhood Services Organization, Project Get Together, Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma, Inc., Legal Services of Eastern Oklahoma, Inc., Oklahoma City Food Bank, Tulsa Community Food Bank: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. (1995). Oklahoma Kids Count Factbook 1995. Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, Jordan and Associates, Sandy Ingraham, The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. (1997). Oklahoma Kids Count Factbook: 1997. Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, Kouri/Lusk Associates, Contracts & Consultation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. OICA: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State Department of Health. (Mar. 1992). Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) GRAM: Maternal Characteristics and Outcomes of Teenage Women in Oklahoma. OSDH: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State Department of Health. (Summer 1995). Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) GRAM: Initiation of Prenatal Care Among Women Having a Live Birth in Oklahoma. OSDH: Oklahoma City Oklahoma. Oklahoma State Department of Health. (Mar. 1997). Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) GRAM: Very Low Birth Weight in Oklahoma. OSDH: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma State Department of Health. (Spring 1997). Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) GRAM: Repeat Births to Teens in Oklahoma. OSDH: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. E.M. Ozer, C.D. Brindis, S.G. Millstein, D.K. Knopf, C.E. Irwin, Jr. (1994). America's Adolescents: Are They Healthy?. University of California, School of Medicine: San Francisco, California. Strategic Coalition of Girls and Women United Against Tobacco. (1993). Tobacco vs. Women's Health. A Factsheet. Back to Top of Page

Web access launched March 24, 1998