Public News Service

Youth diverted from incarceration have shown a smaller likelihood of re-arrest. (Delphotostock/Adobe Stock)

Report: WA, other states expand diversion of youth from incarceration

A new report found states are making progress in diverting more youth from incarceration, including in Washington state. However, The Sentencing …

Organizations helping underserved youth get outdoors can receive up to $150,000 in grant funding from Washington state. (Brocreative/Adobe Stock)

WA grant program ensures 'No Child Left Inside'

A program in Washington state is helping kids get out and enjoy nature. The No Child Left Inside program funds grants for organizations to ensure …

A 2023 bill to eliminate the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases has been modified and is in front of Washington lawmakers again this session. (photogeek/Adobe Stock)

WA lawmakers again consider erasing statute of limitations on sex abuse cases

Washington state lawmakers are considering eliminating the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases again this session. House Bill 1618 …

The FBI advises people to reach out for help before cooperating with

FBI warns of tragic results from 'sextortion' targeting teens

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the FBI says financially motivated sextortion - often targeting teen boys - went up 20 percent …

The HPV vaccine is usually divided into two doses. (Sherry Young/Adobe Stock)

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: HPV vaccine crucial in prevention

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and a vaccine for young people can reduce the risk of developing this disease. Cervical cancer typically …

La vacuna contra el VPH suele dividirse en dos dosis. Sherry Young/Adobe Stock)

Vacuna contra el VPH es crucial para su prevención

Enero es el mes de concientización sobre el cáncer de cuello uterino y una vacuna para los jóvenes puede reducir el riesgo de desarroll…

Rural Washington is diverse with differing sets of needs for its students. (SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe Stock)

Report: Room to improve for WA's rural students

Washington does well in a new report on how states are supporting rural schools, but it still shows there's room for improvement. The National …

More than 95% of youth ages 13-17 are on social media, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Mental health concerns grow over social media impact on youth

Health professionals have raised alarms about social media and its impact on young people's mental health. Concern has grown so great that earlier …

Washington state has 34 community and technical colleges. (Atomic Taco/Wikimedia Commons)

AFT grants to WA help communities find local education solutions

The American Federation of Teachers is partnering with organizations around the country to promote community solutions to the issues education is faci…

More than 6,000 students attend Lower Columbia College. (M.O. Stevens/Adobe Stock)

Vocational, training programs provide bright spots for colleges

While some college programs struggle to bring students back to the classroom, vocational and training programs are becoming a more important part of …

Washington's Running Start program, offering college credit to high school students, began in 1990. (BillionPhotos.com/Adobe Stock)

Running Start lets WA high schoolers explore college courses

A program giving high school students a taste of college and college credits along the way is celebrating its 33rd year of operation in Washington sta…

The Washington Library Association sponsors or supports five book awards for young readers in the state. (Sergey Nivens/Adobe Stock)

American Education Week: WA libraries inspire reading

It's American Education Week and school librarians' role in students' lives are in the spotlight. Elizabeth Roberts, a teacher, librarian and …

Budgeting is a helpful tool for people considering their money during financial planning month.(ijeab/Adobe Stock)

Financial Planning Month: students get 'bite of reality'

October is Financial Planning Month and an engaging event is helping high schoolers think about their money managing futures. More than 90 "Bite of …

It's estimated nearly 300,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2023. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Breast cancer screenings should happen earlier, health experts say

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and health professionals say younger women are increasingly being diagnosed with the cancer. About one in …

Se estima que casi 300.000 mujeres ser�n diagnosticadas con c�ncer de mama invasivo en 2023. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Exámenes de detección del cáncer de mama deberían realizarse antes

Octubre es el Mes de Concientización sobre el Cáncer de Mama y los profesionales de la salud dicen que cada vez se diagnostica más c…

The Alternatives to Violence Project has been offered in schools across the country. (Wikimedia Commons)

WA group brings 'Alternatives to Violence' to secondary students

Skills for reducing violence are becoming essential in schools. At the beginning of the school year, students at a Washington state high school …

Screen time before bed can be especially detrimental for teenagers and their developing brains. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

Screen Time Driver of Sleep Loss Among Young People

School is back and one way parents can set their kids up for success is ensuring screen time is not getting in the way of sleep. Dr. Maida Chen…

Nearly 200,000 children in Washington state are facing hunger, according to Feeding America. (FAMILY STOCK/Adobe Stock)

As School Year Nears, Child Hunger Major Struggle in WA

The new school year is around the corner and one issue in the spotlight in Washington state is child hunger. Even with free breakfast and lunch …

One in four people part of Gen Z reported feeling emotionally distressed in a recent report. (Stock Rocket/Adobe Stock)

Mental Health Crisis Among Gen Z Sparks Concern

Mental health is a major issue for young people of Generation Z, people who were born after 1996, and research has found they report feeling …

The Biden administration has announced student loan forgiveness totaling $39 billion. (darren415/Adobe Stock)

Student Debt Erased for More Than 16,000 Washingtonians

Student debt relief is coming for more than 16,000 Washington state residents. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to allow a greater pool …

A new report on child well-being ranks Washington state 10th in its family and community category. (Aleksei Potov/Adobe Stock)

Access to Care Among WA Children's Biggest Challenges

Washington state fares well in a new report released on child well-being, but is facing important challenges in child care. The Annie E. Casey …

Social Media Growing Concern for Youth Mental Health

Symptoms of anxiety and depression are up among adolescents and young adults. Health experts warn social media is playing a role in declining mental …

Creciente Preocupación en las Redes Sociales por Salud Mental de los Jóvenes

Síntomas de ansiedad y depresión aumentan entre los adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. Los expertos en salud advierten que las redes …

A recent CDC survey found 13% of young girls attempted suicide in 2021. (Magryt/Adobe Stock)

Prioritizing Mental Health During Women's Health Week

To wrap up Women's Health Week, doctors are urging women to take stock of their mental health. Dr. Sharon Eloranta, medical director at the …

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 …

Gender affirming care can improve the mental health of young people. (AngelHerrezuelo/Adobe Stock)

WA Bill Supports Trans Youth as Attacks Across US Increase

As legislation across the country targets transgender people, Washington state lawmakers are moving in the opposite direction. The Legislature …

In the midst of a housing crisis, a program in the state Legislature would create a fund for low-income Washingtonians to buy a home. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)

WA Baby Bond Bill Could Help Address Racial Wealth Gap

In Olympia, lawmakers want to address the wealth gap early with a fund set aside for children of low-income households. The Washington future fund …

Too much screen time at night has shown to be detrimental to children's sleep cycles. (Elena/Adobe Stock)

Eye Strain from Digital Screens Growing Concern for Health Professionals

People are spending more time than ever looking at screens, and it is putting a strain on their eyes. The hours spent looking at digital devices can …

Hate groups target certain people to harass online. (burdun/Adobe Stock)

Tips for Guarding Kids from Online Bigotry

It can be challenging for parents and caregivers to shield their children from bigotry and hatred online, but there are a few tips they can follow…

Central Washington University and its Wildcat Pantry are located in the small town of Ellensburg. (IanDewarPhotography/Adobe Stock)

WA University Student Pantry Confronts Root of Hunger on Campus

Hunger is pervasive on college campuses across the country, including in Washington, and a university in the state is one example of how students are …

Child poverty dropped to 5.2% during the pandemic because of the expanded Child Tax Credit and other relief efforts. (ktay21/Adobe Stock)

No Corporate Tax Cuts without Family Tax Relief, Dems Say

CORRECTION: Monthly amounts of the expanded Child Tax Credits were $250 (ages 0 to 5) to $300 (ages 6 to 17). An earlier version of this story had …

Homero Jose speaks to a crowd gathered at Bellingham City Hall in support of a center that would serve the community's immigrant populations. (Brenda Bentley)

Rally Decries Council 'No' Vote on Bellingham's Immigrant Center

People rallied outside of Bellingham City Hall on Thursday to show support for a city-funded immigrant resource center. It's a response to a City …

Adding fruits to water is a natural way to add flavor without adding gobs of sugar to the drink. (Mary's/Adobe Stock)

Health Pros: Consider Alternatives to Sugary Drinks as School Returns

It's almost time for kids in Washington state to head back to school, and some might gravitate toward soda and other drinks with lots of sugar…

The rate of Washington state kids with health insurance has increased over the past decade to one of the highest rates in the nation. (Iriana Shiyan/Adobe Stock)

Report: Many WA Kids Suffering from Anxiety, Depression

The mental health of Washington state children is a major area of concern, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids …

Washington state is the country's leading producer of apples. (Bernt Rostad/Flickr)

Groups Fill Food-Access Gaps in WA School District

When school districts are not able to provide summer-school classes, it can have a big effect on how children get meals. Case in point: the Mount …

The share of arrests of young people has decreased in every major crime category over the past two decades. (sakhorn38/Adobe Stock)

Research Undermines Narrative of Youth-Led Crime Wave

Crime rates among young people have dropped dramatically in recent decades - despite media coverage that points to a supposed "crime wave" led by yout…

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has partnered with Naselle Youth Camp on assistance during wildfire season. (dcyf.wa.gov)

Workers Urge Gov To Strike Closure of WA Youth Facility

Workers at a medium-security facility for youths in Washington state are calling on the governor to keep their doors open after their facility was def…

A recent study found as many as three-quarters of trans youths are depressed, but gender-affirming care has been proven to reduce that number. (pikselstock/Adobe Stock)

Study: Gender-Affirming Care Decreases Depression for Trans Youth

Depression and thoughts of suicide are higher among transgender youth. But studies show that gender-affirming care improves their mental health…

One survey found nearly 30% of Washington state young people who were in foster care had a child by age 21. (yufan sun-EyeEm/Adobe Stock)

Housing, Other Challenges Face WA Youth After Foster Care

SEATTLE - The holidays can be a tough time for young people who have aged out of the foster-care system. For young Washingtonians, housing is an …

Half of the college graduating class of 2019 in Washington state had student debt. (William W. Potter/Adobe Stock)

Free College Plan Out in Congress, But WA Students Still Have Options

SEATTLE - Congress has abandoned plans for two free years of community college in its expansive spending bill. But low and middle income families in …

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson was among 22 AGs to call for changes in September to the public-service loan program. (darren415/Adobe Stock)

Changes Coming to Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

SEATTLE -- An overhaul of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program could bring relief to more than 550,000 student-loan borrowers nationwid…

Two Washington state school districts removed police officers from campuses last year. (Chalabala/Adobe Stock)

Report: Use COVID Relief Funds to Stop School-to-Prison Pipeline

SEATTLE - Billions of federal stimulus dollars are heading to schools across the country. A report says states should use some of these funds to …

Congress is providing more than $400 million to current and former foster youths through a pandemic aid program. (elizabeth lara/EyeEm/Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Aid Available for Former Foster Youth in WA

SEATTLE - Foster care alumni in Washington state have one month left to apply for pandemic aid. As part of a large relief package in Congress last …

Nearly 200,000 Washington kids were living in poverty in 2019. (Seattle/Adobe Stock)

Kids in WA Doing Better Than Other States, But Disparities Remain

SEATTLE -- Washington state ranks high in a new report on child well-being, but the data hides some of the disparities that exist in the state…

Washington credit unions provided financial education to 100,000 people in 2019. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Young People Encouraged to 'Pay Themselves,' Start Saving Early

SEATTLE -- In April, credit unions are highlighting the importance of starting financial education early. This month is Credit Union Youth Month…

The rate of Black and Latinx young people admitted to jails has fallen faster than the rate for white youth during the pandemic. (luaeva/Adobe Stock)

Report: COVID-19 Narrows Racial Gap in Youth Jails

SEATTLE -- Fewer young people are being admitted to jails because of COVID-19, according to data from The Annie E. Casey Foundation. And the drop …

The decrease in youth detention rates over the last month has been as dramatic as the reduction rate from 2010 to 2017 at detention centers in 30 states. (pixelcarpenter/Adobe Stock)

Fewer Young People in Detention During Pandemic

SEATTLE -- The number of young people in detention centers has decreased dramatically since the coronavirus outbreak began, according to a new survey…

In 2018, there was more than $45 million in credit-union savings accounts for 151,000 children in Washington state. (Northwest Credit Union Association)

WA Saves Week: Putting Away Money Early

LONGVIEW, Wash. - Gov. Jay Inslee has declared this week Washington Saves Week, and some credit unions are celebrating by promoting young people to …

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WA: Youth