Benchmark Descriptions

Births to Mothers under 18 Years of Age

Number (or rate per 1,000) of live births to mothers under 18 years of age.

Child Abuse and Neglect: Investigation - Probable Cause

Number (or rate per 1,000) of child abuse and neglect cases where probable cause was concluded.

Note: The classification of child abuse and neglect cases was changed beginning in 2000. Therefore data prior to 2000 is not available.

Children Placed in DFS Custody Due to CA/N

Number (or rate per 1,000) of children whose initial placement in the custody of the Division of Family Services was due to child abuse or neglect.

Crimes Against Persons

Number (or rate per 100,000) of crimes against persons, including four offenses: murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. These are Part I crimes which involve force or threat of force. Note: Kansas City, Joplin, and Sikeston cover multiple counties. For these cities, data is reported to their primary county of police department jurisdiction. These are Jackson County, Jasper County, and New Madrid County.

Crimes Against Property

Number (or rate per 100,000) of crimes against property, including the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. These are Part I crimes where the object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. Arson is included since it involves the destruction of property; its victims may be subjected to force. Note: Kansas City, Joplin, and Sikeston cover multiple counties. For these cities, data is reported to their primary county of police department jurisdiction. These are Jackson County, Jasper County, and New Madrid County.

Deaths Due to Alcohol or Drugs

Number (or rate per 100,000) of resident deaths for which the underlying cause of death given on the death certificate was related to alcohol or drug abuse. Included are accidental alcohol poisoning and poisoning from medically prescribed and other drugs. Excluded are accidents, homicides and other causes related to substance abuse, and fetal and newborn death due to mother’s use. Note: Number and rates from 1999 and 2000 are not comparable to 1998 and earlier because of changes in rules for selecting and classifying cause of death.

Deaths Due to Tobacco Use

Number (or rate per 100,000) of smoking-attributable deaths. These are estimates based on the increased likelihood of dying of various diseases due to smoking tobacco. Note: Numbers and rates for 1999 and 2000 may not be comparable to those for 1998 and earlier because of changes in rules for selecting and classifying cause of death.

Domestic Violence

Number (rate not available) of domestic violence incidents, defined as any dispute arising between spouses, former spouses, persons related by blood or marriage, individuals who are presently residing together or have resided together in the past, and persons who have a child in common, regardless of whether they have been married or have resided together at any time. Note: Domestic violence data were gathered from Missouri Crime Summaries produced by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. These incidents reflect data reported by law enforcement agencies directly to the MSHP from 1995 through 2000. All other data was obtained from UCR reports submitted by law enforcement agencies directly to the FBI during the same time frame. It is important to understand that prior to 2001, law enforcement agencies were not required to report crime activity to either the MSHP or FBI. Hence, agencies reported voluntarily to either repository, both, or neither. The result of this reporting discrepancy can result in unavailable data. Note: Kansas City, Joplin, and Sikeston cover multiple counties. For these cities, data is reported to their primary county of police department jurisdiction. These are Jackson County, Jasper County, and New Madrid County.

Free/Reduced Lunch

Percentage of students receiving either a free or reduced-price lunch through the USDA National School Lunch Program.

High School Graduation

Percent of students that either received a high school degree or passed an equivalency exam by the age of 18.

High School Graduation: Post-Secondary Analysis

Percent of students moving on to post-secondary education, 2 year college, vocational or technical school, the military, or a job

Hospitalization Due to Primary Diagnosis of Mental Disorder

The number of individuals who are hospitalized in a community hospital or state mental health acute care facility with a primary diagnosis of mental disorder. Includes substance abuse, does not include mental retardation. Rate per 10,000.

Hospitalization with Any Secondary Diagnosis of Mental Disorder

The number of individuals who are hospitalized with mental disorder listed as any secondary diagnosis. Includes substance abuse and mental retardation. Rate per 10,000.

Juvenile Crime - Crimes Against Persons

Number (or rate per 1,000) of juvenile court referrals for selected non-status offences including: Crimes against persons, crimes against property, drugs crimes, peace disturbance (Miscellaneous category NOT included)

Low Birth Weight Babies

Number (or rate for 1,000) of live singleton births to mothers with birth weight lower than 5.5 lbs.

MAP Test Data

Percent of students scoring in each of three categories (Step 1 and Progressing; Nearing proficiency; Proficient and Advanced) on the Missouri Assessment Program Tests for Communications (3rd, 7th, 11th grades) and Math (4th, 8th, 10th grades)

Self-inflicted Injury, age 15-24

Number (or rate per 100,000) of persons age 15-24 who were hospitalized or treated in an emergency for self-inflicted injuries. ICD-9-CM E-codes (External cause of injury) in the range 950-959 range, which also had to have an injury diagnosis (ICD-9-CM codes 800-959) in the first diagnosis field.

Self-inflicted Injury, age under 15

Number (or rate per 100,000) of persons under age 15 who were hospitalized or treated in an emergency for self-inflicted injuries. ICD-9-CM E-codes (External cause of injury) in the range 950-959 range, which also had to have an injury diagnosis (ICD-9-CM codes 800-959) in the first diagnosis field.

Unemployment: 1990 - 2000

Number (or percent/rate per 100) of persons who have filed for unemployment status.

Unemployment: 2001

Number (or percent/rate per 100) of persons who have filed for unemployment status. Preliminary data for Dec 2001.

Unintentional Injury Resulting in Death

Number (or rate per 100,000) of resident deaths for which the underlying cause of death was due to unintentional injury or poisoning, excluding medical complications (ICD codes below), for whatever period is being examined. Rates are age adjusted.International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes E800-869, E880-929.

Unintentional Injury Resulting in Hospitalization

Number (or rate per 100,000) of admissions to hospitals that have ICD-9 codes indicating unintentional injury or poisoning. Rates are age adjusted. Includes injuries E-coded within the ranges E800-869, E880-929 and a principal diagnosis of injury (diagnosis codes 800-995).