Children's Issues / Public News Service

Alabama's maternal mortality rate is 36.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is more than double the national average of 17.4. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Alabama Arise prepares to tackle poverty, health issues in 2025

With the 2025 legislative session around the corner, the nonprofit advocacy group Alabama Arise said it plans to take aim at poverty and systemic …

From 2016 to 2023, an estimated 1.8 million toy-related injuries for all ages were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments, an average of 226,300 injuries per year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Zarya Maxim/Adobe Stock)

Medical, legal experts warn parents about dangers of toys this holiday season

Utah trauma surgeons are wanting parents to be vigilant about the dangers toys with magnets or button batteries can pose, after they've seen several …

Earlier this year, Governor Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Department of Education announced the allocation of $6 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds for Nevada's Read by Grade 3 program. (Adobe Stock)

Literacy rate among NV students improves but still lags

Nevada education experts say literacy rates are improving, but aren't where they should be. Nevada's third- through eighth-grade students have …

Standards for toy safety are enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Parents have options to report unsafe holiday toys

The National Retail Federation expects people will spend nearly $989 billion by year's end on holiday shopping but the costs cannot compare to an inju…

Olive, a poodle mix, has comforted more than 300 kids in Missouri's court system. (Photo courtesy of Therapy Paws)

Once homeless, MO dog is now a children's book star

A Missouri-based therapy dog has an inspiring journey that began as a homeless stray on the streets of Los Angeles. Olive, a ten-pound poodle mix…

Between 2021 and 2023, Consumer Product Safety Commission staff received reports of 40 toy-related deaths among children 14 and younger. Flotation toys, bouncy balls and other balls were most frequently implicated. (Adobe Stock)

Pennsylvania parents warned to check kids' toys for safety

The National Retail Federation expects shoppers will have spent nearly $989 billion in November and December for holiday gift-giving. Unfortunately…

The Virginia Child Protection Accountability System, accessible on the Virginia Department of Social Services website, provides public information on the agency's response to reports of child abuse and neglect. (Adobe Stock)

Concerns over CPS overreporting spark calls for change

CORRECTION: The number of reports to Virginia Child Protective Services that are found to include abuse or neglect is just under 3,000. An earlier …

Data from the Children's Law Center of California show half of all kids in foster care have endured four or more adverse childhood experiences. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)<br />

Foster care system celebrates 25 years of progress

California has more than 60,000 children in the foster care system and about 7,000 in extended care up to age 21 but many do not receive all the servi…

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported child deaths have attributed to a wide variety of toys including bouncy balls, stuffed animals, plastic toys and crayons. (Adobe Stock)

Now that they're unwrapped, be sure to monitor flawed toys

The National Retail Federation expects people will spend nearly $989 billion by the end of the year on holiday shopping but the costs cannot compare t…

New Mexico joined more than a dozen other states in 2023 offering child tax credits meant to boost economic security. (courtesy New Mexico Voices for Children)

Report: Tax credits shrink poverty for NM's kids, families

Child tax credits offer a financial lifeline to parents and can lift children out of poverty, according to a report from New Mexico's Voices for …

In 2024, there were 1,990 successful diversions of South Dakota youth from courts and detention, according to the state's Juvenile Justice Oversight Council. Of that total, 449 attempts were considered unsuccessful. (Adobe Stock)

A year of growth for juvenile diversion programs in SD

Nearly 2,000 South Dakota juveniles were successfully diverted from the state's court system this year, according to a new report. A 2024 law has …

A 2021 United Federation of Teachers survey finds 68% of teachers don't have time to teach climate change, but 52% teach it for one to two hours per year. (Adobe Stock)

NYS Board of Regents allocates funding for climate education

New York's Board of Regents approved a Department of Education funding request for climate education. The board is putting more than $536,000 aside …

Critics argue Florida's book removals limit access to important information. At the same time, state officials insist they ensure only age-appropriate materials remain in schools, rejecting claims of outright bans as a

FL parents raise concerns over changes to health lessons

Recent changes to Florida's education laws have removed information on consent, contraceptives and prenatal development from many health lessons at …

Six million U.S. students attend a school where there is a School Resource Officer but no school psychologist on staff, according to a Brookings Institution report. (Adobe Stock)

WV schools funnel more kids into juvenile justice system

West Virginia schools' reliance on zero-tolerance policies are driving more kids into the juvenile justice system - with lifelong consequences…

Millions of families across the U.S. depend on home-based child care, with over 750,000 children enrolled in these programs, often because parents consider them more flexible than traditional child care centers. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama joins national effort to expand pre-K access

Alabama is part of a national program aimed at diversifying early childhood education. The Enriching Public Pre-K Through Inclusion of Family Child …

Durham takes part in national effort to expand pre-K access

A North Carolina city is part of a national program aimed at diversifying early childhood education. The Enriching Public Pre-K Through Inclusion of …

An Indianapolic Public Schools report indicates transportation is provided for all elementary, middle and high school students who live between one and one and a half miles from their assigned school. (Adobe Stock)

IN school bus hurdles linked to education outcomes

School bus transportation challenges are impacting one central Indiana community. Long ride times are more than an inconvenience, according to an …

A coalition pushing for universal school meals in North Dakota says nearly half of food-insecure children do not qualify for federal nutrition programs, leaving thousands without access to free breakfast and lunch at school. (Adobe Stock)

Food insecurity prompts ND advocates to eye universal school meals

North Dakota is expected to rejoin the debate over whether all school children, regardless of their family income, should have access to no-cost …

Empowerment Scholarship Account vouchers will cost the state $825,000,000 in fiscal year 2024, according to Save Our Schools Arizona. (Adobe Stock)

Skepticism about 'auto-approval' of Arizona ESA reimbursements

This month, an Arizona grand jury indicted two out-of-state residents for cheating the state's Empowerment Scholarship Account program out of more …

As of October, SNAP benefit levels and income limits have increased. A household of up to 10 people is now eligible to receive up to $2,196, with a maximum gross monthly income of $10,584. (fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Impact of Trump's proposed budget cuts cited for Pennsylvanians

As President-elect Donald Trump takes office, federal safety net programs such as Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP, which support 85 million low-income …

In July, Florida removed certain employment restrictions for minors 16 and 17 years of age. (Adobe Stock)

Child labor in agriculture: A growing concern in Florida

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborati…

SNAP recipients currently receive as little as $23 per month to purchase food, and the average SNAP benefit is just $6 a day. (Adobe Stock)

SNAP funding in question as Congress works to avoid shutdown

Congressional efforts to avoid a government shutdown could extend funding for SNAP, the program formerly known as food stamps. And if the continuing …

The work of GreenLatinos Texas, centers around empowering frontline environmental justice and conservation advocates. Members are actively engaging with local communities to understand their campaign goals and identify areas where support is needed. (Photo courtesy of Green Latinos)

TX group works to give Latinos seat at table in fight against methane

Members of the environmental nonprofit GreenLatinos are involved in a push to get more Latinos across Texas involved in the fight against methane gas…

Alabama spends less per pupil than the national average but allocates a similar percentage of taxpayers' personal income to K-12 education. The state ranks 39th in education funding and 41st in per-student spending. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

Advocates push to modernize Alabama’s school funding formula

Alabama is one of six states still using The Foundation Program to calculate aid to schools, which uses a formula focused on the number of students …

The Doula Alliance of Arkansas (DAR) was formed with help from a $250,000 grant from Ingeborg Initiatives, a group seeking to improve maternal health. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Doula Alliance of AR works to improve maternal health

Birth doulas across Arkansas have formed a new organization to improve maternal health care across the state and help pass legislation they hope will …

Five years ago, a video shocked the nation of 6-year-old Kaia Rolle being arrested at her Orlando, Fla., school because she had thrown a tantrum earlier in the morning. (Adobe Stock)

From classroom to courtroom: The human cost of school-to-prison pipeline

When a 6-year-old girl in Florida had a temper tantrum in class, it seemed like a typical childhood moment. But instead of calming the situation…

Despite strong federal regulations governing child labor, some states, such as Iowa, have weakened protections in order to compensate for what industries say is a labor shortage. (Creative Commons)

Worker shortage pushes Iowa employers to hire children for dangerous jobs

A conflict between federal child labor regulations and those passed by the Iowa Legislature has increased the number of businesses fined for hiring ch…

A report from the Child Health and Development Institute found 74% of kids were discharged after completing treatment through Connecticut's Mobile Crisis Intervention Services. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT mobile crisis services aids child mental health system

A new report found Connecticut's Mobile Crisis Intervention Services are improving. The Child Health and Development Institute report showed more …

In 2022, 13% of children in foster care spent three or four years in the system, and 7% spent five or more years in foster care, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Scott Griessel/Adobe Stock)

Hope for kids aging out of foster care in MO

Nonprofits are offering hope for foster care kids who age out of the system without permanent family connections. As of June, more than 11,000 …

A new study found children who lose family members to overdose often suffer long-term harm to educational attainment, economic stability in adulthood, and mental well-being. (Irena_geo/Adobe Stock)<br />

USC study: More than 1.4 million children have lost family to overdose

A new study found more than 1.4 million children in the U.S., including many in California, have lost a family member to overdose, emphasizing the …

Colorado's Community Food Grants are expected to create economic benefits for local economies, much like SNAP benefits that add $1.50 for every dollar invested. (Adobe Stock)

Nearly 90 food banks, pantries across Colorado get $2,611,500

Colorado is distributing over $2.6 million to food banks and pantries to ensure that the state's one in seven children facing hunger can access nutrit…

According to Lawsuit Information Center, as of November 2024, at least 660 lawsuits have been filed by former inmates alleging they were sexually abused by staff while housed at the former Arthur J. Audy detention center. (Adobe Stock)

New IL legislation removes barriers for children of sexual abuse

Childhood sexual abuse survivors will benefit from amendments to legislation pending in the Illinois Senate. House Bill 222 would revise three …

Tooth decay affects nearly half of U.S. children, according to research from the National Institutes of Health. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky sees soaring child dental decay rates

Dental decay rates for Kentucky children age 2-5 are far higher than the national average, according to new data from the University of Kentucky's …

More than 390,000 children nationwide are in foster care, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

UT sees fewer foster families, less support for UT kids aging out of system

Nonprofits working with foster care kids want them to know services are available to help them navigate life once they are out of the system…

Even amid a national push by Republican policymakers for school choice, including vouchers, voters in some conservative heavy states this fall rejected the idea at the ballot box. Policy experts say they also drum up constitutional issues. (Adobe Stock)

Will ND expand school choice? If so, what would it look like?

North Dakota students will soon be on holiday break. When they return, state lawmakers are expected to debate giving families financial support …

Ohio ranked 26th in the nation for per-pupil K-12 education funding in 2024, slightly below the national average. With a higher proportion of charter schools than many states and mixed performance outcomes, state policies often focus on addressing disparities and improving results in both. (Adobe Stock)

Standardized test scores at center of Ohio education debate

Ohioans are paying close attention to the fast-tracking of Senate Bill 295 through the Statehouse during the lame-duck session. The proposed …

New York State is allocating $35.3 billion in total school aid, an $825 million increase from 2024. It also includes a $507 million increase in foundation aid. (Adobe Stock)

Study charts updates needed for NYS school funding formula

A new study provides New York State with an outline of necessary updates to its school funding formula. The Rockefeller Institute study called for …

Approximately 400,000 children and youths are in foster care in the United States at any given time. <br />(IdeaBug Inc./Adobe Stock)

Support available for MI youths aging out of foster care

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, more than 10,000 children are in the state's foster care system, with about 1,000 …

More Texans than ever have signed up for health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act, with more than one in nine residents covered under government-subsidized health plans.<br />(C Davids/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Cuts to ACA, Medicaid, CHIP could affect millions of Texans

More than 3 million Texans could be affected if changes are made to the Affordable Care Act. During the 2024 campaign, President-elect Donald Trump …

The total number of children in foster care has decreased annually since 2017. (ibreakstock/Adobe Stock)

Support available for AR kids aging out of foster care

Nonprofits working with foster care children want them to know services are available to help them navigate life once they are out of the system…

A USDA analysis showed every dollar spent on SNAP benefits generates $1.50 to $1.80 in local economic activity during downturns. (Tatiana/Adobe Stock)

MO launches summer food aid for kids relying on school meals

Missouri has stepped up to fight childhood hunger by providing food aid over the summer for kids who rely on school meals for nutrition. The U.S…

The Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program helps 40 million people put food on the table every month. (Adobe Stock)

NY, U.S. could see big effects from Trump’s proposed budget cuts

New York could see major effects from President-elect Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's Department of Government …

Researchers said common barriers faced by Native American children include lack of culturally relevant curriculum in their educational settings. A Minnesota grant program helps community organizations expand such teachings within their tribal areas. (Adobe Stock)

Five years in, MN program creates improved pathways for Native kids

Five years ago, Minnesota established a program to bolster well-being metrics for children of color and young Native American kids. Today, fund …

If the STORK Act is passed, Ohio would join states such as Georgia, which already allow tax deductions for unborn children, a policy enacted in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s STORK Act: Tax relief for parents or a push against abortion rights?

By Vanessa Davidson / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio Rep. Gary …

The orange bag inside the Safe Haven Baby Boxes includes information on trafficking and Safe Haven registry resources. The mothers also have the option to send back identity, ethnicity and medical information for the child if they wish. (Save Haven Baby Boxes)

Expansion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes across Mississippi counties underway

Advocates said Mississippi is taking a big step toward infant safety with the expansion of Safe Haven Baby Boxes in the state. Nationwide, more than …

Nearly half of children in the United States are covered by Medicaid. (michaeljung/Adobe Stock)

Budget cuts may jeopardize health programs for millions in California

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, federal health programs affecting 85 million low-income Americans, including more than 12 …

Support staff like school bus drivers help Washington state schools run. (teamjackson/Adobe Stock)

As concerns in WA schools mount, staff calls for greater investments

Staff members who support schools are calling for greater investment from Washington state. As next year's legislative session approaches, wages …

According to the American Library Association, the rate of book titles targeted for censorship in public libraries spiked 92% between 2022 and 2023. In school libraries, there was an 11% increase. (Adobe Stock)

SD libraries face future of stricter policies, slashed budgets

South Dakota librarians are implementing new policies for young readers in the new year and they are expecting future challenges, with the governor's …

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