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Wednesday, November 29, 2023

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Home health, hospice nurses in OR call for union contract agreement; MS ranks low among states for long-term care services, supports; and a look at how adopting children changed the lives of two Texas women.

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Former Vice President Mike Pence reportedly tells investigators more details about efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley wins the endorsement of a powerful Koch brothers' network and a Senate committee targets judicial activists known to lavish gifts upon Supreme Court justices.

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Congress has iced the long-awaited Farm Bill, but farmer advocates argue some portions are urgent, the Hoosier State is reaping big rewards from wind and solar, and opponents speak out about a planned road through Alaska's Brooks Range a dream destination for hunters and angler.

New advisory board helps Ohio parents increase advocacy

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Monday, October 23, 2023   

Ohio parents say they're concerned about the childcare crisis, mental health and gun violence, among other issues that have prompted some to join a new initiative to help them build advocacy skills.

Ugochi Akoi is a member of the Parent Advisory Board, formed by the Children's Defense Fund - Ohio and the Central Ohio Parent Leadership Training Institute.

Akoi said she's had many conversations with moms who've had to leave jobs due to lack of affordable childcare, and said the state needs better to policies in place to support families.

"Universal preschool, the ability for our kids to have free schooling, a full-day preschool opportunity," said Akoi, "which now enables a parent to be able to join the workforce."

According to a 2022 Stanford Center on Early Childhood survey, around 39% of women with small children said they've quit or reduced their hours on the job since the pandemic.

Moms continue to log fewer work hours than non-parents, according to federal data.

Kelly Vyzral, senior health policy associate with the Children's Defense Fund - Ohio, said the first Board cohort has graduated from a 20-week Parent Leadership Training program based in Central Ohio.

The board soon hopes to expand across the state.

"One of the things that the group is working on right now is advocating for the Child Tax Credit here in Ohio," said Vyzral. "It's those 'kitchen table issues' that affect all families."

Akoi added that - across household incomes, race, and other demographics - parents want opportunities for their children to thrive, and be safe and healthy.

"What do parents want?" asked Akoi. "What I've heard from neighbors and friends is really, better outcomes for all our kids, and for our communities and our families."

According to research from Pew, four in ten U.S. parents say they are "extremely or very worried" that their kids or teens are struggling with serious mental health issues.




Disclosure: Children's Defense Fund-OH Chapter/KIDS COUNT contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Education, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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