Family/Father Issues / Public News Service

An Annie E. Casey Foundation report finds the number of kids entering foster care because of neglect increased from 29% in 2006 to 48% in 2021. But, the report finds fewer kids entered foster care because of behavioral issues during the same period. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Report: More Support Needed for VA Foster Kids

A recent report finds foster kids in Virginia and the U.S. need better support to transition out of the foster-care system. The Annie E. Casey …

According to the Children's Collaborative for Healing and Support, between 2017 and 2021, more than 5 million children nationally experienced the death of a parent. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

UT Pilot Program Aims to Support Grieving Kids

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined the Children's Collaborative for Healing and Support last week to announce a pilot program in the state designed to …

Former Kentucky foster youth Tia Humphrey now helps advocate for policies that help ensure young people leaving foster care are off to a good start as they enter adulthood. (Tia Humphrey)<br /><br />

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

KY Foster Youth Transitioning into Adulthood Face Resources Gap

Kentucky's former foster youth have a steeper climb into adulthood than their peers, according to new research. Among 21-year-olds with foster-care …

More than 60% of rural counties lack a psychiatrist, and almost half do not have a psychologist, compared with 27% and 19% of urban counties, respectively. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Addressing Challenges to Behavioral Health Care in Rural Wyoming

A new report spotlights some of the challenges to accessing behavioral health care for the one in seven Americans who live in rural areas. Kendall …

The New Mexico Legislature passed a bill this year to provide free IDs for individuals experiencing homelessness. (Seventyfour/AdobeStock)

Study: New Mexico Homelessness Up Nearly 50% in 2023

Rent for New Mexicans has increased 70% since 2017, while wages have only grown by 15%, which is one factor pushing more people into homelessness…

A 2023 AARP report finds Connecticut's 420,000 unpaid family caregivers in Connecticut provided care valued at $7.2 billion in 2021. Nationally, these caregivers provided over $600 billion in care during the same period. (Adobe Stock)

CT Unpaid Family Caregivers Working In Strained Conditions

The ongoing healthcare workforce shortage in Connecticut and across the U.S. is straining unpaid family caregivers. A 2023 AARP report finds they …

According to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report, the number of youths in foster care has declined steadily since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights Need for Extended Transition Services for Older Youths

Teenagers and young adults in the foster care system in North Carolina and throughout the nation are not receiving sufficient services to successfully…

At the end of 2022, there were 4,524 Arkansas children in foster care, a decrease of 7% from the previous year, according to the State of Arkansas House of Representatives.<br />(Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

Helping Arkansas Foster Youth Succeed as Adults

May is National Foster Care Month and in Arkansas, the number of foster youths near adulthood has dropped slightly, according to a new report…

Fewer than half of transition-age young people received one or more of the federally funded foster-care services meant to prepare them for success as adults between 2013 and 2021, according to a report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fewer Youth Transition Out of MA Foster Care System

The number of children transitioning out of the foster care system has dropped significantly in Massachusetts, according to a new report. The number …

In addition to preschool investments, Smart Start Illinois includes $12 million for scholarships and internships to expand the childcare workforce. (junce11/Adobe Stock)

More Illinois Toddlers Head for 'Smart Start' in Early Education

Researchers say a lot of learning begins even before birth - and especially between birth and age five. Gov. JB Pritzker's "Smart Start Illinois" …

An Annie E. Casey Foundation report showed 55% of youth age 21 in Tennessee in 2021 were employed part-time or full-time, and 63% had stable housing. (LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/AdobeStock)

Report: TN Shows Strength in Foster Youth Transitioning To Adulthood

In Tennessee, the number of foster youths near adulthood has dropped slightly, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation looked at …

If left unchecked, and without access to medications, chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can turn into complications such as diabetic neuropathy and coronary vascular disease. (Adobe Stock)

Critical Medicines Closer to West Denver Metro Residents

After 18 months of planning and renovations, STRIDE community health center has opened its second pharmacy inside the Wheat Ridge clinic at 29th St…

Kinship-care placements with relatives and close friends increased from 14% in 2006 to 22% in 2021 according to the Fostering in Youth Transitions 2023 report. (Pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Report: Older Foster Youths Lean Toward Higher Ed

Children who stay in foster care beyond age 18 are likely to pursue higher education, according to the Fostering in Youth Transitions 2023 report by …

More Washington youths were in foster care on their 19th birthday in 2021 than in 2015. (Dind's_Project/Adobe Stock)

Report Examines Foster Youths' Transitions to Adulthood

The number of foster youths near adulthood has dropped slightly in Washington state, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation …

Community action agencies help families with housing assistance in Massachusetts, where a critical shortage of affordable rental homes often forces low-income households to forgo other necessities<br />such as healthy food and medical care to pay the rent. (Adobe Stock)

Community Action Month Honors Agencies Across Commonwealth

Community action agencies in the Commonwealth are working with state lawmakers to ensure funding of their work to alleviate poverty continues…

Ohio resident and former foster youth Kurt Holden beat the odds, graduating from college and receiving his master's degree. (Kurt Holden)

College-Bound Ohio Foster Youths Face Barriers Accessing Resources

Foster youths transitioning to adulthood are being left behind when it comes to college degree attainment and resources. New data from the Annie E…

Placements in foster care group homes have decreased by 13% nationwide since 2006. (Adobe Stock)

Foster Care Report Shows Fewer in System, But Achievement Gaps Remain

A new report covering foster care trends among older children in the U.S. shows some improvements but critical achievement gaps remain. The …

Even prior to the racial reckoning, Minnesota was known for its disparities, including child development outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Faces Key Decision on Program to Reduce Child-Development Disparities

A few years ago, Minnesota launched a pilot program to give communities of color more power to improve outcomes for child development as they …

Minnesota is poised to join nearly a dozen other states that have paid leave programs. Minnesota's plan would not be required for employers that have their own plans bigger than the one proposed. (Adobe Stock)

MN Paid-Leave Backers: Workers, Families Closer to Crucial Benefit

Minnesotans are learning more about a statewide paid leave plan, which cleared a major legislative hurdle this week. Groups tracking the …

A new training program developed by the High Plains Research Network Community Advisory Council is helping community members intervene and prevent suicides in rural areas across Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado's Rural Communities Mobilizing to Prevent Suicide

Community advisory committees across rural Colorado are working to better understand the mental-health needs for community members including farmers…

A new report finds that as of 2020, fewer than half of children left foster care to live with adoptive families or guardians or return to their birth families. (Bangkok Click Studio/Adobestock)

Too Many Kids Age Out of Foster Care Without a Permanent Family

A new report shows the number of people between the ages 14 to 21 in the foster-care system has dropped by about half over a 15-year period - and th…

Studies have shown that while Minnesota has an overall healthy population, there are glaring health disparities. That has prompted efforts to help racial and ethnic groups have equal access to necessities, in hopes of boosting health outcomes. (Adobe Stock)

MN Steps Outside Doctor's Office to Improve Health Outcomes

Research keeps emerging about social determinants of health, including a new study linking these factors to suicide risks. In Minnesota, nonprofits …

A new Annie E. Casey Foundation report found a 35% increase in the number of kids in Wyoming entering foster care due to abuse. (Adobe Stock)

Helping Wyoming Foster Youths Succeed as Adults

The number of Wyoming children in foster care between the ages of 14 and 21 has dropped by 54% over the past two decades, according to a new Annie E…

Statistics show one in seven Californians experiences mental illness. The California Parent & Youth Helpline is there to help, seven days a week. (PheelingsMedia/Adobestock)

CA Parent, Youth Helpline Wins Grant to Continue for 2 More Years

Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month in May - the California Department of Social Services has provided a new grant to continue the Californ…

Elementary students who spend more than two hours a day on screens are more likely to have emotional, social and attention problems, while students who have screens in their bedrooms tend to perform worse on academic tests than do those who do not. (Adobe Stock)

Screen-Free Week Challenges Families to Power Down, Reconnect

Starting today, families throughout Massachusetts will swap their digital entertainment for the annual challenge of "Screen-Free Week." The global …

According to an Annie E. Casey Foundation report, Utah saw a 9% increase in child population from 2010 to 2020. (Robert Kneschke / Adobe Stock)

Report: UT Sees Child Population Increase Despite National Decline

A new report found the population of children recorded in 2020 was 1.1 million fewer than in 2010. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

The scholarship initiative was created with the Colorado Department of Higher Education to increase the attainment of postsecondary credentials and degrees for underserved students in Colorado. (Adobe Stock)

CO Scholarship Initiative Invests in Students Experiencing Homelessness

More than 15,000 students in Colorado have experienced homelessness, and a new grant from the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative will help …

Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows Massachusetts has four counties in the top 20 list of most expensive places for child care, including Middlesex and Norfolk counties, where families pay more than $26,000 annually in child care expenses. (Adobe Stock)

MA Bill Would Let Candidates Use Campaign Funds for Child Care

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill to allow candidates seeking state or local office to use campaign funds for child care. Child care is …

In Maine, an estimated 92% of abortions occur by the 12th week of pregnancy, with nearly 70% occurring before nine weeks. Abortions at or after 21 weeks are rare, representing 1% of abortions in the U.S. (Adobe Stock)

ME Medical Community Reaffirms Support for Abortion Medication

Maine's medical community is applauding the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to preserve access to the abortion medication mifepristone. The justices …

Robbin and Steve Brydges adopted their two boys, Dawson and Dalton, to keep them together. They encourage others to explore the benefits of adoption. (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

'Have an Open Mind' Among Tips for Successful Adoption

Over the past decade, 1,000 Florida children in foster care now have permanent homes, thanks to a program focused on placing older kids who typically …

Around 2.5 million children in the United States live in a household with their grandparents, according to the website Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Updates to KY Benefits Program 'KTAP' Aim to Help Family Caregivers

New changes to Kentucky's temporary benefits program - known as KTAP - increase the amount of money families receive to keep pace with inflation…

Animal protection groups say warning signs of pet maltreatment can include dogs or cats left in yards chained up, looking dirty and in need of food and water. (Adobe Stock)

Animal Cruelty Awareness Month: Family Violence Warning Signs

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, and Wisconsinites are urged to be aware of how family violence can affect pets - as well as the need …

From 2008 to 2021, Maine saw a sharp decline in the number of licensed child care providers operating in the state, with Lincoln County alone experiencing a 61% decrease. (Adobe Stock)

Training Underway to Eliminate 'Child Care Deserts' in Maine

A community-development nonprofit is helping to counter the sharp decline in child care providers in Maine by offering the training needed to start an…

A report from Generation Hope about child-care access for student parents finds 78% of student parents surveyed wished their college or university campus supported their child-care needs better. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Eliminating Child-Care Barriers for Student Parents

A new report highlights the need for better access to child care for college level student parents. The report, from Generation Hope, finds 92% of …

Experts estimate that one in 10 kids experiences sexual abuse by their 18th birthday. (Nichizhenova Elena/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

GA Centers Combat Child-Abuse Misconceptions with Impactful Initiatives

Georgia saw more than 62,000 reports of child abuse in 2020, representing more than 120,000 children. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month…

A 2022 report from the New York State Citizen Review Panel outlined several overhauls needed to make Child Protective Services a better functioning agency. Some recommendations include reducing unnecessary investigations of children and families, and reducing harmful practices during investigations. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

NY Bill Requires Court Order for CPS Investigations

A bill in the New York state Legislature would implement new standards for Child Protective Services. The bill requires CPS workers to get a court …

In 2011, coal produced 44% of all electricity in the United States. In 2022, it produced just 20% and is projected to drop to 10% or less by 2030. (Creativenature.nl/Adobe Stock)

Report: Half of Nation’s Coal Power Units to Retire by 2026

The U.S. is projected to retire half of its coal-fired power units by 2026, just 15 years after coal use for electricity reached its peak in 2011…

A recent survey found that 65% of parents think their school has done an

New Survey Spotlights Parents’ Mindsets in 2022-2023 School Year

More than half of parents in Colorado and across the nation continue to be concerned about children's mental health, according to the latest survey …

A report from Generation Hope about child care access for student parents finds 74% of respondents provide over 30 hours of care for their child while attending school. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Student Parents Need Better Access to Child Care

A new report highlights the need for better access to child care for college level student parents. The report, from Generation Hope, finds 92% of …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, instability in a child's life because of a parent in prison can lead to

Report: Keep Incarcerated Parents and Kids Close

A recent report from the Prison Policy Initiative calls for better state laws to keep incarcerated parents close to their kids. It finds 12 states …

According to EducationWeek, 91% of all School Resource Officers nationwide are armed. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Slated to Funnel More than $300 Million Toward Police in Schools

Advocacy groups said they are concerned about the lack of accountability surrounding Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's $388 million proposal to staff schools …

A report based on federal data shows New Mexico's rate of homelessness is 12 individuals per 10,000 people, compared with 18 per 10,000 nationwide - lower than neighboring Colorado, also at 18 per 10,000, but higher than Texas at eight per 10,000. (M-SUR/AdobeStock)

NM Homelessness Declines, But Rural Folks Face Barriers

In the past two years, homelessness in America has risen only 1%, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - which …

Blackfeet Community College is in Browning, Mont. in Glacier County near the Canadian border. (David Adamec/Wikimedia Commons)

Grant Boosts Student Parents at MT Tribal College

A grant is helping student parents at a college in northwestern Montana. The Aspen Institute has announced Blackfeet Community College and seven …

At least 124 bills have been introduced nationwide this year targeting LGBTQ rights in schools and educational settings, freedom of speech and expression, and access to medically necessary health care for transgender people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. (Adobe Stock)

Educators: NH 'Parental Bill of Rights' Endangers Students, Penalizes Teachers

Educators in New Hampshire say a proposed "parental bill of rights" before lawmakers discriminates against LGBTQ students. The legislation requires …

Grace Raymond Hebard's second home, known as the Doctor's Inn at 318 S. 10th St. in Laramie, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the University Neighborhood Historic District. (Andrea Graham/Alliance for Historic Wyoming)

Project Highlights Women Who Forged, Documented Wyoming's History

Wyoming became the first U.S. territory to give women the right to vote in 1869, half a century before the nation finally followed the Cowboy State's …

A new report found nationally, the estimated economic value of family caregivers' unpaid contributions in 2021 was $600 billion. (Evrymmnt/Adobe Stock)

Report: CA's Unpaid Caregivers Contribute 4 Billion Hours per Year

Some 4.4 million family caregivers in California provide more than four billion hours of uncompensated care each year; work worth about $81 billion…

Stable and secure relationships with parents are among the building blocks for positive experiences among children. (Afshar Tetyana/Adobe Stock)

ID Conference Spotlights Importance of Positive Moments for Children

This year's Strengthening Families Training Institute in Boise is highlighting the importance of positive experiences for children. Dr. Robert Sege…

Child care capacity in North Dakota has decreased by nearly 10,000 slots over the past few years. (Adobe Stock)

ND Rolls Out Child Care Cost-Sharing Program

As policymakers consider solutions to North Dakota's child care crisis, a state agency is moving forward with incentives they hope will compel more …

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