KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth released its annual State of the Child report, providing a comprehensive look at child well-being in Tennessee.
From maternal and prenatal health to youth aging out of the foster care system, the TCCY said “The State of the Child in Tennessee 2024” covers as many topics affecting children, youth and families as possible. The data found in the report comes from public reports or data sets.
Some key points of the 2024 report are:
- Nearly one in four high school students considered attempting suicide within the last year.
- The average market rate for daycare was $13,126—slightly below in-state tuition at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
- 39% of students met or exceeded expectations in TCAP English Language Arts.
- 5.6% of children were uninsured in 2023.
- 19.7% of Tennessee children lived below the federal poverty line in 2023.
- 86% of parents report knowing where to seek help in their community when facing difficulties.
- Youth crime rate increased slightly from 42.9 per 1,000 in 2022 to 43.3 per 1,000 in 2023 but remains below pre-pandemic levels.
“It is important to take time to celebrate the successes we have had, while also continuing to work and invest to make Tennessee the best state for children, youth and families,” TCCY Executive Director Richard Kennedy said…