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Among teens using social media, 54% said it would be at least somewhat hard to give up, while 46% said it would be somewhat easy, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Expert wants oversight of social media giants amid declining teen mental health

Earlier this year, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford took legal action against five of the biggest social media platforms, claiming they have no …

A report from the Albert Shanker Institute recommended states narrow adequacy gaps by targeting additional state aid to higher-poverty districts with less capacity to raise revenue locally. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NV school districts among most inadequately funded

A new report found 39 states devote a smaller share of their economies to their K-12 public schools than they did in 2006. Nevada is among 10 states …

Around 42% of incarcerated youths are Black, even though Black Americans are only 15% of all youths across the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Racial disparities persist in youth incarceration

New data released by The Sentencing Project reveals youths of color continue to face disproportionate incarceration rates compared with their white pe…

More than half of Hispanic students said in the past six months, they had considered stopping their coursework for at least one term. (Adobe Stock)

NV Latino student shares experience with leaving college; he's not the only one

Matthew Gonzales is from Washoe County and was studying business at the University of Nevada, Reno. After enrolling in August 2022, he was in his …

Nevada's bullying laws do not apply to children in pre-kindergarten or to incidents that occur from one adult to another adult in a school setting, according to the Nevada Department of Education. (Adobe Stock)

NV father speaks out against bullying of special-needs son

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and one Nevada father is speaking out after his special-needs son endured a traumatic incident…

Only 23% of high school students in the United States currently have guaranteed access to financial literacy courses, according to Next Gen Personal Finance. (Adobe Stock)

Financial Literacy Requirements Become Law in NV, Free Classes Complement

A bill passed during Nevada's last legislative session requires Nevada students in public high schools to learn about economics and financial literacy…

Some 80% of female Hispanic voters between ages 18 and 29 voted as Democrats in 2022. That number is 89% for African American women of the same age range. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Young Voters Crucial for Upcoming Elections

Vice President Kamala Harris is set to embark soon on a month-long college tour that includes the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, according …

Alrededor del 80% de las votantes hispanos entre 18 y 29 a�os votaron como dem�cratas en 2022. Esa cifra es del 89% para las mujeres afroamericanas del mismo rango de edad. (Adobe)

Expertos: Jóvenes votantes cruciales para próximas elecciones

La Casa Blanca dice que la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris se embarcará pronto en una gira universitaria de un mes de duración que incluye el C…

School screenings provide less than 4% of the information generated during a comprehensive eye exam, according to the American Optometric Association. (Adobe Stock)

Is Eye Exam on Your Back-to-School List? One NV Dr. Says It Should Be

One Nevada pediatric ophthalmologist said eye exams should be on everyone's to-do list as kids head back to school. The American Optometric …

On a scale of 1-10, Gen Z'ers said COVID-19 has affected their physical health (4 of 10) and their mental health (6 of 10), according to the Linus Report. (Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Care: A Top Priority for Gen Z

Research on social trends shows emotional and mental health is at the core of Gen Z's identity. The Pew Research Center considers anyone born after …

According to Mental Health America, more than 18% of the U.S. population is Latinx/Hispanic. Of those, more than 16% reported having a mental illness in the last year. (Adobe Stock)

Nevada Program Helps Hispanic Youths with Mental Health

A free 12-week program is aiming to help Hispanic youths and their families in the Vegas Valley achieve better mental health. Familia Adelante…

According to the U.S. Census, Latinos make up an estimated 30% of the state's population. (Adobe Stock)

NV Advocates React to Lombardo's Veto of HOPE Act

Senate Bill 419 was one of many bills vetoed by Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo. The bill, also known as the HOPE Act, would have expanded Medicaid …

In the 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Nevada ranks 46th in education, 38th in health, and 44th in family and community factors that affect children. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nevada Near Bottom of List for Children's Well-Being

Nevada is not making the cut when it comes to children's well-being in the state. According to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, out this week…

States will have until May 2024 to complete the task of reconfirming eligibility for more than 34.2 children who receive their health coverage through Medicaid programs. (Adobe Stock)

NV Can Prevent Post-Pandemic Rebound in Uninsured Kids

Nevada could see a rebound of children losing their health insurance as a federal requirement that kept families insured during the pandemic comes to …

Los estados tendr�n hasta mayo de 2024 para completar la tarea de llevar a cabo la elegibilidad de m�s de 34.2 ni�os inscritos en Medicaid. (Adobe Stock)

NV puede prevenir el repunte pospandémico en niños no asegurados

Nevada podría ver un repunte de niños que pierden su seguro médico a medida que finaliza el requisito federal que los mantuvo a ellos y…

For the 2021-2022 school year, Communities in Schools served 75,697 K-12 students in the state of Nevada. (Adobe Stock)

NV Nonprofit Celebrates 94% Grad Rate for Students in Program

A Nevada nonprofit is celebrating a 94% graduation rate among its high school seniors for the 2021-2022 school year. Tami Hance-Lehr. CEO and state …

Experts say Nevada suffers from a huge shortage of pediatric behavioral-health specialists, which makes it difficult for youths in crisis to get help. (SeventyFour)

NV Makes Gains But Remains Near Bottom on Kids’ Well-Being

Nevada ranks 47th in the country for child well-being, according to the 2022 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, but the numbers …

Supporters of the right to abortion care rallied in Las Vegas on Friday to protest the Supreme Court Decision. (Shelbie Swartz/Battle Born Progress)

Nevada Group Helps Abortion Seekers Travel to State

Nevada may become a magnet for abortion seekers from around the country, since the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to ban …

Nevada has made progress in promoting restorative justice rather than youth incarceration. As of mid-June, the Nevada Department of Child and Family Services had 121 youths in custody. (Arloo/Adobe Stock)

Post-Pandemic Youth Crime Wave is a Myth: Report

A new report from The Sentencing Project debunks the myth of a post-pandemic crime wave fueled by young people. In March, Congress held a hearing …

The University of Nevada Las Vegas is the biggest Hispanic Serving Institution in Nevada, and ranks 108 on the Economic Mobility Index. (Stan Shebs/Wikimedia Commons)

Ranking Colleges: Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Economic Mobility

Higher-education experts are promoting a new way to rank colleges and universities, proposing an Economic Mobility Index (EMI) measuring whether the …

Two-year schools such as Truckee Meadows Community College have partnerships with local employers to offer coursework in fields that are in demand. (Nevada System of Higher Education)

Nevada Colleges Look to Attract More Students after Pandemic Enrollment Drop

Nevada colleges, especially two-year institutions, are working overtime to attract more students this fall, in the wake of a big drop in enrollment …

According to the Northern Nevada Dental Health Programs, eight in 10 Nevada children suffer from untreated tooth decay. (Zinkevych/Adobestock)

Tips for a Healthy Smile During Children's Dental Health Month

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and dentists are asking Nevada parents to take a few minutes to supervise their kids' brushing …

Experts say parents can reduce kids' dependency on screens by setting a good example themselves and arranging more outdoor family activities.(TheVisualsYouNeed/AdobeStock)

New Year's Resolution: Reducing Kids’ Screen Time

Some families make New Year's Resolutions to cut down on screen time, and experts have some tips for actually getting your kids to put down the cell …

Report: Group Homes for Foster Kids Should Be Phased Out

CARSON CITY, Nev. - More than 3,000 children in Nevada are in foster care - and a recent study recommends that much more be done to keep them in …

A new report found child poverty decreased 26% between 2013 and 2019. (Endho/Pixabay)

Report: NV Struggling on Mental Health, Infant Mortality

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Infant mortality went up 18% in Nevada in the years immediately preceding the pandemic, one of the topline findings of a new …

Congress passed Savanna's Act in 2020 to improve data collection on cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women. (Sonyachny/Adobe Stock)

NV Summit Highlights Missing, Murdered Indigenous Women

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Today, a virtual summit hosted by the Las Vegas Mayor's Faith Initiative looks at the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous …

A new report finds that Nevada needs to develop family support programs within the community.(Vejaa/Adobestock)

Nevada Gets a D+ for Children's Mental Health: Report

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Nevada scored a D-plus for children's mental health, according to a new report from the Children's Advocacy Alliance. …

Nevada is seeing multiple efforts to reduce racial disparities among kids who are arrested or incarcerated, and a new report says it's working. (Connie Mills/Youth Villages)

NV Makes Progress Reducing Racial Disparities for Youth Behind Bars

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Nevada is closing the racial gap among young people behind bars, according to a new report from The Sentencing Project. The …

Married couples with children under 18 who make up to $150,000 per year will qualify for the new, extended federal Child Tax Credit. (Jessica Shamout)

First Federal Child Tax Credit Funds Go Out Today

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- The first payments from the extended Child Tax Credit will hit most families' bank accounts today, providing much-needed relief …

New data show Nevada cut its teen birth rate almost in half between 2010 and 2019. However, key indicators on poverty and education got worse. (Wordley Calvo Stock/Adobe Stock)

Report: NV Among Hardest Hit in Pandemic

CARSON CITY, Nev. - A new report finds Nevada's children suffered more during the pandemic than those in many other states - and that small gains in …

Clark County School District data show distance learning has been difficult for students, with higher rates of absenteeism and failing grades during the pandemic. (Shangaray/Adobe Stock)

NV Teachers Back Standards for Distance Learning

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Even as more Nevada kids are heading back to their on-campus classrooms, public-education advocates are calling on school …

The Biden administration is trying to remove barriers to the reunification of families separated at the border by the prior administration. (Rico Best/Adobestock)

Feds to Allow Some Separated Immigrant Families to Reunite in U.S.

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Human-rights advocates are applauding a new Biden administration policy to allow children who remain in U.S. custody after being …

According to a new survey, 92% of Americans agree that deductibles should be low enough to not get in the way of a person's access to health care. (DoubletreeStudio/Adobe Stock)

Survey Confirms Frustration with Healthcare Costs

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- A new survey shows most Americans are worried about out-of-pocket healthcare costs - deductibles, premiums and co-pays, and …

Children's mental-health-related visits to the emergency room have increased since April. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Parents, Teachers Urged to Learn Signs of Teen Mental-Health Crisis

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- As the spread of the coronavirus continues, behavioral-health experts say it's as important as ever to make sure children and …

A new initiative seeks to help youths aging out of foster care make a plan to attend post-secondary education or join the workforce. (terovesalainen/Adobe Stock)

New Initiative Supports NV Foster Youth Aging Out of Care

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Groups are partnering with the Children's Advocacy Alliance to launch a new initiative connecting youths in foster care with the …

Nearly a third of households with children nationally reported struggling with mental health, feeling down, depressed or hopeless. (goodluz/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Hits NV Families with Kids Especially Hard

CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Many Nevada kids and their families are struggling with health care coverage, mental health, housing and hunger due to the …

Nevada is home to more than 12,000 DACA recipients, and more than 250,000 Nevadans live with at least one undocumented person. (Wikimedia Commons)

Presidential Transition Key for Nevada's DACA Recipients

LAS VEGAS -- More than 12,000 Nevadans are protected by DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and President-elect Joe Biden has …

A record 32 million people who identify as Latino will be eligible to vote in the 2020 presidential election, according to the Pew Research Center. (fairvote.org)

Nevada's Demographic Shifts Could Shape Election Outcomes

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Mobilizing young voters is a challenge even without a pandemic, but a Nevada grassroots group is taking advantage of changing …

Nevada reduced its percentage of teens who were not in school and not working, from 15% in 2010 to 9% in 2018, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, but the data was collected prior to COVID-19. (nastya_gepp/Pixabay)

Nevada Inches Up on Child Well-Being, But Still Ranks 46th Nationwide

LAS VEGAS -- Child well-being in Nevada saw small improvements in a new report, but still ranks 46th overall compared with other states -- and that's …

State officials say as many as 70% of the adolescents in Nevada's juvenile justice system have a mental health disorder. (centerforhealthjournalsim.org)

Study: COVID-19 Reduces Numbers of Youth Incarcerated

LAS VEGAS -- As the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S. last month, the number of young people in local secure detention centers fell by 24%…

Advocates for foster children say school performance is too often an afterthought in placement hearings. (Voices Youth Center/Mitchell Findley)

Foster Care Advocates Press for Greater Focus on Education

LAS VEGAS – Truancy rates are high and graduation rates are low – especially for Nevada's 4,200 children in foster care – and child …

Between 30% and 40% of foster children have individual education plans and need an adult's consent to receive special services at school. (Jmiltenburg/Morguefile)

NV Volunteers Needed to Oversee Educational Needs of Foster Kids

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Legal aid groups are searching for a special group of volunteers to advocate for foster kids within the school system…

Activists are preparing their signs for the Global Climate Strike events on Friday. (Eymhy Corpus)

NV Students to Join International Climate Protest on Friday

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Hundreds of Nevada high school students are expected to walk out of class at 10 a.m. Friday as part of an international day of …

Nevada is one of 16 states that now places more than 90 percent of foster children in family settings. (Mitchell Findley)

More Nevada Foster Kids Finding Families

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Foster children in Nevada are finding new families more often these days, with the rate of family placements improving by …

The U.S, Senate is set to take up a DACA proposal as part of the Republican bill to end the shutdown, but opponents say it doesn't go far enough. (Kathrin Tausch/Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Call for Immigration Reform as Senate Votes on Shutdown, DACA

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Groups that advocate for the so-called Dreamers are pushing for comprehensive immigration reform as the U.S. Senate is set …

A new report shows that instability in the individual health insurance market is a big reason why Nevada children are losing coverage. (Shawn 1/Pixabay)

NV Children Uninsured Rate Worsens - First Time in Almost a Decade

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Almost a decade's worth of progress on getting Nevada's children insured has come to a halt – and has even begun to …

About 9 percent of young adults in Nevada age 18-24 have children. (Epiphonicaton/Flickr)

Young Parents in Nevada Face Barriers to Education, Employment

CARSON CITY, Nev. — About 29,000 children in Nevada have parents who are between the ages of 18 and 24. A new report from the Annie E. Casey …

The Children's Attorneys Project formed in 1999 to provide counsel, advice and representation to abused and neglected children, and now works to ensure all foster children are represented. (Patrick Feller/Flickr)

NV Foster Children Deserve Representation in Court

LAS VEGAS — The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada wants to find attorneys for every Clark County child in foster care. The group says in …

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NV: Youth