Public News Service

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, up to $31 trillion in U.S. economic activity hinges on helping young people complete learning delayed by the pandemic. (Pixabay)

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Palm Beach County schools tackle post-pandemic chronic absenteeism

Palm Beach County schools are working to curb chronic absenteeism, which has surged since the pandemic. Nearly 39% of Palm Beach County students …

According to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, fewer than 5% of youths arrested have any gang alert on their record. However, those with gang alerts are more likely to have been first arrested at age 12 or younger, and more likely to be serious, violent and chronic offenders. (athree23/Pixabay)

Report highlights decline in youth incarceration but challenges remain

A new report revealed while the United States has made significant progress in reducing youth incarceration rates, troubling disparities still exist…

School-based mental and behavioral health services help prevent issues and enhance educational achievement and future employment opportunities. (Coyot/Pixabay)

New mental-health checklist aims to support returning Florida students

With mental health challenges on the rise among youths, school-based services have become a critical component in addressing the issues. A new …

Immokalee is an unincorporated area in Collier County, Florida, one of the major centers of tomato production in the United States. (Immokalee Foundation)

Free summer camps boost career goals for underserved youth

A series of free summer camps focused on STEM and other career paths seeks to boost the career goals of youth in the agricultural community of Immokal…

The number of Florida eighth graders not proficient in math increased in the most recent Kids Count Data Book ranking from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Pixabay)

Kids Count report: Florida maintains in education, ranks 30th in child well-being

Florida is ranked 30th in the 2024 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The annual report ranks states on the overall condition …

By May 10, around 1.8 million Floridians lost Medicaid access, per KFF Health's Medicaid unwinding tracker. (Pexels)

Delay in Florida Medicaid trial raises stakes for hundreds of thousands

Florida's trial on Medicaid eligibility, resulting in 1.8 million people losing coverage, has been indefinitely postponed because the judge …

A report by the National Women's Law Center and the Southern Poverty Law Center found when Black girls were sexualized or harassed, they were often blamed for the event or had their experience minimized. (Pexels)

Black girls' safety in schools: Miami-Dade study makes urgent call for change

A new report shows Black girls are enduring disproportionate discipline, sexual harassment and public humiliation from school-based police and …

Dalton (left) and Dawson, together after being adopted in 2017. (Dave Thomas Foundation)

A Florida family's inspiring adoption journey

As siblings in foster care, the fear of being separated is daunting. But thanks to a loving family in Jacksonville, Fla., for two brothers in Ohio…

Oral-health experts note the fact that everyone's mouth is full of bacteria. They recommend a daily routine of brushing and flossing as the best defense against bad bacteria known as plaque. (renatalferro/Pixabay)

Expert tips to prevent cavities for Children's Dental Health Month

Beyond celebrating Valentine's Day, February is Children's Dental Health Month - which serves as a reminder to prioritize oral health habits that can …

The National PTA and ConnectSafely are hosting a free virtual event to help parents safely navigate digital screen times with children and teens. (Pixabay/twinquinn84)

'Safer Internet Day' offers free resources to parents, children

As Florida lawmakers advance bills to restrict children's access to social media, today's Safer internet Day is a global campaign to raise awareness …

Some worry the push to drop sociology from general education requirements comes after a new law, part of Senate Bill 266, Florida's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion law, which forbids institutions of higher education from spending state funds on DEI programs or initiatives. (Pixabay)

Why is sociology on the chopping block in Florida?

Another controversial move in Florida's education system is a proposal to drop sociology, the study of social life and the causes and consequences of …

A algunos les preocupa que la presi�n para eliminar la sociolog�a de los requisitos de educaci�n general se produzca despu�s de que pase la nueva ley, que forma parte del Proyecto de Ley del Senado 266. La ley antidiversidad, equidad e inclusi�n de Florida, proh�be a las instituciones de educaci�n superior gastar fondos estatales en programas o iniciativas de DEI. (Pixabay)

¿Por qué la sociología está en peligro en Florida?

Otra medida controvertida en el sistema educativo de Florida es una propuesta para eliminar la sociología, el estudio de la vida social y las …

ALT NEW COLLEGE ofrece cursos en asociaci�n con la comunidad de New College y con el apoyo de Bard College y Open Society University Network, OSUN. (Pixabay)

Educadores preservan y dan forma al futuro con 'ALT NEW COLLEGE'

La llamada "adquisición hostil" conservadora de una pequeña y progresista universidad de artes liberales en Florida está experimentando…

Along with boosting reading comprehension, other elements of the American Federation of Teachers' campaign include garnering more support staff and necessary teacher resources, and making strides to improve youth mental health. (Adobe Stock)

New Campaign Works to Aid FL, US Public Education

A new campaign is working to invigorate public schools across Florida and the U.S. The American Federation of Teachers - Real Solutions for Kids …

Researchers at the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health found that nationally, children who visit emergency departments for non-traumatic dental conditions are more likely to be uninsured or covered by Medicaid and live in lower-income households. (jennyfriedrichs/Pixabay)

Report: High Rates of Emergency Rooms for Nontraumatic Dental Conditions

A new report showed children aged 14 and younger are seeking dental care through emergency departments at alarming rates for preventable conditions su…

Adem�s de impulsar la comprensi�n de la lectura, otros elementos de la campa�a de la Federaci�n Estadounidense de Profesores incluyen la obtenci�n de m�s personal de apoyo y recursos necesarios para los profesores, y la realizaci�n de esfuerzos para mejorar la salud mental de los j�venes. (Adobe Stock)

Nueva campaña en favor de la educación pública en FL y EE.UU.

Una nueva campaña pretende reavivar las escuelas públicas de Florida y Estados Unidos. La campaña Real Solutions for Kids and …

According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Florida's average cost of center-based child care for a toddler in 2021 amounts to 26% of a single mother's income in the state. (Pixabay)

Report: Child Care Costs Push FL Parents to Breaking Point

New data ranks Florida 31st in the country for overall child well-being, however, it showed parents are tapped out on child care costs. The Annie E…

As the number of full-time statehouse reporters decline so do the number of newspapers. Since 2005, the U.S. has lost more than a fourth of its newspapers (2,500) and is on track to lose a third by 2025. (Adobe Stock)

University-Led Reporting Lets Students Cover the Statehouse

Student reporters are stepping up to fill gaps in news coverage as the number of full-time statehouse reporters continues to decline. State …

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 …

A pandemic-era law that helped keep children and families continuously with health-insurance coverage will lift gradually starting on April 1. (Pixabay)

FL Could See Spike in Child Uninsured Rate if Health Emergency Ends

As federal pandemic health emergency protections are set to expire starting in April, child advocates are concerned the program that kept Florida's …

In partnership with the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation, New College of Florida offers free writing worships to high school students preparing for college. (Pixabay)

Free Essay Workshops Aim to Support Students on Path to Higher Ed

The college admissions process can be both expensive and stressful for students, but a free program at New College of Florida aims to demystify the …

Studies show a variety of dental conditions such as untreated decay and tooth loss can cause a profound impact on self-esteem in adolescents. (pixabay)

Oral Hygienist Highlights Dangers of Dental Disorders in Children

Dental hygienists are trying to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene, noting dental pain is one of the most common reasons for school …

A group of 40 Florida-based organizations has sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis, urging the state to publish its plan for keeping people insured when the federal public health emergency expires. (Pixabay)

FL Child Uninsured Rate Stabilizes; Advocates Raise Future Concerns

While the Sunshine State ranks among the top 10 states with the highest rates of uninsured children, it did see more kids with health coverage during …

The pandemic-era American Rescue Plan temporarily increased the Child Tax Credit for most families from an annual total of $2,000 per child to $3,000 or $3,600 per child, depending on their age. (Pixabay)

Florida Groups Add Momentum to Extending Child Tax Credit

Florida advocates are hopeful, as Congress negotiates an omnibus bill which would continue corporate tax breaks, it will also extend and make …

A survey by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption found dealing with behavioral issues and paying for the adoption remain prospective parents' most common concerns, both for adoptions out of foster care and internationally. (Pixabay)

Survey Shows More Families Consider "Building" through Adoption

November is National Adoption Month, a chance to raise awareness about Florida kids waiting to be adopted into a "forever" home and family. A survey …

Health experts say making sure children are current with all their check-ups is important to their health and academic success. (Pixabay)

Experts Urge Checkups for Florida Kids, Including Mental Health

Experts are reminding parents to schedule time to get health screenings for kids - and to also think beyond the basic back-to-school physical…

Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual report evaluating states on indicators of child well-being finds modest improvements in Florida, keeping its ranking at 35th in the nation for the third year. (AnnieSpratt/Pixabay)

Florida's Child Well-Being Report Card Shows Increase in Mental Distress

Children's advocacy groups are calling on lawmakers to do more to improve the well-being of Florida's kids. For the first time, the 2022 Kids Count …

Since the 1990s, some researchers have argued that intense forms of grief should be classified as a mental illness. In 2021, the American Psychiatric Association made the classification official. (Pixabay)

Florida Nonprofit Helps Children Cope with Grief

Losing a loved one can be traumatic, but when it happens to children, it can leave them at risk of anxiety, depression and even post-traumatic stress …

A new report recommends limiting the types of offenses that can land youth in detention and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in placement decisions. (Pixabay)

Report: Youths of Color 50% More Likely to Face Juvenile Incarceration

Almost a quarter-million American children were incarcerated in 2019, according to a new report called "Too Many Closed Doors" from the Sentencing …

In a statement, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said Florida lawmakers are

"You Matter:" Messages of Support Follow Passage of 'Don't Say Gay' Bill

LGBTQ advocates are turning their focus to encouraging words for young people who are gay, following passage of Florida's "Parental Rights in …

Florida is among the states at greatest risk of children losing coverage through its Medicaid/CHIP programs, according to the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute. (Pixabay)

Report: FL Children in Jeopardy of Becoming Uninsured

A new report found Florida kids in the Children's Health Insurance Program could be at most risk of losing health coverage when the official public-he…

Florida se encuentra entre los estados con mayor riesgo de que los ni�os pierdan la cobertura a trav�s de sus programas Medicaid/CHIP, seg�n el Instituto de Pol�ticas de Salud de la Universidad de Georgetown. (Pixabay)

Informe: Niños en riesgo de quedarse sin seguro médico en FL

Un nuevo informe muestra que los niños de Florida enrolados en el Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños (CHIP por sus siglas en ingl…

About 25% of former community-college students cited difficulty learning on their own, in an online environment, as a barrier to completing their coursework. (Wokandapix/Pixabay)

FL Community Colleges Zero In on Dropout Prevention

New research shows six in ten Florida community-college students drop out before they finish - even with good grades and only a few credits shy of gra…

Alrededor del 25% de los exestudiantes de universidades comunitarias mencionaron la dificultad para aprender por s� mismos, en un entorno en l�nea, como una barrera para completar sus cursos. (Wokandapix/Pixabay)

Colegios comunitarios en FL se concentran en prevención de abandono escolar

Una nueva investigación muestra que seis de cada diez estudiantes de universidades comunitarias de Florida abandonan los estudios antes de termin…

Some 500 volunteers made phone calls and canvassed neighborhoods in Broward County to find truant students. (Pixabay)

FL Teachers, Volunteers Go Door-to-Door to Get Missing Students Back to Class

TAMARAC, Fla. -- Teachers and volunteers in Broward County embarked on a unique canvassing campaign to find up to 11,000 students who either have not …

Through P-EBT, eligible schoolchildren receive temporary emergency nutrition benefits loaded on EBT cards that are used to purchase food. (Oleg Magni/Pexels)

Florida OK'd for More than $1B in P-EBT Funding for Children

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- After weeks of pressure on Gov. Ron DeSantis to apply for a one-time pandemic food-stamp program, this week Florida became the …

Florida currently allows minors to expunge first-time misdemeanors if they complete a diversion program. (Pxabay)

Advocates See DeSantis Veto of Juvenile Records Bill as Missed Opportunity

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Republicans and Democrats alike are stunned by Gov. Ron DeSantis' veto of a bill they passed unanimously. It would've expanded …

Nearly one in four adults living in households with children said they felt

Report Suggests FL Gains in Child Well-Being Could be Temporary

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- An annual report on child well-being underscores the need in Florida for specific action to repair the damage caused by the …

Desde el inicio de la pandemia, hace m�s de un a�o, Florida ha pagado cerca de $30 billones en beneficios por desempleo. (Pexels)

Una Petición insta al gobernador de Florida a restablecer los beneficios “vitales” de desempleo

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Trabajadores despedidos están apelando ante el Gobernador Ron DeSantis para que revierta los planes de terminar un programa …

In accordance with a TSA face-mask requirement extension through mid-September, all travelers - even those who are fully vaccinated - must wear masks and practice COVID-safe behavior at all U.S. airports, and aboard commercial aircraft. (Adobe Stock)

As COVID Restrictions Loosen, Safety Urged on Public Transportation

TAMPA, Fla. - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that people two weeks out from receiving their last dose of the COVID-19 …

According to the nonprofit Florida TaxWatch,

One FL College Strives for Better Workforce Recovery

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- As the nation recovers from the recession, a community college in Broward County is taking a different approach to make …

In Florida, prospective foster parents work with local community organizations to complete the licensing process to become a foster parent. (Pexels)

Florida Sees Growing Need for Foster Families, Training

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- May is National Foster Care Month, and states like Florida are still adjusting to federal changes put in place three years ago…

The Florida Legislature has passed a bill that would block transgender children from playing on sports teams that don't align with their gender at birth. (Pexels)

FL Republicans Ban Transgender Athletes, Send Bill to Governor

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Last-minute maneuvering by Republican lawmakers revived a bill that would ban transgender girls and women from playing on public …

According to the International Energy Agency, electricity generation from renewables will increase by 50% in the next five years. Student leaders in Florida hope their universities will commit to using them in the next two decades. (Adobe Stock)

More Students at FL Universities Seek Clean Energy for Campus

TAMPA, Fla. -- Student-government leaders from several Florida universities want their schools to commit to using 100% renewable energy. This week…

Lumina Foundation created its Racial Justice and Equity Fund in 2017 following the

Group Works to Research Internship Pay and Inequities

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Former unpaid interns in Congress are broadening their quest for paid internships, with a $200,000 grant to research racial …

La Fundaci�n Lumina cre� el Fondo de Equidad y Justicia Racial en el a�o de 2017 luego de la manifestaci�n

Trabajos en grupo para investigar desigualdades en el pago de pasantías

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Los ex pasantes no remunerados en el Congreso, están ampliando su búsqueda de pasantías remuneradas con un …

A new report shows a higher percentage of Florida families are struggling during the COVID crisis than families nationally. <br />(Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels)

Pandemic Intensifies Food, Housing Struggles for Florida Families

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- New data reveals what many policy experts have feared for months - the pandemic has taken a serious toll on the well-being of …

A new study finds Latino students who enroll in college face a

Study: Latinos in FL Face Growing ‘Completion Gap’ to Earning Degree

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- While the number of Latinos entering college in Florida and across America is increasing, new research shows many lag behind in …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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