Here’s how the community plan is helping kids and families lead successful lives:

• Children who suffer from hearing loss without anyone knowing often become frustrated and suffer socially and academically
• On average, 30% of children screened fail hearing tests
• 57% of children tested through a program supported by community plan failed their screening
• Nearly 50% of those who failed went on to get the care they need in order to be able to stay on track socially and academically

• 24% of Hispanic teens drop out of school, nationally
• Last year, leadership program targeting Hispanic and other minority youth resulted in 97% of them staying in school
• 96% of the program’s seniors graduated
• 86% of the graduating seniors enrolled in post-secondary education programs

• Kids and teens with positive role models tend to avoid drugs, alcohol and trouble, and have easier time of succeeding in school and life
• Last year, a school-based mentor program supported by community plan matched kids in tough situations with adult mentors
• Mentor-child relationship resulted in better grades for kids: 79% improved reading; 88% improved math; 91% improved language arts
• Total of 89% of participating kids improved behavior

• Miami-Dade 12th graders perform lower than state and national averages on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
• Community plan supports a program for Liberty City kids with poor academic skills that resulted in 50% improving PSAT or SAT scores by 200 points in just six months

• In 2003, more than 16,000 reports of child neglect or abuse in Miami-Dade
• Community plan supports a program that prevents abuse through home-based services including counseling, education to help parents avoid crisis
• After one year, there were no reports of abuse or neglect in the participating families

• Kids in foster care who turn 18 often have nowhere to turn, no life skills, incomplete education
• Community plan supports a group home and training program for kids “graduating” out of foster care
• Last year, this program resulted in 100% of the participating young adults either being in school or working
• 80% of those that left the program secured permanent housing

• Average stay in Miami-Dade foster care: 56 months
• Legal maximum: 12 months
• 52% of kids in foster care have mental health/emotional issues that make permanent placement very difficult (50% of foster adoptions fail)
• Last year, a program supported by the community plan offered counseling to foster families in crisis
• 100% of these families are still together