SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
West Virginia KIDS COUNT
Making WV a Great Place to be a Kid through Data-Driven Solutions
In 1989 , West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton recognized the need for business leaders to play an active role in making West Virginia a great place to be a kid . This resulted in the creation of the West Virginia Task Force on Children , Youth and Families comprised of industry leaders . Later changing its name to West Virginia KIDS COUNT , this initiative served as the first in the country and launched the nationwide KIDS COUNT network supported by the Annie E . Casey Foundation . Today , there is a KIDS COUNT in every state that publishes annual statewide data books to educate the public and policymakers about the needs and conditions of children .
For 32 years , West Virginia KIDS COUNT has continued to publish a yearly data book , lead
Contact Information
Tricia Kingery , Executive Director ( 304 ) 345-2101 tricia @ wvkidscount . org One Creative Place Charleston , WV 25311 wvkidscount . org advocacy efforts , create child and family serving programs and host events that raise awareness and continue the commitment to making West Virginia a great place to be a kid .
Through partnerships with Marshall University , West Virginia University , West Virginia Osteopathic School of Medicine and the KIDS COUNT Data and Policy Committee , the WV KIDS COUNT Data Book is compiled of high-quality data on child well-being indicators at the state and county level . The data addresses indicators in four domains — health , education , family and community and economic well-being — raising the visibility of children ’ s issues , particularly poverty and its effects on lifelong outcomes . Once the data book is released , KIDS COUNT partners with its regional ambassadors , child-serving organizations and local media outlets to provide presentations and trainings on how to understand and utilize the data .
As part of its work as a private , nonprofit , non-partisan organization , West Virginia KIDS COUNT hosts the annual State of West Virginia ’ s Kids Summit & Awards Luncheon . This event celebrates West Virginia ’ s kids and raises funds for the organization through sponsorships . For more information , visit wvkidscount . org / events . Last year , the summit raised funds that allowed the organization to launch the Youth Advisory Council , a statewide platform that allows its leaders to hear the voices behind the data they collect and encourages the development of leadership skills . In addition , the funds support our Diversity Storytelling Video Series , which engages people of color who serve as leaders and mentors for the children in their community .
This year , West Virginia KIDS COUNT hopes to raise even more at its in-person luncheon on Tuesday , October 5 , 2021 , at Edgewood Country Club in Charleston . Through sponsorship opportunities , you can support this important work and help grow new and existing programs . Visit wvkidscount . org to become a sponsor today !