This Kids Count data book is the ninth to examine trends in the well-being of Kentucky children, focusing on the transition period of adolescence, based on the view that lessons learned and foundations laid in early adolescence directly impact the transition to adulthood. This statistical portrait is based on trends in indicators of well-being in five areas: (1) demographics, including adolescent death rate; (2) health and safety, including prenatal care, low birth weight, infant mortality, child deaths, child abuse, and child neglect; (3) adolescence, including teen birth rate, juvenile court referrals, and out-of-home placements; (4) education, including grade repetition, dropouts, and successful transitions; and (5) poverty, including food stamp and Medicaid recipients. The introduction discusses the challenges involved in early adolescence; asserts the importance of investing during those years to increase chances for later success; summarizes findings on the indicators for adolescents and for children, and for males and females; and presents recommendations for action. The bulk of the report presents state and county profiles for population trends, adolescent demographics, juvenile justice, teen births, post-high school transition, child well-being trends, and assistance programs. Findings indicate that the teen birth rate has been steadily declining since 1994, although repeat teen births and smoking during pregnancy are still problematic. Males and females committed different types of juvenile offenses, and African American youth were overrepresented in the juvenile justice system. About half of high school graduates are attending college 6 months after graduation. The report concludes with information on definitions and data sources. (KB)