BOOTHEEL STILL RANKS BOTTOM FOR KIDS

A Cape Girardeau teen-ager was less likely to become pregnant or drop out of high school in 1997 than five years earlier.

However, for the fourth year in a row, Bootheel counties rank at the bottom of the list when authors of the annual "Kids Count in Missouri" study looked a child-welfare indicators.

The statewide survey by the Annie E. Casey Foundation looked at changes in child-welfare indicators between 1992 and 1997. When all the indicators are compiled, children's status in Missouri's 115 counties are ranked.

Cape Girardeau County ranks 16. St. Louis City ranks 115. In the Bootheel, Dunklin, Mississippi and Pemiscot counties rank 112, 113 and 114, unchanged each year since 1995.

The best Missouri county for child welfare, according to this study, is St. Charles.

In Pemiscot County, the rate of teens giving birth was the worst in the state, as was the number of low birth weight infants. The number of high school dropouts has gone up in the past five years as have violent deaths among teens. Nearly half of all children in the county live in poverty.

By contrast, Cape Girardeau County has 16.6 percent of children living in poverty, and St. Charles County has just 8.5 percent of children living in poverty.

Statewide, 1997 saw fewer infants and children die and fewer teens gave birth than five years ago.

"The number of teen homicide, car crash or suicide victims is starting to decrease as well," said Susan Scribner, Kids Count in Missouri project director. "Missouri's healthy economy has helped families support their children. Targeted efforts by public and private programs have also made a difference for kids."

However, the report notes that society's response in helping abused and neglected children remains inadequate. Daily, 43 Missouri children are confirmed as abused or neglected. In 1997, 45 children died as a result of abuse or neglect at the hands of parents or other caretakers. Three-quarters of these children were under the age of six at the time of their death.

"Childhood should be a carefree, innocent time, but abused or neglected children learn early about pain, anger and sadness," Scribner. "Abuse can take many forms. Some children are physically shaken or beaten. Some are sexually abused. Some suffer without visible scars from neglect, lacking adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or education."

The entire report can be accessed online at www.umsl.edu/(tilde)cmc/