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2024/2025 NEEDS ASSESSMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): We observed that nearly 26.3% of high school students in Indian River County report experiencing four or more ACEs, a significant increase from prior years. Common ACEs include parental separation, household substance use, and mental illness. To counter these effects, we recommend expanding family -centered interventions that address ACEs and enhance stability within homes. Child Abuse and Foster Care: While the rate of child abuse among youth aged 5-11 has slightly decreased, it remains higher than the state average. Our findings also indicate an increase in foster care placements, particularly among teenagers. We recommend maintaining robust child protection services and fostering community-based support programs that prevent abuse and address trauma among youth in care. Juvenile Delinquency: The rate of juvenile arrests has increased by 13% with misdemeanor offenses on the rise among middle and high school students, exceeding the Florida statewide average rate. To reverse this trend, we urge increased support for youth mentoring programs, early intervention strategies, and community-based alternatives to traditional disciplinary measures. 3. Success in School & Life The assessment highlights continued challenges in educational readiness and attendance, while pointing to opportunities for strengthening career pathways: • Kindergarten Readiness: Despite some improvement, nearly half of incoming kindergarten students are not fully prepared for school. The data underscores a need for expanded early childhood education programs, particularly in areas with lower rates of school readiness. We recommend prioritizing funding for early learning initiatives that ensure children are equipped to succeed from the start. • Academic Achievement and Attendance: Our analysis indicates that academic performance remains above state averages, yet chronic absenteeism has increased post -pandemic. We recommend targeted attendance interventions, particularly for at -risk student groups, to sustain and enhance these academic gains. • High School Graduation and Career Readiness: Graduation rates continue to exceed state averages, marking five consecutive years of success. However, our findings indicate a need for additional vocational training and partnerships with local businesses to expand career readiness pathways. We recommend developing partnerships with regional employers and trade programs to prepare students for diverse post -graduation opportunities.