Public News Service

The recommended ratio of school counselors to students is 250 to 1. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Mental health in focus as MD kids head back to school

As kids head back to school, advocates are calling for expanded access to school-based mental health services in Maryland and nationwide. The …

There are more than 800,000 students enrolled in Maryland's 24 local school systems. (Adobe Stock)

Experts remind MD parents to schedule checkups for back to school

As summer winds down, experts are reminding parents about an often-overlooked aspect of back-to-school readiness: an annual health checkup for …

Maryland schools served more than 34 million breakfasts during the 2022-2023 school year. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD schools serving thousands fewer meals post-COVID

The latest Maryland School Breakfast Report finds tens of thousands fewer kids are being served post COVID. The end of pandemic era waivers two …

The initial phase of the Maryland Tutoring Corps Grant Program will reach 80,000 students in the state. (Adobe Stock/AntonioDiaz)

Report: Maryland ranks 22nd nationally in overall child well-being

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has published its annual Kids Count Data Book and the report showed the toll the pandemic took on educational progress…

Some states disenrolled so many children that they had fewer enrolled than prior to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Millions disenrolled from CHIP nationwide

As pandemic-era protections were lifted a new report showed the number of children on Medicaid has varied widely between states, with Maryland doing …

Congress is proposing gradually increasing the federal Child Tax Credit to $2,000 per child in 2025. (AI/Adobe Stock)

Report: MD children doing well overall, racial gaps persist

A new report looking at child well-being finds Maryland doing better than most, but racial disparities persist in the state. The Baltimore-based …

The number of children who were victims of labor trafficking in Maryland and served by state workers grew from 26 in 2019 to 72 in 2021, according to a new survey. (Adobe Stock)

Study calls for changes to address child labor trafficking in MD

A new study recommends state agencies change their methods to address child labor trafficking. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of …

A United Health Foundation report found the number of women's health care providers declined by 7% nationally between 2019 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report ranks Maryland 11th in health of women, children

A new report covering women's and children's health shows Maryland is doing well overall, but some concerning trends have emerged. The 2023 Health …

Baltimore City students can experience hands-on planting at Great Kids Farm. (Adobe Stock)

USDA announces partnership to reform school food procurement

October is National Farm to School Month and the Department of Agriculture has announced a new effort to improve students' access to high-quality food…

Vote 16 USA reported 16- and 17-year-olds turned out at higher rates than older voters. (Adobe Stock)

Some Maryland Communities Lowering Voting Age to 16

Today is National Voter Registration Day and in addition to urging you to check your registration advocates are making the case for lowering the votin…

More than 7 million Americans are receiving Supplemental Security Income. (Adobe Stock)

Social Security Administration Raising Awareness of SSI in Maryland

The Social Security Administration wants to make sure Marylanders know about the Supplemental Security Income program. Supplemental Security Income …

The Annie E. Casey Foundation reported child care workers make less than 98% of all other professions.(Adobe Stock)

Report: Nearly 70K MD Kids May Lose Access to Child Care

Maryland parents may soon have fewer options when it comes to finding child care. At the end of September, federal support for child care will shrink …

The new Kids Count Data Book indicates 54% of 3- and 4-year-olds in Maryland were not enrolled in preschool programs between 2017 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Maryland Ranks 21st for Child Well-being

The new Kids Count Data Book found the child care system still struggling in the wake of the pandemic. The Annie E. Casey Foundation report showed …

Meta has until Aug. 1 to respond to the Federal Trade Commission's blanket prohibition on monetizing data from children under 18. (Adobe Stock)

Unions Taking on Meta at Annual Shareholder Meeting

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, held its annual meeting last week amid new scrutiny from the federal government and multiple …

Placements in foster care group homes have decreased by 13% nationwide since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

Foster Care Report Shows Fewer in System, But Achievement Gaps Remain

A new report covering foster care trends among older children in the U.S. shows some improvements but critical achievement gaps remain. The …

The Williams Institute estimates that 1.3 million U.S. adults identify as transgender. (Adobe Stock)

MD House and Senate Approve Trans Health Equity Act

Both chambers of the Maryland legislature have passed a bill that would require the state's Medicaid program to cover gender affirming care. While …

Estimates indicate 8.6% of children in Maryland will be bereaved by age 18, which is higher than the national average of 7.7%. (Adobe Stock)

Conference in Baltimore to Focus on Childhood Grief

Knowing how to hold space for the grief of children can be complex, but learning how to do it is vital for their well-being. A death in the family …

Experts say school-based grief groups are a good way for grieving students to learn coping skills. (Adobe Stock)

Supporting Students Through the Grief Process

Knowing how to approach the grief of others can be difficult, although things can get more complicated when addressing the grief of students in …

Research suggests observing bullying also can lead to adverse mental-health outcomes. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Bullying Prevention Month Brings Awareness to Victims, Perpetrators

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and experts are reminding Marylanders to be aware of the patterns within bullying. The …

This year, more than 70% of attempts to restrict library resources targeted multiple titles. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland Libraries Call Attention to Censorship During Banned Books Week

Controversial books are nothing new, but the incidence of book challenges and bans has increased substantially in recent years. This week marks the …

More than 1,000 young people were incarcerated in a Maryland youth detention center in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report Reveals Claims of Youth Crime Wave Unfounded

New research has found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from the …

The Sentencing Project report found, despite the number of young people arrested declining over the last 10 years, the number of referred youths who were detained increased slightly. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Youth Incarceration Rates Severely Undercounted

Although youth incarceration rates in the U.S. are on the decline, a report from The Sentencing Project reveals the number of young people being …

Research shows that unaddressed childhood grief and trauma can lead to decreased academic performance, mental-health issues and early mortality. (Adobe Stock)

'No Child Grieves Alone': MD Conference Highlights Bereavement Support

The last two years have been devastating for children during the pandemic, dealing with isolation along with losing loved ones. A conference held in …

Maryland currently does not have a minimum age of prosecution for charging minors with crimes. (Adobe Stock)

MD Bill Would Limit Police Interrogation of Youths without Adult Present

In Maryland, police are not required to call guardians or an attorney before interrogating a young person accused of a crime. A bill making its way …

The People's Commission to Decriminalize Maryland's 2022 legislative priorities hone in on homelessness, poverty, youths, drug policy and bodily autonomy. (Adobe Stock)

MD People's Commission Lists Legislative Priorities for 2022

As Gov. Larry Hogan revealed his proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget in Annapolis yesterday, the People's Commission to Decriminalize Maryland announced …

More than 48,000 foster children live in institutional placements in the U.S., representing 10% of the foster-care population. (Adobe stock)

Report: Stop Using Group Homes for Foster Kids

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Almost 4,000 children in Maryland are in foster care, and a new study calls for ending the use of group homes and institutions …

On a new national report card, Maryland receives a failing grade for not doing enough to help child victims of sex trafficking. Florida, Texas and Mississippi were the top three, respectively, although no state was given an 'A' or 'B' grade. (Adobe Stock)

MD Gets Failing Grade for Supporting Child Sex Victims

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A new report ranks Maryland as one of the worst states in providing support for young victims of sex trafficking. While Maryland …

Maryland's Montgomery County Public Schools has changed School Resource Officers into 'Community Engagement Officers' this year. They're now located offsite, with no direct communications with school officials. (Wikimedia Commons)<br />

Report Shows Benefits of Funding Alternatives to Police in Schools

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Maryland's largest school district removed police officers from the hallways this fall, for the first time in 19 years, and a new …

During the pandemic, more than 20% of U.S. parents with children ages 5-12 reported their children experienced worsened mental or emotional health, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Mental Health in Spotlight as MD K-12 Schools Reopen

BALTIMORE, Md. -- As Maryland children prepare to return to school in the next few weeks, experts say ensuring their mental health is stable is a top …

About 41% of youths in juvenile facilities are Black, according to a new report, despite being only 15% of the youth population in America. (Adobe stock)

Report: Racial Disparities in MD Youth Incarceration Persist

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Although incarceration disparities for Black and white youths fell over the past decade, a new report shows young people of color …

The number of Maryland fourth graders who were not proficient in reading increased to 65% in 2019, according to a new report. (Adobe stock)

Report: MD Lawmakers Need to Keep Spotlight on Child Well-Being

BALTIMORE -- Advocates said Maryland lawmakers need to focus more than ever on helping children, as a new report shows the state dropped from 21st in …

Maryland's General Assembly is considering two bills that would reduce the number of police in public schools. (Adobe stock)

MD Groups Push for Reforms After Police Handcuff, Berate 5-Year-Old

SILVER SPRING, Md. -- Social-justice groups in Maryland's largest jurisdiction are calling on lawmakers to reform policing in schools after the …

The National Alliance on Mental Illness formed a partnership with Instagram to help support the mental health of young people during the pandemic. (Adobe stock)

NAMI Partners with Instagram to Boost Mental Health During COVID-19

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing folks to cope with loneliness, job loss and grief, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is …

The national average of state prison populations that are African-American is 32%, according to a new report. (Adobe iStock)

Report: Maryland Has Largest Black Prison Population in U.S.

BALTIMORE -- While racial disparities in imprisonment in the U.S. have decreased overall, Maryland's is on the rise, according to a new report…

Children and young people are being bombarded with tobacco industry marketing for flavored e-cigarettes. (Adobe stock)

MD Lawmakers Urged to Ban Vaping, Menthol Cigarettes

BALTIMORE – As the number of vaping related illnesses continues to rise, Maryland is looking to join five other states in banning the sale and …

“Judy Centers” Work to Help MD Preschoolers Flourish

BALTIMORE – More low-income preschoolers in the Baltimore area will be ready when kindergarten starts next week because of their time at what ar…

Advocates say teaching the history of LGBTQ rights and disability rights in Maryland schools can help underrepresented students feel more accepted in the classroom. (Manny DaCunha/Adobe Stock)

MD to Teach LGBTQ, Disability Rights History in Schools

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Maryland Department of Education says it is looking to add curriculum that explores the history of the LGBTQ rights and …

Although Maryland ranks 14th overall in the nation for children's well-being, a new report says it still needs federal funds to help address the disparities faced by children of color. (iStockphoto)

MD Children Fare Better Depending on Race

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -– Maryland has seen modest gains in children's well-being since 2010, according to the new Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E…

Historically, child-welfare agencies are least likely to place African-American children with a family, according to data from the Annie E. Casey foundation. (cherylholt Pixabay)

MD Sees Greater Need for Foster Families for Children of Color

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland is making strides to place foster kids in family settings, with a five percentage point improvement over a 10 year …

Children and teens now consume 17% of their calories from added sugars, nearly half of which come from drinks alone, according to the American Heart Association and Academy of Pediatrics. (igorovsyannykov/Pixabay)<br />

Should Sodas, Sugary Drinks Get Taxed More?

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics are endorsing regulations and additional taxes aimed at …

Hundreds of students and teams across the United States and Canada compete in 11 events as part of the Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl. (APPE)

Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Tackles Tough Social Issues

BALTIMORE – It's an event that organizers hope many in Washington, D.C., can watch and learn from. But the ultimate goal of this weekend's …

The most frequently abused opioids are immediate-release drugs, particularly hydrocodone and oxycodone, which also is offered by dentists. (rgerber/Pixabay)

Dentists Look to Reduce Risks of Prescribing Opioids

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Oral health is a key component in fighting the opioid epidemic, and dental professionals and their patients in Maryland are …

According to Moms Clean Air Force, eight coal plants in Maryland have reduced mercury and air toxics as a result of mercury standards (Cathy at Creative Commons)

Moms Call for Protection of Children from Mercury Pollution

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Moms from Washington, D.C. are among those asking elected leaders to think hard about making Andrew Wheeler, a former coal …

The 2018 Maryland Report Card offers public access to more details on measures of success in the state's 1,400 public schools. (Wokandapix/Pixabay)

Are Disparities in MD's Educational Achievement Fixable?

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Achievement gaps persist between students of color and white students, according to a new analysis of Maryland's public schools…

Research shows that young adults who experienced foster care have worse outcomes than their peers in the general population across a variety of spectrums. (AnnieSpratt/Pixabay)

Data Reveals Rough Journey for Maryland's Foster Youths

BALTIMORE – New research uncovers the instability faced by Maryland youths in foster care, and the resulting negative outcomes experienced …

The National Toxicology Program conducted studies in rats and mice to help clarify potential health hazards of cellphones, which are used by 95 percent of American adults. (terimakasih0/Pixabay)

Study: Cellphone Radiation Links to Cancer in Male Rats

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – A federal agency has released the final results of what could be the world's largest and most costly experiment linking cancer …

In Maryland, 59 percent of children of young parents live in low-income families, according to the latest KIDS COUNT policy report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Pixabay)

Report: Challenges Persist for Maryland's Young-Adult Parents

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The sleepless nights and increased costs that come with parenthood can be a rude awakening for anyone, but the challenge is …

Montgomery County Schools began the school year by offering free condoms at four high schools before expanding countywide. (Pixabay)

Montgomery Co. Public Schools Expand Free Condom Program

ROCKVILLE, Md. – After seeing a double-digit surge in chlamydia and gonorrhea, the Montgomery County school board voted unanimously Tuesday to …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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MD: Youth