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Louisiana teachers' union concerned about educators' future; Supreme Court hears arguments in Trump immunity case; court issues restraining order against fracking waste-storage facility; landmark NE agreement takes a proactive approach to CO2 pipeline risks.

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Speaker Johnson accuses demonstrating students of getting support from Hamas. TikTok says it'll challenge the ban. And the Supreme Court dives into the gray area between abortion and pregnancy healthcare, and into former President Trump's broad immunity claims.

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The urban-rural death divide is widening for working-age Americans, many home internet connections established for rural students during COVID have been broken, and a new federal rule aims to put the "public" back in public lands.

Report Underscores Need for Family Connections for Maryland Kids

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015   

BALTIMORE - Give a kid a family and the odds go up the child will thrive in adulthood,

The Annie E. Casey Foundation released a report Tuesday that makes that case, and tracks where children end up when they have to be removed from their familial homes.

In Maryland, about 600 kids go to bed without the comfort and care of a family, and are placed instead in group homes or institutions.

Nonso Umunna, research director with Advocates for Children and Youth, says his organization is working with the state on the Alternative Response initiative, designed to keep families intact when there is low risk of abuse and neglect.

"They partner with the family," he says. "They try to find ways to help, rather than taking the child out of the family. A very, very good alternative."

The report recommends expansion of programs such as Alternative Response, as well as projects to expand the pool of foster families and require restrictions on non-family setting placements.

According to Umunna, children of color, boys and teens are most likely to end up in group homes or institutions. Umunna says those kids are often most at risk of getting into trouble when "crossing the bridge" into adulthood – so family structure is critical.

"The research has proven this," he says. "Their being in a family setting helps children to better succeed."

About 4,500 children are in the state child welfare system.


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