The Kids Count in Michigan Data Book 2010 was released on February 8, 2011.  This year, the Data Book illustrates how the successes and failures in the social safety net, the health system, the child welfare system, the economic system and overall family supports impact the educational and life success of children around the state.  The Data Book 2010 continues to include individual county-level analysis of trends in program and other outcomes for children and families that are available annually in these important reports.

As good public policy making can contribute positively to well-being, inadequate or misguided public policy making also contributes.  This year’s Data Book, again, reveals evidence of both.  While there is some good news in the Data Book, it also shows us that our children are suffering and need our attention more than ever if they are to be successful in school and life.

The role that economic security, health and personal safety play in a child’s ability to learn cannot be ignored.  The findings in the Data Book prove the need for a commitment to the education of our children starting prenatally and extending through career development by joining the many factors that influence a child’s ability to learn so that they work to optimize their success.  Without investments in young children, the state’s attempts to improve educational achievement will fail.  Without investments in these same children once they enter school, the state’s attempts to increase high school graduation rates will fail.  And, without investments in those same young people who struggle to stay engaged with school or have already become disengaged, the state’s attempts to expand access to higher education and modernize its economy will fail.

Access the Data Book, Executive Summary, county profiles and more.

Annual data for all the trend indicators are available through the national Kids Count Data Center website that hosts an interactive format that allows the creation of profiles, graphs, maps, and rankings:

Further information about these resources is available from This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Project Director,