Youth 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)

Monday, December 30, 2024

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)

Monday, December 30, 2024

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

As of August, enrollment in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System had reached 66,114 students, representing an increase of 8.4%, according to state data. (Adobe Stock/AI generated image)

KY Community and Technical College System plans major changes

Nearly a dozen changes could be made to the Kentucky Community and Technical College system, under Senate Joint Resolution 179, passed by lawmakers …

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 …

Nearly two in five students experienced food insecurity in a survey of Washington state postsecondary students. (Mauricio Toro/Adobe Stock)

Hunger concerns on WA postsecondary campuses as holidays approach

Hunger is an issue for many students on Washington state's postsecondary campuses this holiday season. A survey of nearly 10,000 students in …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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…

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 …

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of full-time undergraduate students and 74% of part-time undergraduates were employed while enrolled, with many working over 20 hours per week to cover living expenses. (jaz_online/Adobe Stock)

OH students fight for fair, livable on-campus wages

By Hevin Wilkey / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Ohio students are …

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…

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 …

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…

The Green Hill School juvenile facility in Chehalis, Wash., keeps young adults age 17 to 25. (dcyf.wa.gov)

Parents of children in WA prisons face 'unbearable' holiday season

The holiday season is a difficult time of year for families with children in Washington's youth detention centers. Families have limited access to …

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…

In 2021, there were 72% fewer detention admissions of youths on delinquency charges across the country than in 2005. Still, Wyoming incarcerates youth at a much higher rate than any other state in the nation. (Adobe Stock)

WY has highest rate of juvenile incarceration, rejects federal funding to help

Wyoming has the nation's highest rate of juvenile incarceration, and is one of only two states refusing federal funds to help. In 2021, nearly 270 …

Hoosiers must first file the FAFSA to access nearly all forms of financial aid for college. (Adobe stock)

Many Hoosiers still confused about paying for college

Indiana families see value in higher education, but many are still confused about how to pay for it. A new survey by INvestEd, a nonprofit based in …

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 …

Almost half of LGBTQ+ youths aged 13-17 faced bullying in the past year and those who did were significantly more likely to attempt suicide compared with those who were not bullied, according to a Trevor Project survey. (Andrii Zastrozhnov/Adobe Stock)

TN awaits decision in case on gender-affirming care for trans youth

A Supreme Court decision in U.S. v. Skrmetti, challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors, is expected by mid-2025. Since 2021…

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 …

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 …

New Breed of Youth (New B.O.Y.) and Inner Beauty, based in Indianapolis, offer character-building programs for youth. (Adobe stock)

Indiana mentoring programs spread holiday cheer

By Melea VanOstrand for WISH-TV.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Servi…

About 13 million people live in higher education

Rural WV students’ choices shrink as colleges slash majors

By Jon Marcus, Brianna Atkinson, Molly Minta and Amy Morona for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News …

Some Connecticut justice organizations want the state to raise the age of arrest from 10 to 14, and get young people out of adult facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: CT, U.S. need to enact legal system reforms in 2025

Advocates feel Connecticut and the nation can enact legal system reforms in 2025, ranging from ways to more humanely treat incarcerated people to …

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…

David Bintz' brother, Robert Bintz, was also released from prison this year and was represented by the Great North Innocence Project. (Adobe Stock)

WI Innocence Project victories point to systemic problem in justice system

The Wisconsin Innocence Project is ending the year with some key victories including helping with the release of two men who each spent decades in pri…

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 …

For the 2023-2024 school year, Tennessee awarded nearly $577 million through 16 scholarship programs for public and select private two- and four-year colleges and universities. (Adobe Stock)

College cost still a major hurdle for Tennessee students

A new report from The Sycamore Institute reveals the persistent challenge of college affordability in Tennessee. Despite state and federal aid …

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 …

ALICE families say while wages have increased, it hasn't been enough to keep up with inflation and is sometimes hard to put food on the table. (Konstantin Yuganov/Adobe Stock)

'ALICE at Work' on paycheck-to-paycheck struggle

By Wesley Brown for the Arkansas Delta Informer.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Delta Informer-Wi…

The Annie E. Casey Foundation says in tracking programs that prepare older foster-care kids for adulthood, states inconsistently document participation, which can complicate efforts to ensure they're getting the services they need. (Freepik)

U.S. hits quarter-century mark focusing on kids 'aging out' of foster care

This month marks the 25th anniversary of a federal law designed to give states flexibility in helping older kids transition out of foster care…

From 2010 to 2020, the American Indian and Alaska Native in combination population increased by 160%, according to the US Census. (Adobe Stock)

The term 'Indigenous' grows in popularity among AZ Native youth

A new survey of Native American teens and young adults highlights a growing preference for the term "Indigenous" rather than being referred to as "Ame…

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