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The death toll from Hurricane Helene tops 200 as search and rescue efforts continue in North Carolina, community health centers in Florida struggle to serve patients as storm recovery strains resources, a new program offers Ohio residents relief from medical debt and voter advocacy groups say poor maintenance has led to inaccurate voter rolls in Indiana.

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Cheap milk comes at a cost for residents of Washington's Lower Yakima Valley, Indigenous language learning is promoted in Wisconsin as experts warn half the world's languages face extinction, and Montana's public lands are going to the dogs!

Report: Nevada struggles to improve child well-being standards

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Wednesday, June 12, 2024   

Plummeting reading and math scores could prove to be a significant barrier for Nevada children, especially as they head into the workforce.

This year's Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked Nevada 47th for overall child well-being.

Tara Raines, director of Kids Count initiatives for the Children's Advocacy Alliance of Nevada, called the situation "bleak." More than 40% of Nevada children have had adverse childhood experiences which can consist of things like abuse, neglect, housing instability and food insecurity.

Raines pointed out such experiences can hinder a child's ability to learn as they can drive down school attendance. She added almost half of Nevada children are chronically absent.

"We know that there are reports that say children who have parents who are homeowners are less likely to be chronically absent; they've got higher student achievement," Raines emphasized. "Many of these things hinge on those basic needs."

Raines encouraged policymakers to examine the state's unique eviction practices as well as think about ways to ensure more accessibility to affordable homes. She stressed the state should also take advantage of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, authorized through pandemic-era relief bills, which can help jump-start new initiatives. The deadline to allocate funds is Sept. 30.

Raines encouraged the state to look at alternatives to punitive programs for students who may be chronically absent. She noted Clark County has been able to employ what she called a more positive approach but still considered it just one piece of the puzzle.

"I think the other things that they really have to focus on is making sure that schools are welcoming, and foster engagement and belonging for children and families," Raines outlined. "And that they acknowledge the impact that trauma from these adverse childhood experiences is having on student behaviors, student learning."

The report showed Nevada had fewer children in poverty as well as being in homes where the household head lacked a high school diploma.

Leslie Boissiere, vice president of external affairs for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said while the pandemic may be one of the main factors responsible for declining mental health among youth, the same cannot be said for the country's worsening educational outcomes. She noted experts have been sounding the alarm for years.

"For example the pandemic erased decades of increases in math scores," Boissiere acknowledged. "However, if you look over those 35 years that we've produced the Data Book we've never seen a significant percentage of children who were either proficient in fourth grade reading or basic math."

Disclosure: The Annie E. Casey Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Education, Juvenile Justice, and Welfare Reform. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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