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White youths are put in juvenile crime diversion programs at far higher rates than comparable Black, Latino and Tribal youth, according to a new report by The Sentencing Project. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa focuses on 'restorative justice' for young offenders

A new report by national researchers says Iowa is making progress in reforming its juvenile justice system, and finding ways to steer kids away from …

Iowa families can apply for up to $7,600 a year for private school costs. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa lawmakers dismiss private school voucher ethics complaint

An ethics committee in the Republican-led Iowa House has dismissed a complaint filed by a group of community activists against a state lawmaker for hi…

Iowa ramps up push to register young voters

Election officials in Iowa are upping their efforts to increase political participation among the state's youngest voters. A registration event has …

Iowa aumenta 'presión' para registrar a votantes jóvenes

Los funcionarios electorales de Iowa están intensificando sus esfuerzos para aumentar la participación política entre los votantes m…

A bill to expand the Child Tax Credit to as many as 129,000 Iowa kids awaits action in the U.S. Senate. (Adobe Stock)

Expanded tax credit would benefit 129,000 Iowa kids

An advocacy group is calling on the U.S. Senate to pass a tax bill to expand the Child Tax Credit for more than 100,000 children in Iowa. It is part …

The Race for Results report groups child well-being indicators into four areas: early childhood, education and early work experiences, family resources and neighborhood context. (Annie E. Casey Foundation Race for Results report)

Report shows Iowa kids of color fare worse than white peers

A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation found while children of color in Iowa fare slightly better than their white peers nationally…

Poor mental health in adolescence is more than feeling blue. It can affect many areas of a teen's life. Youth with poor mental health may struggle with school and grades, decision-making and physical health, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

Doctors increase mental health services to rural Iowa kids

Research shows two in 10 Iowa youth report they have considered suicide, and to confront the crisis, doctors and social scientists are using federal …

Around 400 million acres of American farmland are projected to change hands this year in what amounts to the country's largest-ever generational land shift. (Practical Farmers of Iowa)

Young Iowa farmers struggle for a leg up

Today is the deadline for small farmers seeking financial assistance to apply for grants from a farm advocacy organization designed to help them get t…

In an average year, 302 people die and 489 are wounded by guns in Iowa. Iowa has the 38th-highest<br />rate of gun violence in the U.S., according to Everytown for Gun Safety. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Iowans Face Rising Gun Violence

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

If you are a victim of human trafficking or suspect you know someone who is, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline, a national 24-hour, toll-free, multilingual resource: 1-888-373-7888. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

IA Marks World Anti-Trafficking Day: Hotline Reports up 61%

Sunday is World Day Against Trafficking in Humans, and in Iowa state officials are calling on residents to do more to help. Reports of trafficking …

At the end of the 2021-2022 school year, roughly 31,000 students, or just .06% of the nation's 50 million public-school students, were participating in an ESA program, according to EdChoice. (Adobe Stock)

Private School Tuition Applications Double Expectations

Applications for the state's new private-tuition voucher program are double what lawmakers anticipated. Critics of the plan say it will divert even …

Each year in the United States, RSV causes between 6,000 and 10,000 deaths among adults 65 years and older, and between 100 and 300 deaths in children younger than age 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

IA Doctors Behind New RSV Vaccines

For most people, Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV is a mild respiratory infection, but for at-risk infants and seniors, it can be much more …

In its annual reports, the Annie E. Casey Foundation notes indicators of child well-being are derived from federal government statistical agencies and reflect the best available state and national data for tracking yearly changes. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Ranks High in Healthy Kids Report, but Advocates Seek Improvement

Compared to other states, Iowa ranks sixth nationally in overall child well-being, according to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, released today by the …

More than 241,000 new apprentices entered the national apprenticeship system in 2021, and more than 593,000 are getting the skills they need to succeed while building financial security, according to the Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Awards $3.5M in Apprenticeship Money

Iowa Workforce Development is making millions of dollars available to train and retain employees in the state. It's one way officials are attempting …

Rates of alcohol-induced deaths for males were stable from 2000 to 2009. They increased 30% from 2009 to 2018 and 26% from 2019 to 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Focus on Rural Drinking During Alcohol Awareness Month

Substance-abuse prevention advocates are educating people about the dangers of underage drinking during this, Alcohol Awareness Month. In Iowa…

Eating disorders are serious and sometimes fatal illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person's eating behaviors. Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may signal an eating disorder, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health. (Adobe Stock)

Specialists Raise Awareness During Eating Disorder Week

An estimated 291,000 Iowans suffer from eating disorders, which range from mild to lethal. Experts are spreading knowledge and information during …

Nearly 7 million students with disabilities in the U.S. make up 14% of national public school enrollment, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

IA School Vouchers Pose Challenges for Students with Disabilities

Advocates for Iowans with disabilities say a new "school choice" law could allow discrimination against students with disabilities. The bill …

Casi 7 millones de estudiantes con discapacidades en los EE. UU. representan el 14 % de la inscripci�n en las escuelas p�blicas nacionales, seg�n el Centro Nacional de Estad�sticas Educativas. (Adobe Stock)

Cheques escolares plantean desafíos para estudiantes con discapacidades en IA

Defensores de los habitantes con discapacidades de Iowa dicen que una nueva ley de "elección de escuela" podría permitir la discriminaci…

Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, establishing a minimum age of 18 for nonfarm jobs considered to be hazardous or detrimental to a child's health. (Adobe Stock)

IA Lawmakers Consider Changing Child Labor Laws

Iowa lawmakers are considering a bill to allow teenagers to work in jobs which have historically excluded minors for safety reasons. Supporters …

Baby-bottle tooth decay presents a significant oral health risk for infants and children less than a year old. This occurs when children consume sugary liquid, and bacteria in their mouth produce acid which damages tooth enamel. (Adobe Stock)

Dentists Stress Brushing, Flossing, Smiling During Kids Dental Health Month

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, when dentists really try to get the word out about keeping your kids' teeth and gums healthy…

Iowa Takes Aim at Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Iowa is working to address the problem by educating businesses about the potential signs and dangers…

Four out of five students (81%) say they would be more likely to intervene in instances of cyberbullying if they could do it anonymously. (Adobe Stock)">

Iowa Works to Make Reporting Cyberbullying Easier

It can be challenging for parents and caregivers to shield their children from bigotry and hatred online. In Iowa, the numbers are startling…

Adoption has been officially legal in the United states since the 1850s. (Adobe Stock)

Adoption Day: New "Forever" Homes for More Iowa Kids

It's National Adoption Month, a chance to raise awareness about the need for permanent homes and families for kids in foster care in Iowa. In Polk …

Construction Manager, electrician and radiation technician are among the trade jobs most in demand, according to the website Trade-schools.net. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Invests in Training for Non-Degree Job Fields

Fewer students are enrolling in Iowa's state universities, and the State Board of Regents is meeting this week to discuss ways to change that…

Beyond school counselors, parents and private providers, mental-health advocates urge faith-based and other community groups to provide safe spaces for kids dealing with stress and anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

IA Mental Health Voices: The Kids Aren't All Right

As the school year winds down, education leaders are shedding light on increased mental-health demands among students, including thoughts of suicide…

The Degrees When Due initiative has identified more than 39,000 Iowa students who earned college credits, but outside factors forced them to put their education on hold. (Adobe Stock)

'Degrees When Due' Helps IA College Students Get Back on Track

Iowa has seen a 5% increase in the number of college students who left school without a degree. But some campuses are making it a priority to help …

Health professionals say trans youth attempt suicide at much higher rates than their peers, and that sports serve as a way to cope with any trauma they've dealt with because of their gender identity. (Adobe Stock)

IA Transgender Sports Bill Moves Forward

Iowa has entered the fray of states debating the issue of restricting transgender students from competing in girls' sports. Backers of a ban said …

When it comes to health coverage, 36% of Iowa children are enrolled in public assistance programs. (Adobe Stock)

Report: BBB a Win For Kids' Health Coverage

DES MOINES, Iowa -- As Congress continues to debate the Build Back Better Act, a new report shows how it would address health coverage and access …

Human service providers say even after a foster contract has been fulfilled, maintaining connections with kids who have aged out of the system can provide much-needed stability as they move into adulthood. (Adobe Stock)

Holiday Season Tough on Foster Kids Transitioning to Adulthood

DES MOINES, Iowa - With the holidays near, foster families in Iowa are encouraged to maintain close connections with older teens no longer receiving …

A new report says Black youths are more likely to be in custody than their white peers in every state but one: Hawaii. (Adobe Stock)

IA Sees Worsening Racial Gap in Youth Incarceration

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa has recently laid out recommendations to reduce overrepresentation of minorities in the juvenile justice system. The effort …

A new report says during the pandemic, Iowa's Black, Latino and multiracial households with children were three times as likely as white households to worry about making their next rent or mortgage payment. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Ranking, Pandemic Clouds IA's Child Well-being Outlook

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa gets some high marks in the latest 50-state report on children's wellbeing, but the annual findings show the pandemic is …

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Iowa Refuerza Herramienta Financiera para Personas con Discapacidades

MASON CITY, Iowa - Iowa actualizó una ley cuyos partidarios dicen que da más flexibilidad financiera a la gente que vive con discapacidaes…

As in other parts of the country, Iowa education leaders are trying to figure out ways to prevent students learning remotely from falling too far behind during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock) As in other parts of the country, Iowa education leaders are trying to figure out ways to prevent students learning remotely from falling too far behind during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Effects of Distance Learning Show Up on Iowa Report Cards

WATERLOO, Iowa -- Public schools across the country say they're seeing more failing grades as many students continue with distance learning. In Iowa…

According to the Urban Institute, Iowa's expansion of registered apprenticeships for 16- to 24-year olds led to 4,500 new apprentices between 2016 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)

IA Apprenticeship Program Touted as Career Launching Point

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa is one of only a handful of states to push for a statewide apprenticeship program. And a non-partisan research group says it …

Despite the Trump administration's push to end DACA, polls suggest most Americans support the program. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa DACA Recipient: Fight Continues

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Children of parents who came to the United States illegally are relieved about the Supreme Court's decision Thursday that allows …

State leaders and education advocates are debating how much money to fund the nearly 500-thousand public school students in Iowa. (somethingholden/Morguefile)

IA School Superintendents: Small Funding Increases Won't Do

DES MOINES, Iowa - Iowa lawmakers kicked off the 2020 legislative session this week and already, school funding has become a key topic. The state has …

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is among several presidential hopefuls to take part in candidate forums co-hosted by Des Moines Area Community College. (DMACC)

IA College Students Learn About 2020 Election Up Close

DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic presidential hopefuls have been crisscrossing Iowa in hopes of claiming victory in the upcoming caucuses. Some of their …

Smoking only about one cigarette per day carries a risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke, according to the British Medical Journal. (kevsphotos/Pixabay)

Do E-Cigs Help Reduce Dependence on Traditional Cigarettes?

DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 20 new cases of illness linked to vaping have been reported in Iowa in the past month, and experts warn e-…

Iowa was one of 28 states that have decreased its share of children living in concentrated poverty, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (ArmyAmber/Pixabay)

Iowa Reduces Number of Children Living in Poverty

DES MOINES, Iowa – In Iowa, 3% of children from birth to age 17 live in high-poverty and low-opportunity neighborhoods, according to a new data …

Children aged 6 to 17 years old should do 60 minutes or more of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily, according to guidelines from the federal government. (skeeze/Pixabay)

Iowa's New PE Standards Promote Lifelong Fitness

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa schools are introducing new physical education standards this school year that provide teachers with a framework to …

There are always more children in need of foster homes in Iowa than there are homes available, but the state is making progress in getting kids placed with families and out of institutions. (lsiowa.org)

Making Family a Priority for Iowa's Foster Kids

DES MOINES, Iowa – On any given day in Iowa, about 6,000 children are in foster care, but the number placed with families instead of in group …

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has called the rising student loan debt, which as tripled since 2007, a

"Future Ready Iowa": Is Community College the Answer?

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa has a unique problem – it's the only region in the country where job openings outnumber unemployed job seekers…

Foster homes provide temporary care for children who are unable to remain in their own homes. (chw.org)

Report: Easing Obstacles for Iowa Foster Youth Would Aid Adult Success

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa's foster children who lose their support systems at age 18 often struggle with long-term success as adults, according …

Americans ages 18 to 29 have had the lowest voter turnout rate of any age group in every election since 1986. (now.tufts.edu)

Iowa Mayors Take Pledge Initiated by Gun-Control Advocates

DES MOINES, Iowa – Marshalltown Mayor Joel Greer understands that voting isn't ingrained in young people the way it is in older adults – …

Only 17 percent of Iowans who become young parents have completed an associate's degree or higher, making it difficult to find family-sustaining jobs. (flocrito.org)

Report: Diapers Keep Diplomas at Bay for Iowa’s Young Parents

DES MOINES, Iowa – Young adult or teenage parents face all the challenges as other young adults moving toward self-sufficiency but also have …

A new report shows only 3 percent of Iowa's children were without health care coverage in 2017. (Pixabay)

Iowa Ranks Fifth in 2018 National Child Well-Being Report

DES MOINES, Iowa – A report released today on child well-being across the country says the news is mostly good for Iowa kids when it comes to …

High school students participating in the

Florida Students Take Gun Control Message to Midwest

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Survivors of February's deadly school shooting in Florida took their message for stricter gun-control measures to a …

More than 90 percent of U.S. high school students don't get enough exercise to stay fit and healthy, according to a 2016 Journal of Pediatrics study. (pixabay)

One Hour of Exercise for Smarter, Healthier Iowa Kids

DES MOINES, Iowa — The American Heart Association recommends 60 minutes of daily physical activity for school-aged children. But most Iowa kids …

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IA: Youth