Polk County

S T A T U S O F O R E G O N ’ S C H I L D R E N 2 0 1 1

P OP U LA TIO N CHILD HEALTH

There are no School-Based Health Centers in this county.
TOTAL 69,145
59 newborns were low birthweight.
Children ages 0-17 16,068
CHILD WELFARE

Healthy Kids 9,033 reports of child abuse/neglect were made in this area in 2010. 38% of these
Increase in number of children enrolled in the
reports were assessed. 25% of assessed reports in Polk County were founded.
Healthy Kids program from September 2010 253 children in the county have been in foster care at least once in the past year.
to September 2011: 10.0% 22.1% of founded abuse/neglect/threat of harm referrals were related to domestic
10,000
violence and 47.1% were related to substance abuse.
9,000
23.3% of children experiencing their first out-of-home placement were living with
relatives.
8,000 7,229
14 youth aged out of foster care.
7,000 6,503
6,000 FAMILY FINANCES & STABILITY
5,000

4,000 $59,200 is the median family income, which is 6% lower than the state median.
3,000 4.78 per 1,000 people filed for personal bankruptcy in 2010, a 13.3% increase since
2,000
2009.
1,000
50% of public school children were eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches
0
during the school year. On average, 2,280 children ate free/reduced price lunches
Sept. 2010 Sept. 2011 on a given day, while 26,603 lunches were served to children during the summer.
Total Enrollment Total Enrollment
C OU N T Y I ND I C A T O RS
Current Current Rate Change Avg. Rate Current Rate
Total Rate from Previous Compared to
Victims by Age Health Number Previous Year 5 Years Oregon

Founded abuse/neglect/threat of harm Immunizations NA 75.3 7% Better 73.6 2% Worse

victims grouped by age (2010). Infant Mortality (per 1,000 live births) 4 4.4 23% Better 5.2 117% Worse
Number of Founded Victims: 210 Obesity NA NA NA NA NA
Teen Pregnancy (per 1,000 girls ages 15-17) 29 20.5 11% Better 27.4 11% Worse
5 years and Uninsured Children 927 5.0 100% Worse NA 43% Better
younger 16.7%
Child Welfare
6 to 12 years 50.5%
Abuse and Neglect Victims (per 1,000 ages 0-17) 135 8.4 17% Better 11.0 14% Worse
32.9%
Foster Care Placement Stability NA 83.3 11% Worse 83.4 5% Worse
13+ years Recurrence of Maltreatment NA 3.1 35% Better 9.1 26% Better
Threat of Harm Victims (per 1,000 ages 0-17) 75 4.7 62% Worse 4.0 11% Better

Family Supports Financial Stability

The chart shows the number of children Childhood Poverty (ages 0-17) 3,990 22.0 18% Worse 17.0 1% Worse
helped by several key family supports in a Child Support Payments NA 63.7 2% Better 65.9 7% Better
month. Unemployment NA 9.3 1% Worse 6.1 14% Better
Number of Low-Income Children: 7,582 Early Care and Education
3rd Grade Math Proficiency 273 57.1 23% Worse 77.8 9% Worse
Cash
3rd Grade Reading Proficiency 349 73.2 6% Worse 81.7 12% Worse
Assistance 984
(TANF) Child Care Supply (slots per 100 ages 0-13) 1,790 16.0 NA 13.4 6% Worse
Early Prenatal Care 672 73.9 22% Worse 81.6 2% Better
Food
Stamps 4,812 Head Start/ Oregon PreKindergarten NA NA NA 56.6 NA
(SNAP)
Youth Development and Education
Employment
Related 300 8th Grade Math Proficiency 305 57.3 13% Worse 66.8 11% Worse
Day Care
8th Grade Reading Proficiency 372 70.1 15% Better 63.5 3% Worse
0 1,500 3,000 4,500 6,000 High School Dropout 65 3.0 8% Better 3.2 11% Better
Homeless Students 231 3.1 NA NA 16% Better
Juvenile Arrests (per 1,000 under age 18) NA NA NA 17.1 NA
Cohort Graduation Rate 383 61.7 NA NA 7% Worse
34 www.cffo.org * Denotes regional data
 DATA NOTES & DEFINITIONS

State of Oregon
STATU S OF OR EGON’S CHILDREN 2011

CHILD HEALTH POPU LATION

9.4% of students have a School-Based Health Center in their school.
TOTAL 3,844,195
2,870 newborns were low birthweight.
Children ages 0-17 884,078
CHILD WELFARE
71,886 reports of child abuse/neglect were made in 2010. 40% of these reports were Healthy Kids
assessed. 25% of assessed reports in Oregon were founded. Increase in number of children enrolled in the
13,129 children in the state have been in foster care at least once in the past year. Healthy Kids program from September 2010

B
32.6% of founded abuse/neglect/threat of harm referrals were related to domestic to September 2011: 10.9%
violence and 44.4% were related to substance abuse. 400,000
371,501
25.8% of children experiencing their first out-of-home placement were living with 360,000
330,906
relatives.
320,000
427 youth aged out of foster care.
280,000

FAMILY FINANCES & STABILITY 240,000

200,000
$63,100 is the median family income, which is 2% lower than the national median. 160,000
5.06 per 1,000 people filed for personal bankruptcy in 2010, a 10.2% increase since 120,000
2009. 80,000
52.0% of public school children were eligible to receive free/reduced price lunches 40,000
during the school year. On average, 204,898 children ate free/reduced price lunches 0
on a given day, while 1,345,805 lunches were served to children during the summer. Sept. 2010 Sept. 2011
Total Enrollment Total Enrollment
C O UNTY I NDI C ATO RS Current Current Rate Change from Avg. Rate

D A
Total Rate Previous Year Previous
Health Number 5 Years Victims by Age
Immunizations NA 76.8 9% Better 76.0 Founded abuse/neglect/threat of harm
Infant Mortality (per 1,000 live births) 222 2.0 59% Better 5.2 victims grouped by age (2010).
Obesity NA NA NA NA Number of Founded Victims: 11,188
Teen Pregnancy (per 1,000 girls ages 15-17) 1,404 18.6 11% Better 23.7
5 years and
Uninsured Children 75,751 8.8 17% Better NA
younger 17.2%
Child Welfare
48.3%
6 to 12 years
Abuse and Neglect Victims (per 1,000 ages 0-17) 6,501 7.4 1% Worse 7.1 34.5%
Foster Care Placement Stability NA 88.0 1% Better 84.7
Recurrence of Maltreatment NA 4.2 35% Better 7.5 13+ years
Threat of Harm Victims (per 1,000 ages 0-17) 4,687 5.3 2% Worse 5.6

Financial Stability Family Supports

C
Childhood Poverty (ages 0-17) 184,511 21.7 12% Worse 18.2 The chart shows the number of children
Child Support Payments NA 59.7 1% Better 61.0 helped by several key family supports in a
Unemployment NA 10.8 3% Better 6.8 month.

Early Care and Education Number of Low-Income Children: 374,197

3rd Grade Math Proficiency 42,106 62.7 20% Worse 77.5

Cash
3rd Grade Reading Proficiency 34,601 83.4 1% Better 83.6
Assistance 58,910
Child Care Supply (slots per 100 ages 0-13) 110,104 17.0 NA 17.2 (TANF)
Early Prenatal Care 33,100 72.6 23% Worse 82.8
Food
Head Start/ Oregon PreKindergarten 12,523 63.9 3% Better 60.2 Stamps 294,125
(SNAP)
Youth Development and Education
Employment
8th Grade Math Proficiency 27,240 64.5 10% Worse 69.4 Related 16,405
Day Care
8th Grade Reading Proficiency 30,381 72.0 3% Better 67.6
High School Dropout 5,980 3.4 19% Better 4.2 0 75,000 150,00 225,000 300,000
Homeless Students 20,541 3.7 NA NA
Juvenile Arrests (per 1,000 under age 18) NA NA NA 15.
Cohort Graduation Rate 32,951 66.4 NA NA
* Denotes regional data www.cffo.org 7

A. SIDE BAR DATA AND GRAPHS November 2011. Income eligibility for food stamps (or
SNAP) is 185% FPL for most applicants.
POPULATION Estimated population of Oregon and its Jane Sabatino, Research Analyst, Department of Human
counties by age (2010). Services: Children and Adults and Families Performance and
2010 Annual Population Report. Portland State University: Reporting, report emailed to CFFO on December 14, 2011.
Population Research Center.
B. NARRATIVE TOP SECTION DATA
HEALTHY KIDS Number of children enrolled in Oregon’s
Healthy Kids program, September 2011 compared to Child Health
September 2010. Income eligibility is up to 300% FPL for
free or reduced coverage. SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CARE ACCESS Percent of children
Jay Grussing, Research Analyst, Office for Oregon Health who have a certified school-based health center in their
Policy and Research, September Healthy Kids report emailed school (2010-11 school year). CFFO analysis of School
to CFFO December 19, 2011. Enrollment Summaries compared to certified health centers.
“October 1 Enrollment Summary.” 2010-2011. Oregon
VICTIMS BY AGE Percent of confirmed victims of abuse/ Department of Education. Loretta Jenkins, School Based Health
neglect/threat of harm by age. Center Program, Oregon Health Authority: Public Health
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services: Division, report emailed to CFFO on December 15, 2011.
Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to CFFO
on January 23, 2012. LOW BIRTWEIGHT Number of infants born weighing less
than 2500 grams.
FAMILY SUPPORTS Number of low-income children is the “Low Birthweight Infants by County of Residence, Oregon
number of related children ages 0-17 who live in households Resident Births, 2010.” 2011. Oregon Health Authority:
with incomes under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Center for Health Statistics.
“Age by Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12
Months.” 2010 American Community Survey 3-Year Child Welfare
Estimates. American Fact Finder (Table C17024).
REPORTS OF ABUSE/NEGLECT/THREAT OF HARM
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and The number of calls about suspected abuse, neglect or
Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) data reflect the threat of harm received by DHS (FFY 2010). Total includes
number of children served in October 2011. Income calls closed at screening and those referred for investigation.
eligibility levels for the programs are as follows: cash Data combined regionally: (1) Baker, Union, Wallowa; (2)
assistance (or TANF) is approximately 45% FPL; Employment Coos, Curry; (3) Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson; (4) Gilliam,
Related Day Care is 185% FPL. Wheeler; (5) Grant, Harney, Malheur; (6) Jackson, Josephine;
“Oregon Department of Human Services Self Sufficiency (7) Linn, Benton, Lincoln; (8) Marion, Polk; (9) Morrow,
Programs: Branch and District Data October 2011.” Umatilla; (10) Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington; (11)
Department of Human Services. Tillamook, Clatsop, Columbia; (12) Wasco, Sherman.
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to
reflects the monthly average of children served January- CFFO on September 15, 2011.

49
 DATA NOTES & DEFINITIONS
ASSESSED REPORTS Percent suspected child abuse/
neglect and/or threat of harm reports that were referred for
investigation, regardless of the outcome of assessment (FFY
2010).
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services:
Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to
CFFO on September 15, 2011.
FOUNDED REPORTS Percent of child abuse/neglect and/
or threat of harm reports received by the Department of
Human Services that are assessed and then founded (FFY
2010).
“2010 Child Welfare Data Book.” 2011. Department of
Human Services: Children Adults and Families Division,
Office of Program, Performance and Reporting.
FAMILY STRESSORS Percent of confirmed abuse/neglect/
threat of harm victims where the family stressor that led to
the abuse was domestic violence or substance abuse. Many
stress factors are co-occurring. Other examples of stress
factors are financial stress, heavy childcare, inadequate
housing, caregiver history of abuse or parental involvement
with law enforcement. (FFY 2010).
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services:
Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to
CFFO on September 15, 2011.
FOSTER CARE Number of children from the reporting
county who spent at least one day in substitute care during
the year (FFY 2010). Substitute care involves temporary,
out-of-home placement for children found by a court to
be in need of protection or removal from their home.
Substitute care includes foster family care or placement with
non-custodial relatives, emergency shelter, group-home
care, therapeutic foster care, respite care, and residential
treatment care.
“2010 Child Welfare Data Book.” 2011. Department of
Human Services: Children Adults and Families Division,
Office of Program, Performance and Reporting.
YOUTH AGING OUT Number of youth who exit the foster
care system at age 18 or older, as independents (2010).
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services:
Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to
CFFO on September 15, 2011.
RELATIVE PLACEMENT Percent of foster children who were
living with a relative on first episode/first placement (July-
Dec 2010).
“Dashboard Report – District and Statewide January 2012.”
2012. Department of Human Services: Children, Adults and
Families Division.
Family Finances And Stability
MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME Estimated median family income
(2011).
“Notice PDR-2011-01.” 2011. U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development. eFannieMae. “2011-2012 Area
Median Incomes.” Accessed August 30, 2011. https://www.
efanniemae.com/sf/refmaterials/hudmedinc/
PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY Rate per 1,000 (total population)
of personal bankruptcy filings. Includes Chapter 7 and
Chapter 13 filings (2010).
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “Personal
50
D . C O U NT Y I ND I C A T O RS K E Y
CURRENT number
Number of incidents for the most recent year of data.
CURRENT RATE
County rate for the most recent year of data.
Rate Change from Previous Year
Percentage change between rate in previous year and
most recent year of data.
Average Rate Previous 5 Years
Average of the previous five years of data, not
including most recent year of data.
Current Rate Compared to Oregon
Comparison of most recent county rate with Oregon
rate for same year.
NA
Data not available.
Bankruptcy Filing Rate (per 1,000 population) Oregon.”
Accessed March 8, 2012. http://www2.fdic.gov/recon/ovrpt.
asp?CPT_CODE=NBR&ST_CODE=41&RPT_TYPE=Tables
SCHOOL MEALS Percent of children eligible to receive
free or reduced-price lunch (2010-11 school year). Income
eligibility levels are 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
for “free” and 185% FPL for “reduced-price.” Average
number of children served a free or reduced-price lunch on a
school day (2010-11 school year).
Heidi Dupuis, Manager of School Nutrition Programs,
Oregon Department of Education, report emailed to CFFO
on January 6, 2012.
SUMMER LUNCH Total number of children served lunch
during the summer at a federally-funded Summer Food
Service Program or National School Lunch Program
“seamless waiver” sites (2011).
Heidi Dupuis, Manager of School Nutrition Programs,
Oregon Department of Education, report emailed to CFFO
on January 17, 2012.
C. COUNTY INDICATORS TABLE
Health
IMMUNIZATIONS Percent of two-year-olds being up to date
for their 4:3:1:3 immunization series (2010).
Oregon Health Authority, Office of Public Health. “Oregon
Immunization Surveillance and Evaluation.” Accessed
December 8, 2011. http://public.health.oregon.gov/
PreventionWellness/VaccinesImmunization/Pages/research.aspx
INFANT MORTALITY Number of infant deaths under one
year of age per 1,000 live births.

“Oregon Resident Deaths by Age Group and County of
Residence, 2010 Preliminary Data*.” 2011. Oregon Health
Authority: Center for Health Statistics.
OBESITY Due to budget cuts, data on the percent of 11th
grade students who are overweight and at-risk for being
overweight is no longer available at the county level.
Previous year’s data was from the Oregon Healthy Teens
Survey.
Beware of Small Numbers
Counties vary significantly in population, size, and
geography and this variance should be considered
when interpreting the differences among counties.
Be aware that small counties may have a small
number of events (e.g., child deaths, suicide
attempts) that can cause rates to vary considerably
from year to year; such variations may not reflect
significant changes in the indicators. Rates based on
less than five events are considered unstable.
What is Being Measured
Several types of data information are available for
each indicator, and it is important to distinguish
among them. The number, rate, percentage change
between years, the five-year average, and the county
rate compared to Oregon are all very different
measures. A relevant column heading explains the
information presented in the county indicator box.
To get a better understanding of how the indicators
themselves are defined, refer to the data definitions
in this section.
Some Challenges with Data
For many of these indicators there are no perfect
methods to measure data outcomes. Counties have
varying reliability in their record keeping systems or
resources committed to counting occurrences.
Children First relies on the data that is available from
various state agencies. Many of these measures are
in need of improvement. However, interpreted
carefully, data presented here can be very useful
tools for developing a meaningful assessment of
child well-being.
Data Tells Only Part of the Story
While these data provide important baseline
information, they must be understood in a broader
context. Remember that a data snapshot provides
one way to look at how children are doing in
the county. There are many other important
perspectives to include and consider in piecing
together an accurate composite. Some of the other
sources of critical viewpoints include: human service
agencies, government, schools, parents, and young
people themselves.
DATA NOTES & DEFINITIONS
TEEN PREGNANCY Sum of resident live births and induced
abortions among females ages 15-17 and rate per 1,000
females ages 15-17 (2010 preliminary data).
“Teen Pregnancy Count for Teens 15-17, by County of
Residence, 2007-2010.” Oregon Health Authority: Center for
Health Statistics.
“Teen Pregnancy Rates for Teens 15-17, by County of
Residence, 2007-2010.” Oregon Health Authority: Center for
Health Statistics.
UNINSURED CHILDREN Percent of children ages 0-18
estimated to be without health insurance. Data for Oregon
and the following counties is from the U.S. Census Bureau,
2010 American Community Survey: Benton, Clackamas,
Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Linn,
Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Umatilla, Washington, Yamhill.
Due to small populations, data for the other counties is
combined into regions: (1) Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker;
(2) Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Hood River, Jefferson, Morrow,
Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler; (3) Harney, Klamath, Lake,
Malheur; (4) Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Tillamook; (5)
Coos, Curry, Josephine.
“Health Insurance Coverage Status by Age by Sex.” 2010
American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. American Fact
Finder (Table C27001).
Jay Grussing, Research Analyst, Oregon Health Authority:
Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research, report emailed
to CFFO on December 14, 2011.
Child Welfare
ABUSE AND NEGLECT VICTIMS Number of confirmed child
victims of abuse or neglect (excluding Threat of Harm) and
rate per 1,000 children under age 18 (FFY 2010).
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services:
Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to
CFFO on September 15, 2011.
FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT STABILITY Average percent of
children in foster care with two or fewer placement settings,
of those children who have been in foster care less than 12
months from the time of the latest removal (FFY 2010).
Definition of “placement stability” corresponds to federal
guidelines.
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services:
Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to
CFFO on September 15, 2011.
RECURRENCE OF MALTREATMENT Percent of known
victims of abuse/neglect with a second victimization within
six months of a prior victimization (FFY 2010). Definition of
“reabuse rate” corresponds to federal guidelines.
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services:
Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to
CFFO on September 15, 2011.
THREAT OF HARM VICTIMS Number of confirmed threat
of harm victims and rate per 1,000 children under age 18
(FFY 2010). “Threat of Harm” victims are children living
in conditions or circumstances determined to represent a
substantial risk of harm, such as living in a serious domestic
violence situation.
Anna Cox, Research Analyst, Department of Human Services:
Children, Adults and Families Division, report emailed to
CFFO on September 15, 2011.
51
 DATA NOTES & DEFINITIONS
Financial Stability
CHILDHOOD POVERTY Number and percent of children
estimated to live in families with incomes at or below 100%
of the Federal Poverty Level ($22,050 for a family of four).
U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty
Estimates (SAIPE). “Estimates for Oregon Counties: Under
age 18 in poverty, 2010.” Accessed December 13, 2011.
http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/county.html
CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS Average percent of court-
ordered child support payments that were actually paid (FFY
2011).
Kate Richardson, Deputy Director and Policy Chief, Oregon
Department of Justice: Division of Child Support, report
emailed to CFFO on November 7, 2011.
UNEMPLOYMENT Percent of the population who are
unemployed and seeking work (2010 Annual).
Oregon Employment Department. “Local Area Employment
Statistics.” Accessed December 2011. http://www.
qualityinfo.org/olmisj/labforce?x=1&y=1
Early Care And Education
3RD GRADE MATH PROFICIENCY Percent of 3rd grade
students who met or exceeded state standards in math
(2010-11 school year).
Jon Wiens, Accountability Reporting – Education Specialist,
Oregon Department of Education, report emailed to CFFO
on November 16, 2011.
3RD GRADE READING PROFICIENCY Percent of 3rd grade
students who met or exceeded state standards in reading
(2010-11 school year).
Jon Wiens, Accountability Reporting – Education Specialist,
Oregon Department of Education, report emailed to CFFO
on November 16, 2011.
52
CHILD CARE SUPPLY Estimated number of identified
childcare slots available for every 100 children under age 13
(2010). Data is updated every two years.
“Estimated Supply of Child Care in Oregon as of March 31,
2010.” 2010. Oregon Child Care Research Partnership.
EARLY PRENATAL CARE Percent of births to mothers who
received prenatal care beginning in their first trimester.
“First Trimester Care by County of Residence, Oregon
Resident Births, 2010 Preliminary+.” 2011. Oregon Health
Authority: Center for Health Statistics.
HEAD START / OREGON PREKINDERGARTEN Due to
budget cuts, the estimated number and percent of eligible
children served by Head Start or the Oregon Prekindergarten
is no longer available at the county level. Previous years’ data
was collected from the Oregon Department of Education,
Office of Student & Learning Partnerships, Early Childhood
Section.
Youth Development And Education
8TH GRADE MATH PROFICIENCY Percent of 8th grade
students who met or exceeded state standards in math
(2010-11 school year).
Jon Wiens, Accountability Reporting – Education Specialist,
Oregon Department of Education, report emailed to CFFO
on November 16, 2011.
8TH GRADE READING PROFICIENCY Percent of 8th grade
students who met or exceeded state standards in reading
(2010-11 school year).
Jon Wiens, Accountability Reporting – Education Specialist,
Oregon Department of Education, report emailed to CFFO
on November 16, 2011.
HOMELESS STUDENTS Number and percent of students
who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence during the academic year (2010-11). A student
is identified as homeless when they live in emergency
shelter or share housing with others due to loss of housing
or economic hardship, stay at motels or live in cars, parks,
public places, tents, trailers or other similar settings.
Oregon Department of Education. “Homeless Student
Count 2011 by County and District.” Accessed December
9, 2011.
http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/superintendent/release/
homeless-student-count-2011---details-by-county-and-
district.xls
JUVENILE ARRESTS Updated data on the number of juvenile
arrests for person or property crimes and rate per 1,000
children ages 0-17 is not currently available. Previous years’
data was collected through the Uniform Crime Reporting
Program, Department of State Police.
COHORT GRADUATION RATE The number and
percentage of students who receive a regular diploma
within four years (graduating 2009-10 academic year).
Oregon Department of Education “Cohort Media File
2009-2010.” Accessed December 21, 2011.
http://www.ode.state.or.us/wma/data/schoolanddistrict/
students/docs/cohortmediafile2009-2010.xls