Despite a recent policy victory, Wisconsin labor leaders still express concern about the current environment for shielding young teens from unsafe work environments.
Gov. Tony Evers this month vetoed a bill which would have expanded the elimination of required work permits for those younger than 18. The bill's language applied to 14- and 15-year-olds, several years after the state did away with parental permission for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Stephanie Bloomingdale, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, said the recent debates are policy fights advocates thought they won decades ago when minors often worked in dangerous conditions. She cautioned there is a strong push to chip away at protections.
"We are seeing a growing movement from different, unscrupulous employers that want to put kids back in the workplace, and not have the kind of oversight that is needed," Bloomingdale contended.
The Economic Policy Institute said rollbacks have been approved in a dozen states in the past few years. While current efforts are thwarted in Wisconsin, Bloomingdale worries about similar debates in future sessions.
Meanwhile, violations are trending upward, with the U.S. Labor Department reporting an 83% increase in financial penalties. Backers of the Wisconsin bill said the goal was to reduce red tape for families.
Bloomingdale countered taking away another layer of protection does more to trample on the rights of parents and guardians. And with higher consumer prices placing more pressure on household budgets, she added some kids might feel the need to bring in additional income.
She emphasized the current law helps the whole family make an informed decision.
"It's important for kids to get a good work ethic," Bloomingdale acknowledged. "But at the same time, these kids need to make sure that they are getting enough sleep, that they are able to participate in their school, and really making sure that balance is there."
The Economic Policy Institute report showed amid the push in many states to weaken laws, several other states have advanced bills to strengthen protections. There have been bipartisan bills in Congress which, among other things, would crack down on violators.
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Today is National Brush Day and experts across Kentucky are reminding residents to brush their teeth twice a day, floss, avoid smoking, and especially for pregnant women and children, make an appointment for a cleaning and checkup with a dentist.
Julie Smith, registered dental hygienist and director of dental services for Cumberland Family Medical Center, which provides preventive and restorative oral health for more than a dozen school districts in the region, said without the program, most children would go the entire school year without seeing a dentist.
"It is not uncommon for us to see students who tell us they've never had a toothbrush or they've never had a toothbrush of their own because their entire family shares a toothbrush," Smith explained. "It's not uncommon to meet a child who says, 'When I am at one parent's house I have a toothbrush, but I don't have a toothbrush at the other parent's house.'"
The Kentucky Oral Health Coalition has launched a new series of free oral health materials for communities, dental offices, schools, libraries and other locations.
Dr. Jill Keaton, professor and dean of the Tanner College of Dental Medicine at the University of Pikeville and a member of the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition, said the new resources include information on dental insurance, and oral health tips for pregnancy, children, older adults, and people with substance use disorders.
"I love the fact that these resources are free and something that dentists or dental hygienists, dental assistants can print on their own and then distribute to patients or even other stakeholders," Keaton emphasized.
Smith advised as children have bags full of Halloween candy, it's important not to let them keep it in their rooms or have constant access to sugar, which causes tooth decay.
"Instead, keep it somewhere that maybe they get a couple of treats at meal time after their meal when it's going to do a lot less damage," Smith recommended. "Make the candy last."
According to a 2023 report by the University of Kentucky's Center for Excellence in Rural Health, the Commonwealth ranks ninth among states for oral cancer rates, and fifth in the percentage of adults with tooth extractions.
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Pennsylvania is facing what children's advocacy groups call a historic child care crisis, leaving thousands of young children without access to early learning programs.
A new report estimates Pennsylvania loses $6.65 billion annually when families do not have child care and preschool options.
Kari King, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said the report examines the policies on child care and pre-K, and highlights workforce challenges affecting many families with young children.
"Both in terms of parents and families in the workforce, and the need for child care to be able for parents to work," King outlined. "We know in the report, just over 70% of families with children currently have both parents or caregivers in the workforce."
In his latest budget proposal, Gov. Josh Shapiro addresses some of the workforce challenges with a $17.7 million boost to early childhood education. $15 million is proposed for Pre-K Counts and $2.7 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance, investments he said are crucial for working parents' economic stability.
King pointed out Pennsylvania child care workers earn just over $15 an hour, or less than many retail jobs, and half of pre-K programs are delivered through child care centers. But some centers struggle to attract and keep qualified staff.
King observed the wage gap leaves some centers with not enough revenue to pay competitive salaries and keep care affordable.
"That's where we've seen there's been quite an impact since the pandemic, with quite a few programs that have actually closed their doors," King noted. "Over 600 child care providers have been lost since right before the pandemic. So, I think you're seeing a lot of those businesses again in that untenable situation."
The report pointed out pre-K teachers in Pennsylvania earn annual salaries about half those of kindergarten teachers. One recommendation is to provide pay for pre-K teachers on a par with elementary school educators.
Disclosure: Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children/Kids Count contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Early Childhood Education, Education, and Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
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Advocates for children in New Hampshire said the state needs elected officials who will put kids' futures first.
With biennial budget negotiations to begin next year, they said access to quality early education, school meals and services are all on the line this election.
Megan Brabec, New Hampshire state manager for the Save the Children Action Network, said children cannot vote but they are on the ballot.
"It's really important that we have Senators and representatives that are aware of these issues," Brabec stressed. "That are prioritizing these issues and recognize the role for government in addressing these issues."
Brabec pointed out with child care for two children younger than five now topping $30,000 a year, too many children are forced to go without the early education known to improve their long-term outcomes.
A bipartisan mix of candidates is offering solutions, including the establishment of universal Pre-K to ensure all kids start kindergarten on the same footing. Others want to simplify eligibility for free or reduced-price meals using Medicaid data or create a state fund to finance early educator recruitment and retention.
Ella Bender, a child advocate and student at the University of New Hampshire, has been registering voters and encouraging them to think of future generations.
"We want students to know that the power is in their hands to vote for officials in the state of New Hampshire that are going to put children's needs first," Bender emphasized.
Bender argued every child in New Hampshire deserves a quality education and to have their basic needs met.
A recent Save the Children Action Network survey found a majority of likely voters across the United States feel more favorable about a political candidate who supports greater investments in child care or programs to relieve food insecurity.
Disclosure: Save the Children contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Early Childhood Education, Education, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
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