Politicians are debating the value of preschool education, and it’s worthwhile to consider its value as compared with its cost. A recent report, however, reminds us that there’s more to worry about when it comes to Iowa’s children.

“Iowa Kids Count 2009,” produced annually by Iowa Kids Count, contains some encouraging news, such as a decline in teen deaths and a decline in teen unmarried births; however, there’s also plenty of bad news, demanding a response.

In 2009, reported child abuse and neglect increased 35 percent compared with 2000. In that decade, the number of children living in poverty increased 32 percent.

Food assistance went up 140 percent, and free or reduced-price lunch eligibility rose 29 percent.

In Wapello County, 60 percent of the children from birth to age 4 lived in families receiving services through the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) in 2009.

In Marshall County, 52 percent of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.

Here in Polk County, we’ve seen improvement in child abuse rates and child deaths, but a sharp drop in immunization; in 2008, just 66 percent of children had been fully immunized by the age of 2.

Polk’s child poverty level had climbed to 13 percent in 2008, and in 2009, 24 percent of the children aged 4 and under were in the WIC program.

We’re letting our youngest citizens down in several ways, whether we send them to preschool or not.

Central Iowa does a wonderful job of donating to charity, but clearly there are lingering and even worsening issues that need more attention. Individuals can help by volunteering their time and expertise.

Companies can help by picking one particular issue to focus on. Give employees paid time away from the office to work with charities or develop a targeted fund-raising effort.

Politicians have to joust about policies and money, but some problems just can’t wait for politics.