Get-out-the-vote advocates in Montana are spending more time and money than ever to get young people educated about the elections and get them to the polls.

In Montana, young voters make up more than a quarter of the electorate. Nationwide, 63% of rural youths -- or about 30 million people -- are either infrequent or uncommitted voters. And of all the country's voter demographics, people younger than 35 are the most undecided. In Montana, young voters make up 28% of the state's electorate, but turn out in lower numbers than older voters.

Kiersten Iwai, executive director of Forward Montana, said organizers are trying to change it by mobilizing voters younger than 35 in small towns and rural areas.

"We are registering voters. We are calling them. We will be knocking on doors," Iwai outlined. "We will be hosting events and candidate forums to really build a lot of energy and excitement."

Iwai noted Montana's sheer size presents obstacles to voting, including for young people. So the Rural Youth Voter Fund is working to bring young people from rural areas together to discuss things such as health care, economic well-being, reproductive rights, climate and education.

Iwai pointed out while it is not something people tend to think of as a problem, young, rural Montanans are also facing a housing shortage which can cause additional obstacles to voting.

"And that's impacting people's abilities to not just live here but also like when they'll get their ballot and if their ballot will actually be mailed to them," Iwai emphasized.

The Rural Democracy Initiative has created an online dashboard to help people determine what "rural" really means. It provides county-by-county data on demographics and other key election issues.

Indiana leaders are working to improve children's lives, as the state's national ranking for child well-being has slipped.

The latest report showed Indiana has fallen from 24th to 27th among states for overall child well-being, with food insecurity emerging as a major concern.

Tami Silverman, president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute, called results in the latest Indiana Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation "mixed," with nearly 20% of kids lacking consistent access to nutritious food, a figure worse than at the peak of the pandemic.

"We need to make sure we're leaning into some of our areas where we have the biggest challenges," Silverman urged. "We rank 32nd in the country for the health of our children, and that's physical and mental health. We're 15th in the country for economic well-being, but we're struggling as far as our kids' health."

Silverman emphasized addressing food insecurity requires focusing on basic needs like stable housing and reliable access to healthy meals. Neighboring states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, face similar challenges.

Another challenge is only 40% of three- and four-year-olds attend early education programs, resulting in learning gaps in language arts, math and other subjects later in school, which worry educators and parents.

Silverman argued such hurdles threaten children's future and demand immediate attention. However, she acknowledged the report also highlighted some bright spots.

"Teen birth rates are down," Silverman noted. "The ratio of dentists and mental health providers that are available for kids have improved. Median family income is on the rise."

Youth advocates are calling on both community leaders and policymakers to address the state's gaps in education and health to build on the progress. Silverman stressed caring for Indiana's children is everyone's job. She urged leaders to do more to push for a healthier, safer future for every child.


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An Alabama Senate committee has approved a bill that would require middle-school students to take a course on conflict resolution before high school. Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, is designed to equip students with skills to de-escalate conflicts-particularly as social media fuels more disputes among young people. Smitherman says too many students turn to violence because they don't know how to handle disagreements.

"I've seen it get to point where folks have guns and do everything just because of that post. They don't have any kind of way of understanding how to deal with conflict resolution so the end result is to grab a gun to do something," he explained.

The bill originally applied to high school students, but after input from the state Department of Education, lawmakers amended it to focus on middle schoolers instead.

The legislation would require public schools to provide instruction in violence prevention, mediation and conflict resolution. The Education Department would be responsible for setting curriculum standards. Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, supports the measure, calling it a proactive step to address school violence at a critical stage.

"What we have found statistically is that in middle school is where we're having the majority of the problems emerging, particularly around seventh grade," he said.

Next week, the committee will hear from experts on social media and cell phone use as lawmakers consider another proposal: banning cell phones in schools and creating a social media safety course.


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Pennsylvania nonprofits are working with teens in foster care to ensure they have the resources they will need to navigate life once they are out of the system.

In Pennsylvania, about 15,000 children are in temporary foster care.

Joseph Birli, CEO of Bethany Children's Home, said they have a congregate care setting to assist those who have been traumatized. He pointed out teens may need emergency shelter if they're at risk for human trafficking. And the staff works with them as they age out of the system.

"Our 18- to 21-year-old population, we do a life skills training for them," Birli explained. "We offer them opportunities to learn about budgeting and caring for themselves so that, as they become citizens and do discharge out of service, that they're going to be somewhat prepared to live on their own."

About 20,000 young people exit foster care each year in the U.S., according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

In Pennsylvania, Birli said 18-year-olds can leave the foster care system but can return if needed until age 21 by contacting their county. He added many do return, after realizing life is tougher than expected.

Kerry Krieger, executive director of Delta Family Services, said they support foster youth through age 21 with a supervised independent living program. Young people live in their own apartments, with the agency covering rent, utilities and stipends. A life skills coach checks in weekly to offer guidance and support, filling the gap when family is not there.

"We use an evidence-based life skills curriculum, so they have to be doing the rules -- not only of the program, but of staying in dependent care -- is that they have to be going to school and/or have a job."

Krieger emphasized the goal is for a young person to leave care with a supportive, unpaid adult connection, but also with some education and job skills, stable housing and access to health care. She added in Pennsylvania, a person 16 or older with a history of foster care can get a tuition waiver they can use at many state or community colleges.


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