Children's Adversity Index Report
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| Title: | Children's Adversity Index Report |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) |
| Source: | Illinois State Board of Education. 2025. |
| Availability: | Illinois State Board of Education. 100 North First Street, Springfield, IL 62777. Tel: 217-782-4321; Fax: 217-785-3972; e-mail: infocenter@isbe.net; Web site: http://www.isbe.net |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 28 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: | Elementary Education Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Educational Legislation, State Legislation, Child Safety, Trauma, Trauma Informed Approach, Measures (Individuals), Well Being, Elementary School Students, Secondary School Students, Early Experience, Educational Indicators |
| Geographic Terms: | Illinois |
| Abstract: | Public Act 103-0413 mandates the creation of a community- or district-level Children's Adversity Index to measure community childhood trauma among children aged 3 to 18 across Illinois by May 31, 2025. The statute tasks the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with leading a cross-agency effort to develop the index, which will incorporate data on adverse incidents and elements of a child's environment that may undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding. Following passage of the legislation in 2023, ISBE initiated a significant research phase as the first step in building the Children's Adversity Index. This research involved analyzing relevant data, reviewing comparable indices, and conducting expert interviews to establish a strong foundation for the project. The development of the actual index kicked off in earnest in 2024. The development of the Children's Adversity Index has been a collaborative effort, involving input and feedback from state agencies and external experts at various stages. ISBE engaged representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Early Childhood, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Department of Innovation and Technology, as well as content experts and representatives from community-based agencies across the state. This inclusive approach ensures that the index addresses the complex factors affecting children's well- being. The index is calculated at the district level, dividing the state into communities based on district boundaries to allow for comparison of each district's trauma exposure measures to one another and the state average. The index quantifies the exposure to trauma for children and families across the state. It uses publicly available data sources and considers the following domains: (1) Community risk trajectories; (2) Community unmet needs; and (3) Community barriers to economic progress. The index was not developed in isolation but as part of a broader network of initiatives aimed at meaningful change for children, families, and communities. The state intends for the index to identify areas of opportunity across the state to provide targeted resources and support to enhance the well-being of children and their communities. This report outlines the development process pertaining to the Children's Adversity Index; it also includes final trauma exposure levels for each district community in the state. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED676257 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Public Act 103-0413 mandates the creation of a community- or district-level Children's Adversity Index to measure community childhood trauma among children aged 3 to 18 across Illinois by May 31, 2025. The statute tasks the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with leading a cross-agency effort to develop the index, which will incorporate data on adverse incidents and elements of a child's environment that may undermine their sense of safety, stability, and bonding. Following passage of the legislation in 2023, ISBE initiated a significant research phase as the first step in building the Children's Adversity Index. This research involved analyzing relevant data, reviewing comparable indices, and conducting expert interviews to establish a strong foundation for the project. The development of the actual index kicked off in earnest in 2024. The development of the Children's Adversity Index has been a collaborative effort, involving input and feedback from state agencies and external experts at various stages. ISBE engaged representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Early Childhood, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Department of Innovation and Technology, as well as content experts and representatives from community-based agencies across the state. This inclusive approach ensures that the index addresses the complex factors affecting children's well- being. The index is calculated at the district level, dividing the state into communities based on district boundaries to allow for comparison of each district's trauma exposure measures to one another and the state average. The index quantifies the exposure to trauma for children and families across the state. It uses publicly available data sources and considers the following domains: (1) Community risk trajectories; (2) Community unmet needs; and (3) Community barriers to economic progress. The index was not developed in isolation but as part of a broader network of initiatives aimed at meaningful change for children, families, and communities. The state intends for the index to identify areas of opportunity across the state to provide targeted resources and support to enhance the well-being of children and their communities. This report outlines the development process pertaining to the Children's Adversity Index; it also includes final trauma exposure levels for each district community in the state. |
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