Kids Count Report – Tennessee

Children’s welfare report examines state spending, By Lucas L. Johnson II (AP), June 6, 2012, Knoxville News Sentinel: “Children’s advocates say a report released Wednesday on the welfare of children in Tennessee supports their belief that more preventive care programs will benefit youth long term, as well as save the state money. The Kids Count report, partially funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, focused on children’s well-being, but also examined how the state spends funds to improve the lives of children. Linda O’Neal, executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, said universal prevention services have the lowest per child cost and the greatest cost-benefit potential because of their ability to prevent downstream costs. However, they received the least funding, according to the report compiled by the commission…”