Child Abuse Rate in Florida is Highest in Nation

A progress report on children in Florida brings to light some interesting findings.  On the negative side, fewer Palm Beach County children are abused than in the state as a whole, but Florida's rate is more than double the national average, and the highest in the U.S. Uninsured children in Palm Beach County incurred $17 million in emergency room visits.  Also in Palm Beach County, almost 11% of our kids are living in poverty from birth to 17 years old.

On the positive side, fewer children in our county are obese than in other areas of the state.  And the graduation rate is going up, about 71% of high school seniors in our area graduated last year.

The Children's Services Council says the goal of gathering this data is to use the facts to create a community where kids and families can reach full potential.