Glossary of Indicators
The indicators in this glossary are subdivided by Risk Construct within Risk Index. Data is available for 1994 unless otherwisenoted. Most data are based on county of residence, except NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services arrest data, which is county of arrest, and NYS Education Department data which is county of school.
Urbanicity
Percent Urban. The Census Bureau defines "urban" as consisting of territory, persons, and housing units in places of 2,500 or more persons incorporated as cities, villages, boroughs, and towns, but excluding the rural portions of "extended cities" and other territory, incorporated or unincorporated, included in urbanized areas. Percent urban is therefore the part of the total county population that is in an urban area. (1990 Census).
Population Density. Number of persons per square mile. (1990 Census).
Poverty
Unemployment. Percent of people in the labor force over 16 who were unemployed. (1990 Census).
Median Family Income. Median Family Income is the income level at which 50% of families are above and 50% of families are below. (Department of Labor, 1995 estimate).
Couple-Headed Families in Poverty. Couple-Headed families in poverty as a proportion of all Couple-Headed Families. (1990 Census).
Male-Headed Families in Poverty. Male-Headed families in poverty as a proportion of all Male-Headed Families. (1990 Census).
Female-Headed Families in Poverty. Female-Headed families in poverty as a proportion of all Female-Headed Families. (1990 Census).
Children in Poverty. Children under 18 living in poverty, per 10,000 youth 0-17 years old. (1990 Census).
AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) Applications. Annual number of applications for assistance received and disposed of, rated per 10,000 population. (NYS Department of Social Services Statistical Supplements to the Annual Report).
Food Stamp Applications. Annual number of applications received and disposed of, rated per 10,000 population. (NYS Department of Social Services).
Medicaid Applications. Annual number of applications for assistance received and disposed of, rated per 10,000 population. (NYS Department of Social Services).
Violence
Violent Arrests. Arrests for violent crimes per 10,000 population. Violent crimes consist of the offenses of murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) Data).
Intentional Injury and Injury Intent Unknown. Hospital Discharge Diagnoses: ICD-9 codes E960-969 and E980-989 per 10,000 population.. (NYS Department of Health Statewide Planning And Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) Data).
Homicide. The homicide rate is calculated using mortality data on homicides and deaths due to injury with intent unknown, per 10,000 population. (NYS Department of Health).
Crime
Property Crime Arrests. Arrests for burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft, per 10,000 population. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, UCR Data).
Other Arrests. Arrests for negligent manslaughter, arson, kidnaping, dangerous weapons, bribery, sex offenses (except forcible rape or prostitution), extortion, forgery and counterfeiting, promoting prostitution, prostitution, patronizing prostitution, buying receiving or possessing stolen property, coercion, criminal mischief (vandalism), fraud, gambling-bookmaking, gambling-numbers & lottery, gambling-other, offenses against public order, embezzlement, simple assault, offenses against family, unauthorized use of vehicle, possession of burglars tools, disorderly conduct, loitering (vagrancy), all other offenses not included above, per 10,000 total population. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, UCR).
Alcohol Accessibility
DWI Alcohol Arrests. Arrests for driving while intoxicated, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, UCR Data).
Intoxicated Persons Involved in Automobile Accidents. Adult persons who were intoxicated and involved in an automobile accident (driver, passenger, pedestrian), per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Department of Motor Vehicles).
Off-Premise Retail Beer Outlets. Beer and wine cooler outlets, per 10,000 total population. (Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, NYS Liquor Authority).
Off-Premise Retail Liquor Outlets. Liquor and wine outlets, per 10,000 total population. (Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, NYS Liquor Authority).
On-Premise All Outlets. All outlets selling beer, wine or liquor on premises, per 10,000 total population. (Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, NYS Liquor Authority).
Adult Alcohol Health/Treatment
Alcohol Hospital Discharge Diagnoses. ICD-9 codes 265.2, 291, 303.0, 303.9, 305.0, 425.5, 571.0-571.3, and 571.5, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Department of Health SPARCS Data)
Alcohol-Related Deaths. ICD-9 codes 265.2, 291, 303, 305, 425.5, 571.0-571.3, and 571.5: Alcoholic fatty liver, Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis, Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver, Alcoholic Liver Damage, unspecified, Cirrhosis of the liver without mention of alcohol, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Department of Health SPARCS Data)
OASAS Alcohol Treatment. The number of clients 21 years old and older who were in treatment at some time during the year with the only substance of abuse at admission being alcohol, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services).
Adult Probation - Alcohol
Probation Cases: Use at Offense. The number of individuals on probation where there was evidence of alcohol use at the time of offense, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
Probation Cases: Court Mandates. The number of individuals on probation who were mandated by the courts to undergo alcohol testing, to abstain from using alcohol, or to enter treatment for alcohol, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
Adult Drug Indicators
Drug Arrests. Arrests for use, possession or sale of drugs, or public narcotic intoxication, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, UCR Data).
DUI Drug Arrests. Arrests for driving under the influence of drugs, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, UCR Data).
Drug-Related Hospital Discharge Diagnoses. Hospital discharge diagnoses related to drug use, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. ICD-9 Codes 292.0-292.9 and 304.0-304.9 and 305.2-305.8. (NYS Department of Health SPARCS Data).
OASAS Drug Treatment. The number of clients who were in treatment at some time during the year with the only substance of abuse at admission being drugs, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services).
Probation Cases: Use at Offense. The number of individuals on probation where there was evidence of drug use at the time of offense, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
Probation Cases: Court Mandates. The number of individuals on probation who were mandated by the courts to undergo drug testing, to abstain from using drugs, or to enter treatment for drugs ,per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
Mental Health AOD Indications. Diagnoses of Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse or Alcohol related organic mental disorder, or an alcohol or drug disability indicated, per 10,000 adults 21 and older. (NYS Office of Mental Health 1993 Patient Characteristics Survey).
Intrapersonal Problems
Emotionally Disturbed Students. A student with an inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors and who exhibits characteristics outlined in The Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, Subchapter P, Part 200-Students With Disabilities, Section 200.1 (mm) (4) i-iv. The term does not include socially maladjusted students unless it is determined that they are emotionally disturbed. Rated per 10,000 youth 5-20. (NYS Education Department)
AOD-Related Mental Health Diagnoses. Sum of OMH diagnoses thought to be related to AOD use/abuse for youth 0-20. Diagnoses include Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety (Child), Schizophrenia/Schizophreniform/Schizoaffective disorders, Depression/Dysthymia, Bipolar Disorder, Personality and other Impulse disorders and Adjustment Disorder. Rated per 10,000 youth 0-20. (NYS Office of Mental Health 1993 Patient Characteristics Survey).
Family Dysfunction
Foster Care Admissions. The number of children under 18 years old who were admitted to foster care during the calendar year, per 10,000 youth 0-17 years old. (NYS Department of Social Services).
Children in Foster Care. The number of children under 18 years old who were in foster care at the end of the year, per 10,000 youth 0-17 years old. (NYS Department of Social Services).
Preventive Services Openings. Preventive services are those supportive and rehabilitative services provided to children and their families in accordance with the provisions of Part 423 of DSS regulations for the purpose of: averting a disruption of a family which will or could result in placement of a child in foster care; enabling a child who has been placed in foster care to return to his or her family at an earlier time than would otherwise be possible; or reducing the likelihood that a child who has been discharged from foster care would return to such care. Openings are the number of children with a Mandated Preventive Services case opened in the calendar year. Children with more than one case opened during the year are only counted once. Rated per 10,000 youth 0-17. (NYS Department of Social Services.)
CPS Indicated Cases. Number of child abuse/maltreatment reports that were accepted in the calendar year and indicated by March of the following year as defined by Article 6, Title 6, Section 412 of Social Services Law. Rated per 10,000 youth 0-17. (NYS Department of Social Services).
CPS Reports - Mandated. Number of child abuse/maltreatment reports received during the calendar year with a mandated reporter as the source of the report, per 10,000 youth 0-17. (NYS Department of Social Services).
CPS Reports - Total Received. Number of child abuse/maltreatment reports received during the calendar year, per 10,000 youth 0-17. (NYS Department of Social Services).
Dissolutions of Marriage. Annual number of dissolutions of marriage per 10,000 currently married (estimated). The currently married estimate is based on the total number of estimated intact marriages at the beginning of the year plus the number of marriages during that year. (NYS Vital Statistics, 1993).
Academic Failure
3rd Grade Reading % Below SRP. The Pupil Evaluation Program (PEP) tests are the primary measures of students performance in grades 3 through 6 in NYS. Students demonstrate attainment of basic competencies (reading comprehension, writing and mathematics) by scoring above the State Reference Point (SRP). The SRP is set by the State Education Department in conjunction with input from the public. The SRP signifies the lowest score a student can receive and still be making satisfactory progress in developing the basic skills that the tests are intended to measure. Students scoring below the SRP receive remediation. PEP tests results are reported by the county in which the school is located, not according to the student's county of residence. Data presented here are for public schools only. (NYS Education Department)
3rd Grade Math - % Below SRP. (See 3rd Grade Reading % Below SRP).
4th Grade Science -Content. Mean score on the Content section of the 4th grade Program Evaluation Test (PET).
4th Grade Science -Skills . Mean score on the Skills section of the 4th grade PET.
4th Grade Science -Manipulative Skills . Mean score on the Manipulative Skills section of the 4th grade PET.
5th Grade Writing - % Below SRP. (See 3rd Grade Reading % Below SRP).
6th Grade Reading - % Below SRP. (See 3rd Grade Reading % Below SRP).
6th Grade Math - % Below SRP. (See 3rd Grade Reading % Below SRP).
School Conduct
% Average Daily Absenteeism. This is calculated by dividing the average daily amount of absenteeism by the possible average daily attendance. (NYS Education Department)
% Students Suspended. Percent of enrolled public school students who received at least one day of out-of-school suspension during the year. (NYS Education Department)
School Separation
% High School Dropout. The dropout rate represents the percent of grade 9-12 enrollment who left school prior to graduation for any reason except death and who did not enter any other school, alternative high school equivalency program or other diploma program. Rates are reported for public schools only. (NYS Education Department)
% High School Graduates Not Attending College. Percent of students not attending college the year after they graduate from High School. (NYS Education Department)
% Non-Regents Diplomas. NYS students who receive a high school diploma may also receive a Regents-endorsed diploma. To receive a Regents-endorsed diploma, students must have passed a series of Regent-examinations, demonstrating a certain level of achievement, in addition to passing the prescribed course work. The percentage of students not receiving Regents diplomas is calculated by dividing the total number of graduates not receiving a Regents diploma by the total number of graduates. Data is presented for public schools only. (NYS Education Department).
Problem Behavior-Delinquency
Violent Crime Arrests. Arrests of youth age 10-20 for violent crimes. Violent crimes consist of the offenses of murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Uniform Crime Reports Data).
Property Crime Arrests. Arrests of youth age 10-20 for property crimes. Property crimes consist of the offenses of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Uniform Crime Reports Data).
Other Arrests (non AOD). Arrests of youth age 10-20 for crimes other than violent, property or AOD (see Other Arrests in the Community Risk Index Crime Construct for list of offenses included). (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, Uniform Crime Reports Data).
Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) Cases Opened. A person less than 16 years of age who does not attend school in violation of education law, or who is incorrigible, ungovernable or habitually disobedient and beyond the lawful control of parent or other lawful authority or who unlawfully possesses marijuana can be considered a Person In Need of Supervision (PINS). This represents the number of cases opened during the year, per 10,000 youth 7-15. ( NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
PINS Total Served. Total number of PINS individuals served during the year, per 10,000 youth 7-15. (NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
DFY - Total in Care. Youth in Division For Youth (DFY) care per 10,000 youth 7-20. The Division provides financial and program support for community development and delinquency prevention efforts, care and custody of court-adjudicated youth, habilitation and treatment to prepare youth for positive roles in society, and program development and innovation to provide more effective services to youth. (NYS Division For Youth Annual Reports).
Problem Behavior Sexuality
Teenage Pregnancy. Annual number of pregnancies, per 10,000 girls 10-19. (NYS Vital Statistics, 1993).
Teenage Abortions. Induced abortions, per 10,000 girls 10-19. (NYS Vital Statistics, 1993).
Hospital Discharge Diagnoses of STDs. Hospital Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, per 10,000 youth 10-20. (NYS Department of Health SPARCS Data).
Alcohol Consequences
DWI Arrests. Youth arrested for driving while intoxicated, per 10,000 youth 16-20. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, UCR Data).
Intoxicated Youth Involved in Auto Accidents. Youths who were intoxicated and involved in an automobile accident (driver, passenger, pedestrian), per 10,000 youth 16-20. (NYS Department of Motor Vehicles).
Probation Cases: Use at Offense. The number of individuals on probation where there was evidence of alcohol use at the time of offense, per 10,000 youth 16-20. ( NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
Probation Cases: Court Mandates. The number of individuals on probation who were mandated by the courts to undergo alcohol testing, to abstain from using alcohol, or to enter treatment for alcohol, per 10,000 youth 16-20. ( NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
OASAS Alcohol Treatment. The number of clients who were in treatment at some time during the year with the only substance of abuse at admission being alcohol, per 10,000 youth 12-20. (NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services).
Drug Consequences
Drug Arrests. Arrests for use, possession or sale of drugs, public narcotic intoxication or DUI, per 10,000 youth 10-20. (NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, UCR Data).
Drug-Related Hospital Diagnoses. Hospital discharge diagnosis related to drug use, per 10,000 youth 10-20. ICD-9 Codes 292.0-292.9 and 304.2-304.9 and 305.2-305.8. ( NYS Department of Health SPARCS Data).
Probation Cases: Use at Offense. The number of individuals on probation where there was evidence of drug use at the time of offense, per 10,000 youth 16-20. (NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
Probation Cases: Court Mandates. The number of individuals on probation who were mandated by the courts to undergo drug testing, to abstain from using drugs, or to enter treatment for drugs, per 10,000 youth 16-20. (NYS Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives).
OASAS Drug Treatment. The number of clients who were in treatment at some time during the year with drugs as the substance of abuse at admission and no alcohol abuse per 10,000 youth 12-20. ( NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services)