Children's Issues / Public News Service

Utah is meeting the nationally recommended standard for minimum number of school mental health staff, according to the mental health policy advocacy organization Inseparable. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Report: UT fares well in offering school mental health resources

Utah has made investments in mental health resources for school-age children a priority and they appear to be working to help more kids in crisis…

In Cleveland, more than 90% of homes were built before 1978, the year lead-based paint was banned for residential use. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Cleveland Health Dept says cleaner air starts at home

As Cleveland tightens its air quality standards for the first time since 1977, health officials are urging residents to take simple steps at home to …

Performances at Teatro Visi�n in San Jose are part of the 7th annual Arts, Culture and Creativity Month, a statewide celebration sponsored by the nonprofit California for the Arts. (Christian Pizzirani/Teatro Visi�n).

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Advocates hope to teach CA lawmakers an art lesson

Supporters of the arts are gathering Wednesday in Sacramento for Arts Advocacy Day in order to lobby lawmakers on a range of issues. Educators are …

Colorado's I Matter program can connect students with a therapist for up to six free counseling sessions, which are completely confidential. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Report card: Colorado making improvements in student mental health

Colorado has made significant improvements in connecting young people with the mental health care they need, according to the mental health advocacy …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of all serious mental health conditions begin by the age of 14 and 75% by age 24. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Alaska lawmakers work to improve in-school mental health care

A new report card on in-school mental health services found some states, including Alaska, are making significant progress toward meeting policy …

Illinois was one of the first states to implement annual mental health screenings in schools. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

IL school mental health investments leave gaps in provider ratios

Despite making major policy strides to strengthen school-based mental health services for Illinois students, a national report card showed the state …

Florida is one of 16 states not requiring annual mental health screenings in schools, according to the advocacy group Inseparable. (Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio)

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Report: FL schools face mental-health staffing shortfalls

Florida schools still face critical mental health staffing shortages with less than 25% of needed psychologists in place, despite expanding …

Of the more than 5 million families with young children who pay for child care each year, on average 2.2 million, or about 43%, pay unaffordable rates, according to a Center for American Progress report. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Monday, April 21, 2025

WV child care crisis expected to worsen as lawmakers fail to take action

West Virginia lawmakers continue their inaction on improving access to child care. House Bill 2026 would have allocated $32 million toward child …

Texas House lawmakers passed a proposal for a private school voucher program. Two Republicans joined Democrats in voting against the bill. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 21, 2025

TX private school voucher opponents worry about effect on public schools

The Texas school voucher program is on its way back to the Senate, after it was approved by members of the House of Representatives in an 85 to 63 …

The National Library of Medicine reports that many schools are incorporating mental health awareness into their curricula to reduce stigma and help students recognize and manage emotions. (Rido/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 21, 2025

School mental health report card highlights Michigan’s strengths and gaps

A national report card finds that even with a $150 million budget threat last year, Michigan still made solid progress in staffing up its school …

The Ohio Department of Transportation defines a

Monday, April 21, 2025

OH parents seek tougher sentences for fatal school-zone collisions

Parents of students killed or injured in school-zone crosswalks are backing a measure in the Ohio General Assembly to increase the penalty from a misd…

Nearly 15 states have some sort of program to allow the use of taxpayer money for private school tuition, or support homeschooling options. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 21, 2025

'School choice' funding debate reaches critical stage in ND

North Dakota's legislative session is scheduled to end in May, and the issue of using public funds for what's called school choice remains unresolved…

As of October 2024, approximately 37 million children in the United States were enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This represents about 49% of all U.S. children.<br />(Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Michigan policy expert unpacks impact of proposed Medicaid cuts

According to state data, as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, face cuts, Michigan's most vulnerable stand to lose …

So far, climate change has extended allergy season in Colorado by two additional weeks over historical averages. (Adobe Stock)

Experts offer tips to cope with longer allergy seasons in Colorado

With warming temperatures, allergy season is underway in Colorado and experts are offering tips on how to cope with congestion, inflammation and …

Seasonal or year-round allergies, depending on the allergen, affect up to 60 million people each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Spring brings seasonal allergies for many Kentuckians

Kentucky ranks among the worst states for seasonal allergies from early spring through late fall, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of …

Experts recommend starting allergy medication early to help your body better manage symptoms once pollen season begins. (Adobe Stock)

Allergy season in full swing in Tennessee, tips for relief

Spring has sprung in Tennessee, which means flowers and trees are blooming, pollen is plentiful and allergy sufferers are feeling the itchy effects…

Tree pollen in Louisiana is often from elm, oak, poplar, cypress and maple among others. (Adobe Stock)

New Orleans ranked 2nd among cities with worst seasonal allergies

With temperatures warming, allergy season is underway in Louisiana and experts are offering tips on how to cope. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation …

According to UnitedHealthcare, medical costs associated with pollen allergies exceed $3 billion a year, with nearly half of those costs linked to prescription drugs. (Adobe Stock)

Experts call preparation key to coping with spring allergies in SC

South Carolina may be famous for its oaks, pines and other trees but experts said pollen from those spectacular forests can also make life miserable …

Medical experts said if you know high pollen days are in the forecast, taking medicine before they arrive can help alleviate symptoms. (Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)

Experts: Texans suffer from year-round allergies

Texas is frequently ranked as one of the worst states for seasonal allergies because symptoms can occur year-round. Dr. Miguel Wolbert, president of …

Rates of hunger are rising in Oregon and across the country, with Black and Latino families experiencing food insecurity at nearly double the rate of white households. (Natalie Kiyah, Oregon Food Bank)

Food advocates: extend benefits to all OR children

Each legislative session, Oregon's Joint Ways & Means Committee holds a statewide roadshow to hear from residents about their priorities. At the …

About 259,300 Iowans, or 8% of the state's population, rely on SNAP benefits. A large portion are children, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

SNAP benefit cuts would fall squarely on Iowa kids

Groups working to fight hunger in Iowa say proposed cuts to SNAP benefits would fall squarely on the state's kids, who rely on them for food and …

More than 40% of the 157,000 Nebraskans who receive SNAP benefits are children, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska social justice group pushes back on SNAP changes

The State of Nebraska is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to change which items people are allowed to purchase using Supplemental Nutrition …

National Library Week was first observed in 1958 to celebrate the contributions of the nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. (amaxim/Adobe Stock)

April celebrates the creative combo of libraries, poetry

April is both National Poetry Month and National Library Month, and younger generations are embracing both. The American Library Association says …

In Pennsylvania, the Children's Health Insurance Program provides an option for children to receive health care. However, losing Medicaid coverage would leave many children across the state without insurance and unable to access the care they need. (RomanR/Adobe Stock)

Groups oppose Medicaid cuts threatening coverage for 3 million PA residents

In Pennsylvania and nationwide, federal safety net programs may face major cutbacks as President Donald Trump's administration pushes for budget …

LGBTQ+ youths are nearly four times more likely to be victimized, and are particularly vulnerable to experiencing unwanted sexual advances online. (Adobe Stock)

Research: One in seven Utah children is a victim of sexual abuse

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and new research at Utah State University finds one in seven Utah children experiences sexual abuse --…

The Indiana Department of Child Services evaluates child abuse or neglect reports if the alleged victim is under age 18 and the alleged perpetrator is the victim's parent, guardian or custodian. (Adobe Stock)

IN child abuse cases rise, leave mental, physical scars

More than 7,500 Indiana children were removed from their homes last year because of abuse and neglect. According to The Indiana Youth Institute's 2024…

The majority of book censorship attempts are now originating from organized movements, according to the American Library Association. (Adobe Stock)

NV legislator wants to protect access to books

A bill in the Nevada Legislature would prohibit school districts and staff from banning books without legal justification to brand the material "obsce…

In 2023, the USDA gave Oregon just over $2 million for the federal Farm to School reimbursement grant. Those funds have now been cancelled. (Robert Kneschke/Adobe Stock)

OR hunger-fighting advocates: USDA cuts 'cruel'

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is cutting two federal programs that provide over $1 billion annually to support schools and food banks in …

Residents of rural counties with a large share of tribal lands are more likely to rely on Medicaid for coverage for all age groups, including seniors, according to the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. (Nailotl/Adobe Stock)

Federal budget cuts to Medicaid would significantly impact New Mexico

Nearly 800,000 people receiving Medicaid live in New Mexico, and a federal budget proposal could possibly cause major cuts to the program. Senate …

School vouchers, a program that would allow students to use public money to pay for private school tuition, has become a hot-button issue in Texas, pitting Republicans against one another. (KatMoy/Adobe Stock)

Debate over school vouchers in TX now moves to House floor

After several weeks of public comment, bills addressing school finance in Texas will be presented to the House of Representatives. House Bill 2 is …

Wisconsin was set to receive more than $11 million this year from the Local Food for Schools program and about $5.5 million from the Local Food Purchase Assistance program. (Adobe Stock)

WI schools cancel local farm partnerships due to federal cuts

By Josh Israel for the Wisconsin Independent.Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Wisconsin News Connection reporting for the Wisconsin Indepen…

Immigrants are essential to Pennsylvania's economy, comprising 20% of the workforce in life, physical, and social sciences and 11% in food and accommodation services, according to the American Immigration Council. (InputUX/Adobe Stock)

Unaccompanied immigrant kids in PA lose legal representation

Almost 600 children in Pennsylvania, many fleeing abuse or persecution, are being forced to navigate the immigration court system without legal …

More than 42 million people relied on SNAP benefits to purchase food, as of March 15 2025, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Proposed changes to SNAP funding structure could hurt Kentuckians

As federal funding cuts for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program loom, Kentucky experts said proposed changes to shift funding onto states …

A 2023 CDC study found 72% of transgender students and 69% of questioning students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's new law: What it means for educators, LGBTQ+ students

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

Kyan Higgins Jr, a 10-year-old boy and victim of child abuse who lived in Louisville, Ky. Animal Control officers visited his home 24 times in the 18 months leading up to his death. (Kentucky Youth Advocates)<br />

KY bill would equip animal control officers to spot signs of child abuse

A proposed Kentucky law would require animal control officers statewide to undergo training on identifying and reporting child abuse. Kyan's Law is …

A study by the University of California-San Diego and Tulane University found that as of 2022, intimate-partner violence against women cost California almost $74 billion a year in health care, lost earnings, criminal-justice expenses and survivor support. (Tinnakorn/Adobe Stock)

Prison-based program in CA aims to interrupt cycle of violence

By Ricky Rodas for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Yes! Magazine-Public News Service …

Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and individual states, with each state managing its own program within federal guidelines. (Oleksandre/Adobe Stock)

Nonprofits warn proposed Medicaid cuts could devastate millions of Missourians

About 1.3 million Missourians are currently enrolled in Medicaid and nonprofits around the state have warned proposed federal cuts would be devastatin…

More than 57% of Black women of reproductive age live in states with abortion bans or impending bans, according to polling by In Our Own Voice. (Adobe Stock)

Reproductive justice takes more than passing laws in Ohio, U.S.

By Jade Prévost-Manuel for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News …

Fourth graders in suburban and city schools saw the largest dips in reading scores between 2020 and 2022, and nearly half of Black and Latino fourth graders in Maryland do not read at grade level. (Adobe Stock)

Library funding at risk, even as literacy scores drop

This has been "National March Into Literacy Month" but it may become tougher over the summer to "march" into a public library and ask for help finding…

The Cupp-Patterson plan was originally offered as a bill in the Ohio Legislature, but instead was written into the state budget with a six-year implementation schedule. Full funding of $2 million, and full implementation, must be part of each state budgeting process. (Adobe Stock)

Debate intensifies over major cuts to Ohio's Fair School Funding Plan

At the Ohio Statehouse, proposed budget cuts to the Fair School Funding Plan have sparked debate among lawmakers and educators. Also known as the …

The Indiana Youth Institute said a strong commitment to evidence-based action can transform early literacy in Indiana with the foundational reading skills essential to the future of our children, workforce and communities. (Adobe stock)

Indiana sets goal to boost 3rd grade reading proficiency

Indiana's third grade reading scores show progress but gaps remain. The latest IREAD3 results show about 82% of students passed in 2024, up slightly …

Food banks in New Mexico and across the country were informed Wednesday that federal food shipments meant for distribution to needy residents had been suspended. (rrfb.org)

Federal funding freeze affects NM's food, farms, housing

A federal funding freeze affecting a broad swath of U.S. programs has left many organizations in limbo, with new fallout coming every day. Court …

Proposed federal cuts to Medicaid over the next decade are equal to program spending for 22 million children nationwide, or 76% of children enrolled, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Montana teachers concerned over looming federal Medicaid cuts

The U.S. House of Representatives last month passed a budget resolution that would reduce the federal deficit by $880 billion over the next decade…

Florida's 2025 child labor bills, Senate Bill 918 and House Bill 1225, go further than 2024's House Bill 49, raising new safety concerns. (Pixabay)

Florida child labor bill advances amid exploitation concerns

A Florida bill that would roll back child labor restrictions cleared a Senate panel this week, sparking debate over whether it empowers families or …

According to the Wyoming Department of Education, Farm to School programs grew to include 90% of schools in the state last fall. The program has been cut by the Trump administration. (Adobe Stock)

Cuts to local food programs affect WY schools, food banks, producers

Federal programs supporting local food purchasing by food banks and schools have helped feed communities and support farmers but the Trump administrat…

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reported almost 3% of Hoosier teens age 12-17 abuse pain relievers. (Adobe Stock)

IN teen drug use stats show greater need for early intervention

Hoosier teens are nearly 3% more likely to have used cocaine, methamphetamines or heroin than other teens nationwide, according to the National …

The National School Lunch Program, created in 1946 as part of the National School Lunch Act, provides federal dollars to schools for food purchases. (Adobe Stock)

Co-ops help more KY school districts participate in local produce bidding

School staffing shortages can affect nutrition in Kentucky school districts, as many districts across the state rely on frozen, processed breakfast …

According to the Doula Advisory Group, as of February, 87 of Ohio's 88 counties had no doulas certified under the state's new program. (Adobe Stock)

Doula access in Ohio at risk in Nursing Board certification controversy

Tensions are rising in Ohio between doulas and the state Board of Nursing, as only a small number of doulas have been able to be certified for …

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Children's

Report: UT fares well in offering school mental health resources

Cleveland Health Dept says cleaner air starts at home

Advocates hope to teach CA lawmakers an art lesson

Report card: Colorado making improvements in student mental health

Alaska lawmakers work to improve in-school mental health care

IL school mental health investments leave gaps in provider ratios

Report: FL schools face mental-health staffing shortfalls

WV child care crisis expected to worsen as lawmakers fail to take action

TX private school voucher opponents worry about effect on public schools

School mental health report card highlights Michigan’s strengths and gaps

OH parents seek tougher sentences for fatal school-zone collisions

'School choice' funding debate reaches critical stage in ND

Michigan policy expert unpacks impact of proposed Medicaid cuts

Experts offer tips to cope with longer allergy seasons in Colorado

Spring brings seasonal allergies for many Kentuckians

Allergy season in full swing in Tennessee, tips for relief

New Orleans ranked 2nd among cities with worst seasonal allergies

Experts call preparation key to coping with spring allergies in SC

Experts: Texans suffer from year-round allergies

Food advocates: extend benefits to all OR children

SNAP benefit cuts would fall squarely on Iowa kids

Nebraska social justice group pushes back on SNAP changes

April celebrates the creative combo of libraries, poetry

Groups oppose Medicaid cuts threatening coverage for 3 million PA residents

Research: One in seven Utah children is a victim of sexual abuse

IN child abuse cases rise, leave mental, physical scars

NV legislator wants to protect access to books

OR hunger-fighting advocates: USDA cuts 'cruel'

Federal budget cuts to Medicaid would significantly impact New Mexico

Debate over school vouchers in TX now moves to House floor

WI schools cancel local farm partnerships due to federal cuts

Unaccompanied immigrant kids in PA lose legal representation

Proposed changes to SNAP funding structure could hurt Kentuckians

Ohio's new law: What it means for educators, LGBTQ+ students

KY bill would equip animal control officers to spot signs of child abuse

Prison-based program in CA aims to interrupt cycle of violence

Nonprofits warn proposed Medicaid cuts could devastate millions of Missourians

Reproductive justice takes more than passing laws in Ohio, U.S.

Library funding at risk, even as literacy scores drop

Debate intensifies over major cuts to Ohio's Fair School Funding Plan

Indiana sets goal to boost 3rd grade reading proficiency

Federal funding freeze affects NM's food, farms, housing

Montana teachers concerned over looming federal Medicaid cuts

Florida child labor bill advances amid exploitation concerns

Cuts to local food programs affect WY schools, food banks, producers

IN teen drug use stats show greater need for early intervention

Co-ops help more KY school districts participate in local produce bidding

Doula access in Ohio at risk in Nursing Board certification controversy