Every year I look forward to receiving the annual South Dakota KIDS COUNT Factbook. The information within is invaluable when seeking numbers and statistics for status of economic, education, social, and physical well-being of at risk children and their families. Each of the 66 South Dakota counties report information as well as information garnered by the state.
Compared to last year, Yankton County has grown by 151 people bringing to total to 21,986. The demographic indicators are taken from the census; thus the figures are gathered every ten years. On the other hand, the economic, safety, health and education indicators are updated annually.
This past year the economic picture showed an increased need for services. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) provided services to 33 families, 61 recipients, and 49 children in 2009 and in 2010 the numbers were: 39 families, 81 recipients, and 65 children with an average cost per month per family of $361 in 2009 and $370 in 2010. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), formerly known as Food Stamps, served 782 households with 1,674 recipients in 2009 and 1,030 households with 2,254 recipients in 2010 at an average cost per month per recipient of $109 in 2009 and $127 in 2010.
The Safety Indicators showed a decrease of juvenile offense referrals in 2009 compared to 2010 for adjudicatory actions from 236 to 155, non-adjudicatory actions from 87 to 66, commitments to Department of Corrections from 25 to 10 and alcohol treatment programs of 29 to 36. Teens not in school and not in the labor force or unemployed moved from 3.5 percent to 3 percent.
Health Indicators seesawed with improvements in low birth weight babies under 5.5 pounds at 4.6 percent compared to 5.6 percent and a negative swing with births to single females under age 20 of 8.0percent compared to 6.8 percent. Moving up the scale was percentage of women receiving prenatal care of 85.5 percent compared to 85.1 percent with a huge increase in teen violent death rate of 4 in 2009 compared to an average of 1.75 for the past 4 years.
Education Indicators showed a slight increase in enrollment at all schools in Yankton County with a decline in the drop-out rate at Yankton High School of 0.1 percent the past school year compared to 2.7 percent the year before. Last school year recorded 25 percent of the students were eligible for free lunch with 8 percent eligible for reduced-price lunch.
These are a lot of numbers to digest. The economic indicators show an increase in need for food and basic assistance. State programs address many of the needs; however, with tight budgets at the national and state level, the programs that addressed these issues in the past are stressed.
Kids and families count! Your support to the 2011 United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton campaign is needed to assist the 22 partner agencies adequately address the increased needs. The goal is $470,000. With the campaign currently at 74 percent, we ask support for the programs that assist the issues to stop the upward spiral of families at risk.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service
The Consumer Credit Counseling Service is one of the partner assisting families with their financial dilemmas.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) is a local non-profit credit counseling agency, serving Southeast South Dakota for over 25 years. CCCS is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), Accredited by the Council on Accreditation, and have consistently maintained Honor Roll Status with the Better Business Bureau. Services included are: Budget Counseling, Debt Management Programs, Student Loan Consultations, Credit Report Consultations, and Foreclosure Prevention. Appointments are available days, evenings, and some weekends- in person at 610 West 23rd Street Yankton, by phone at (605)665-2106 or toll free 1-888-258-2227, and online at www.lsssd.org.
“CCCS helps give us focus, hope, and a plan to deal with the bills and creditors. Working with CCCS is a mental salvation for me by helping me with student loans, hospital billing departments, creditors and general financial stewardship.”
– current client
“I was able to set up a realistic budget that freed up a lot more money than I had expected, to use toward my debt. She also had some suggestions for resources that I hadn't run into before.”
- current client
CCCS strengthens communities by providing education, such as the free Homebuyer Express which is an opportunity for future homeowners to educate themselves about decisions related to purchasing a home. CCCS also provides a motivating and informative class series titled “Making the Most of… Your Dollars and Credit.” Cost is $10 and includes a valuable workbook.
“The Homebuyer Express class seemed pretty much to be all you ever needed to know about buying a home without any of it being irrelevant. I know that I will be able to make a much more informed decision when searching for a realtor, a home, and the right type of loan for my situation.”