WHO WE ARE

  • WV KIDS COUNT is a private, nonprofit, non-partisan organization that has championed the needs of kids and families for more than 30 years.
  • WV KIDS COUNT is the leading resource for data on child and family well-being in the state.
  • WV KIDS COUNT is a member of the national KIDS COUNT Network, and receives funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, as well as state-level foundations, government grants, corporations and individuals.
  • The WV KIDS COUNT Data Book is our signature program and an objective, reliable and valued source of data for educating policymakers and the public about children’s needs.

WHAT WE DO

Provide state legislators, public officials and child advocates with the reliable data, policy recommendations and tools needed to advance sound policies that benefit West Virginia’s children and families.

A Board of Directors oversees the work of WV KIDS COUNT and the Data & Policy Committee guides indicator selection, and data collection and analysis of data for our projects.

The WV KIDS COUNT Strategic Plan is based on the following three pillars.

  • Data: Provide the most trusted source of data about the well-being of West Virginia’s kids.
  • Partnerships: Establish collaborative relationships with organizations that strive to make every kid count in West Virginia.
  • Hope: Share information about West Virginia’s kids in a way that encourages others to take action on their behalf.

HOW WE DO IT

  • Compile high-quality data on child well-being indicators at the state and county level and publish it in our annual WV KIDS COUNT Data Book. Our data addresses indicators in four domains including: health, education, family and community and economic wellbeing.
  • Work to raise the visibility of children’s issues in the media, particularly poverty and its effects on lifelong outcomes.
  • Publish issue briefs and other data products on topics related to the well-being of West Virginia’s children and families.
  • Partner with organizations to explore data, policy and research topics of interest, and champion policies and practices that benefit West Virginia’s children and families
  • Seek feedback from our stakeholders to understand and respond to their data needs.
  • Provide presentations and trainings on how to understand and utilize our data.
  • Link with the National KIDS COUNT Network which provides access to resources such as: the National KIDS COUNT Data Book, Data Center, policy reports, federal advocacy resources, peer to peer networking, conferences, and trainings.