Definition: Estimated percentage of children ages 12-17 with more and fewer positive childhood experiences (PCEs), by income level and number of PCEs (e.g., in 2024, among California youth ages 12-17 living below their federal poverty threshold, 40.3% had at least six PCEs).
Data Source: Number of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) - Teens: The California Health Interview Survey, 2022-2024. Tabulation by the California Dept. of Public Health, Injury and Violence Prevention Branch (Jun. 2026).
Footnote: The federal poverty threshold was $31,812 for a family of two adults and two children in 2024. This indicator reports on seven positive childhood experiences: Always or most of the time (1) feeling able to talk to family about feelings, (2) feeling supported by family during difficult times, (3) feeling safe and protected by an adult at home, (4) having at least two adults other than parents take genuine interest, (5) feeling supported by friends, (6) feeling a sense of belonging at school, (7) enjoying participating in community traditions. These estimates are based on a survey of the population and are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error. Use data with caution: Estimates are statistically stable within a 30% coefficient of variation but may not meet kidsdata.org's standards for reliability based on margin of error (MOE), which require MOEs of no greater than five (or ten) percentage points at the 95% (or 90%) confidence level. For more information, visit the California Health Interview Survey.
