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Protecting Michigan’s children has never been more critical.
Each day, there are more than 390 reports of child abuse and neglect in Michigan. Many more go unreported.
Even
more alarming are the statistics telling us where this abuse and neglect takes place—in the home, which should be a
nurturing and safe place for all children. Nearly 83 percent of these victimized children were abused or neglected
by a parent in the child’s own home.
No child is immune. Statistics
suggest that all children are potential victims of abuse and/or neglect, regardless of age, gender, race, or family
income.
NEW KIDS COUNT IN MICHIGAN 2010 DATA RELEASED
No community is immune. Statistics from the Kids
Count in Michigan Data Book 2010 indicates that of Michigan’s 83 counties: Based on rates calculated
per 1,000 children ages 0-17 in their county of residence, Crawford County
continues its ranking as the SIXTH WORST COUNTY IN THE STATE in the number
of children living in homes investigated by Children's Protective Services for abuse/neglect; and ranks AS THE SECOND WORST COUNTY IN THE STATE for children placed in out-of-home care due to
abuse/neglect. (a slight improvement over last year's data when Crawford County was the worst in the state).
Roscommon County, using the same method of calculation, ranks as THE FIFTH WORST COUNTY IN THE STATE out of Michigan’s
82 counties reporting data for the number of children living in homes investigated by Children's Protective Services
for abuse/neglect; (a noted improvement over last year's data when Roscommon County was the second worst county in
the state) and ranks AS THE SECOND WORST COUNTY IN THE STATE FOR CHILDREN AGES 0-17 LIVING
IN POVERTY (per capita). Only Lake County has a higher child poverty rate
per capita and Roscommon County's child poverty rate is even higher than that of Wayne County (Detroit).
While
we have seen small improvements in each county, much remains to be done to prevent child abuse & neglect in our communities.
These
cycles can be broken. Protection and intervention does make a difference. Studies show that coordinated family support services
can prevent 85 percent of child abuse and neglect. And, most importantly, parents can learn to be better
parents. Becoming a better parent is an ongoing process for all parents.
The
Michigan Children’s Trust Fund provides funding and support to local groups, known as Child Protection Councils, to
address the prevention of child abuse and neglect at a local level using resources directly available in
each community.
The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) was established to help break the vicious cycle of child abuse
and neglect, to protect the lives of children so they become more successful adults and parents—without requiring state
tax dollars to do its work.
Funding for CTF comes directly from you,
the taxpayer. You can choose to mark the checkbox on your MI State Income Tax Return to support CTF and/or
you can purchase specialized license plates for your automobile through the Secretary of State.
CTF provides funding to 72 local councils throughout the state covering a total of 82 of 83 counties in Michigan.
In order to receive funding, local councils must provide support to and promotion of local programs that address the
prevention of child abuse and neglect.
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