Dawn Wilson, Special Projects Coordinator/Program Manager with Catawba County Social Services spoke to the club about the recently released 2012 Child Data Snapshot (link to report pdf) which describes the health and wellness of Catawba County children.
This information was developed and compiled by the Children’s Agenda Planning Committee, appointed by the Catawba County Commissioners. The committee’s vision is to ensure a safe community where all children are engaged, enriched and equipped to reach their full potential. The Child Data Snapshot was first developed in October 2009 and is updated annually. This report reflects the most recent information available at the time the snapshot was created.
In the 2012-13 school year, 49 percent of students in Catawba County Schools received free or reduced price lunches. During the same time, 64 percent of Newton-Conover students receive free or reduced price lunches. Hickory Public Schools had 58 percent of its students in this category.
In 2010-11, the Catawba County Schools had a graduation rate of 86.2 percent. Newton-Conover City Schools had a graduation rate of 83 percent, and Hickory Public Schools had a rate of 76.5 percent. North Carolina as a whole had a high school graduation rate of 77.9 percent.
In 2011-12, Catawba County Social Services received 3,024 Child Protective Services reports on 6,071 children. Of those reports, 66 percent or 2,009 met the criteria for investigative or family 
assessments and 525 reports were substantiated (found in need of services). In 2011-12, 111 children entered foster care; 44 percent of these children were younger than 5 years old. In 2010, the infant mortality rate in Catawba County was 9.3 per thousand live births compared to a state rate of 7.0.
In 2009, 38 percent of 2-18 year olds in Catawba County were considered overweight based on their Body Mass Index. In 2011, 77 percent of Catawba County’s children ages 24-35 months received their recommended vaccines compared to 65 percent statewide. In 2011, there was one pregnancy to 10-14 year olds. There were 253 pregnancies among 15-19 year olds. In 2010, 10.5 percent of children and youth (birth-20 years old) received Medicaid in Catawba County.
In 2011, there was a 29 percent decrease in youth served by the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council in Catawba County, from 424 in 2010 to 301 in 2011. To see the complete report, go to Catawba County Social Services at http://www.catawbacountync.gov/dss and click on the Child Data Snapshot graphic at the right of the page.
For more information contact Dawn Wilson, Catawba County Social Services Program Manager, 828-695-5702, dawnewilson@catawbacountync.gov.
