We can't wait a decade

Every day researchers, policymakers, providers and parents look for the policies and practices that will finally level the playing field, close the achievement gap, and improve the odds for at-risk children.  Progress is being made. Yet, there is still a ways to go, particularly when looking at differences in child well-being by race, ethnicity and income.  Fortunately, we have many of the solutions; we just need the will to invest in the right policies now.

The Foundation for Child Development's Child Well-Being Index (CWI) measures 28 quality of life indicators in the areas of health, educational attainment, economic well-being, safety and behavioral concerns, social relationships, community connectedness, and emotional-spiritual well-being.  Recent analysis of the CWI found that racial and ethnic differences in child well-being decreased between 1985 and 2004. Read more.