Measuring the Impact of Child Indicators

Despite a proliferation of initiatives using statistical indicators to promote better public understanding of child well-being around the world, little information has been generated about the impact of such projects. This paper provides readers with information about the impact of one such project in the United States, KIDS COUNT. A short overview of the history, rationale, and activity of the KIDS COUNT project is provided prior to presenting data regarding the impact of the project. The data show that KIDS COUNT Data Book receives extensive media attention when it is released each year. Among seven key audiences (Congressional staff, state legislators, state legislators’ staff, state legislative leaders, business leaders, county officials, and data users) half or more of each group said there were aware of the KIDS COUNT initiative. Most of those who are aware of KIDS COUNT have positive perceptions about it as being timely, clear, credible, useful, and relevant to policymakers and respected by people with differing political views. A large share of each group says they use the KIDS COUNT data for a variety of applications. Most respondents say they think KIDS COUNT has had an impact on public awareness of children’s issues and an impact on public policy.