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By
national standards children in Massachusetts are among
the most fortunate in the country. Massachusetts ranks
in the top ten percent among states on several key indicators
of child well-being. Public health advances have made
our child death rate for children ages 1 to 14 the lowest
in the nation and our infant mortality rate third among
states.
However,
contrast between the state's overall progress and the
incidence of child maltreatment is stark and confounding.
In the decade from 1987 to 1997, Massachusetts saw an
98 percent increase in the number of children reported
for abuse or neglect, compared to a national increase
of 54 percent during the same period. Based on the latest
data, roughly 46 of every 1,000 children in our state
is involved each year in a child abuse or neglect report.
Each year, thousands of newborn children in Massachusetts
go home from hospital only to return later with unthinkable
injuries - injuries that for most will be life-changing
and for some will be life-ending.
Although
Massachusetts ranks consistently in the top three to four
states in per capital income, we have been unable to translate
this extraordinary wealth into reductions in childhood
poverty, family violence or child maltreatment. States
with fewer resources but clear vision are leading a national
reform of child protection that is innovative, pro-active
and effective.
Since
May 1999, over 200 Massachusetts policymakers and advocates
have participated with Massachusetts Citizens for Children
in the "Summit Initiative on Child Protection and Family
Support." Motivated by a shared belief that overall current
systems do not reflect our state's deep and longstanding
commitment to improving children's lives, they collaborated
to achieve a consensus for change. This State Call
To Action reflects their collective vision on how
Massachusetts can successfully deal with child maltreatment
and reclaim its historic role of leadership in meeting
the essential needs of all its children.
Charles
Welch, M.D., President
Massachusetts
Citizens for Children
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