Improve the security of Washington's vulnerable children and adults

Description: Indicator 1(A) is based on poverty rate estimates from the Current Population Survey, a joint project between the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Poverty rates indicate the proportion of the population living below an estimated poverty level. The Census Bureau calculates income thresholds based on family size and composition. If a family's total income was less than the threshold, then that family was considered to be in poverty.

Indicator 1(A) shows the percent of the Washington State population living above the poverty line. For statistical purposes, the rates reported here represent 3-year averages (i.e. 2004 is an average of 2002, 2003, and 2004 estimates).

Source:
U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey
U.S. Census Bureau Poverty in the United States (pdf)
U.S. Census Bureau: Poverty

Description: Data for this indicator were derived from the Washington State Population Survey. "Disabled" here is defined as someone who answered affirmatively that he or she had (a) a condition limiting activities, (b) difficulty learning, remembering, or concentrating, (C) difficulty dressing, bathing, or getting around, (d) difficulty going outside the home, or (e) difficulty working at a job. The numerator is the number of disabled adults who are employed. The denominator is all disabled adults, not just those who are in the labor force (employed or unemployed).

Description: This measure is a "diploma rate" that combines information about high school graduations together with GEDs. The base population (denominator) is the estimated number of 18 year olds in the state. The numerator sums the number of high school diplomas and GEDs granted. The measure is more comprehensive than the traditional graduation rate because it includes GEDs. While it is not strictly a cohort diploma rate because GEDS and diplomas are granted to a population wider than 18 year olds, the measure does indicate the general trend in diplomas awarded.

Source:
State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
Office of Financial Management
    Washington State Data Book

Description: This measure is a ratio of the number of children in Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) custody entering out-of-home care for 60 days and the number of children that have been in care for 60 days or more who completed their permanent plan during a month.

Sources:
DSHS Children's Administration
    Performance and Trend Information

Description: This measure is the proportion of all investigated Child Protective Services (CPS) referrals where a child was determined to be abused and/or neglected.

Sources:
DSHS Children's Administration
    Performance and Trend Information