Public News Service

The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals child poverty in America increased slightly in 2023. (Karen Roach/Adobe Stock)

Stalled Child Tax Credit leaves Ohio families in limbo

During this week's presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris proposed reviving the Child Tax Credit, which was part of the American Rescue …

Ohio spends about $12,000 per student annually on public education, which is slightly below the national average. (Pixels Hunter/Adobe Stock)

Critical choices: How Ohio’s elections will affect education

In Ohio, the upcoming elections could have a significant effect on public education. Educators are urging voters to consider how the candidates' …

Research indicated between 50% and 70% of coaches are not educators in their school buildings. Although they have community support for athletics, they often miss out on the training and daily interactions that are part of being a teacher. (Anela R/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Coaching beyond the game for student growth in Ohio and elsewhere

The Coach Beyond program, started by Ohio State University's Life Sports, is making waves across Ohio by helping coaches address more than just the …

Ohio public schools have about 100,000 teachers, averaging 16 students per teacher and 220,000 non-teaching staff, averaging seven students per non-teaching position, with nearly all teachers holding a bachelor's degree or higher. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

The quiet preparation: Ohio teachers before the first bell

As Ohio students head back to school, many parents may think the return to the classroom begins when the first bell rings but for educators, the …

Based on input from 162 caseworkers and 85 families, respecting, listening, and being vulnerable were the most important caseworker behaviors in the PACT Behavioral Research Project. (D Lahoud/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Building bridges: How PACT is redefining child welfare through relationships

The Public Children's Services Association of Ohio has launched a groundbreaking new initiative called Practice in Action Together, aimed at …

According to more than 1,000 parents surveyed nationally, the top challenges in forming classroom connections are: Too much time with technology (50%), bullying (30%) and the social effects of the pandemic (22%). (I/Adobe Stock)

Building belonging: Prioritizing mental health in Ohio schools

As Ohio students prepare for the new school year, mental health experts are highlighting the importance of belonging in the classroom. A national …

Ohio House Bill 183 would also restrict students from using overnight accommodations with those of a different gender. (Andre/Adobe Stock)

Controversy continues over Ohio 'Bathroom Bill'

By Eduardo Miranda Strobel / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Concerns of …

In the past year, close to 30% of Ohio families with children age 0-5 have undergone job adjustments due to childcare issues. (dglimages/Adobe Stock)

OH lawmakers propose $10 million child care program for working families

Sen. Michele Reynolds, R-Canal Winchester and Rep. Mark Johnson, R-Chillicothe, recently announced a significant legislative initiative to address …

Ohio resident Jeremy Madden, his wife and their adopted daughter. (Jeremy Madden)

Workplace adoption benefits help families, communities

More employers are offering benefits to adoptive parents, according to a new survey by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. The amount of paid …

Ohio currently has more than 1,800 foster children who live in group settings because there are not enough foster families willing take on kids significant behavioral challenges and complex needs. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio program prepares foster parents to care for kids with complex needs

An Ohio program that provides help for foster parents of children with complex behavioral issues is expanding. It offers 24/7 on-call crisis …

Chronic absence from school may be driving learning loss. Some 30% of students, about 14.7 million, were chronically absent in 2021-2022, nearly double pre-pandemic rates, according to new data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Report: Ohio make has made some progress on child well-being

Math and reading proficiency among Ohio kids has worsened over the past five years, according to new data. The latest Kids Count Data Book from the …

Feeding America estimates that 22 million children nationwide experience hunger each summer, because they miss out on nutrition programs through their schools. (Adobe Stock)

New Ohio EBT/SUN Bucks program to feed more kids this summer

Eligible Ohio families will receive $120 this summer to buy groceries for their children through a new summer EBT/SUN Bucks program. Brigette Hires…

Seg�n el Centro para el Control y la Prevenci�n de Enfermedades, los ni�os necesitan visitas peri�dicas al pediatra y al dentista para seguir su desarrollo y detectar pronto los problemas de salud, que suelen ser m�s f�ciles de tratar. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio ocupa el 5to. lugar del país en número de niños expulsados de Medicaid/CHIP

Más de 120,000 niños de Ohio han sido dados de baja de Medicaid y del Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños o CHIP, y la mayorí…

Children need regular well-child and dental visits to track their development and find health problems early, when they're usually easier to treat, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio among top states for number of kids kicked off Medicaid, CHIP

More than 120,000 Ohio kids have been disenrolled from Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program or CHIP, and most were removed for …

Out-of-school suspensions contribute to Ohio's high chronic absenteeism rates, according to a new report from the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Suspensions, expulsions on rise in Ohio schools, report finds

Ohio's Black students are more likely to face excessively harsh discipline practices such as expulsion and suspension, according to a recently …

A new survey of parents in predominantly Appalachian Ohio counties find most had positive experiences with a new social work model called Ohio Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Peer-mentor centered program helps Ohio families struggling with substance use

An evidenced-based social work model to help parents struggling with substance use stay connected to their children is offering hope to Ohio counties …

Aaryn's husband Ken, Samantha, Aaryn and Amy, a Wendy's Wonderful Kids recruiter. (Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption)

Ohio mom finds reward in raising adopted daughter with special needs

This month is National Disability Awareness Month, and in Ohio, parents who've adopted kids with special needs say living with a disability isn't …

Research has linked school-based health centers to reduced absenteeism rates, reduced dropout rates, and increased graduation rates, according to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. (Adobe Stock)

School-based health centers expand care access for Ohio kids

Children's advocates are pushing for the expansion of school-based health care to help improve health and learning outcomes for Ohio kids. Dr…

Ohio has around 15,000 children currently in foster care, according to state data. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)<br />

New Ohio children’s services model aims to promote family healing

A first-of-its-kind social work model aims to provide struggling Ohio families with personalized attention and resources. Mike Kenney - director of …

According to the advocacy group Kids in Danger, there were 100 children's product recalls in 2022, the highest number since 2013. (Adobe Stock/Generated with AI)

Experts: Parents should do homework on smart toys for kids

The "smart toy" market is now a more than $16 billion industry, and is expected to double by 2027. This holiday season, experts are warning parents …

Laws related to educational censorship in schools, colleges, universities and libraries have skyrocketed over the past two years nationwide, according to PEN America. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: School censorship laws hurt education profession

Education experts are worried censorship laws could have profound long-term impacts on the teaching profession. Research from the National Education …

Child care continues to pose challenges for working parents in Ohio. In 2021, Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Ohio hit a 20-year low in the number of child-care workers, with around 12,000 across 88 counties. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio has billions in unspent reserves as child well-being measures drop

Math and reading proficiency among Ohio's students have stalled since the pandemic, and more students are qualifying for free or reduced-price school …

More than 30 states have expanded Medicaid coverage for new moms to one year after childbirth, according to the group KFF. (Adobe Stock)

WIC funding cuts could worsen Ohio maternal, infant health

Food banks in Ohio say proposed cuts to the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants, and Children would be devastating for …

As many as 100,000 Americans have been forced to stay home from work each month because of child care issues, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Adobe Stock)

Child-care crisis mounts in Appalachian Ohio

In Appalachian Ohio, quality child care is increasingly scarce or prohibitively expensive for working families. Even before COVID-19, 60% of rural …

Between the summers of 2021 and 2022, more than 500 children spent at least one night in county government offices because they had nowhere to go, according to the Public Children Association of Ohio. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio agencies work with churches to strengthen supports for foster children

More than 3,500 foster children are available for adoption in Ohio, and state agencies are connecting with local faith congregations to help recruit …

Ninety-five percent of missing children in Ohio have been safely found so far this year, according to the state Office of the Attorney General. (Adobe Stock)<br />

As more children go missing in Ohio, advocates push for change

By India Gardener / Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. According to Attorney …

The proportion of rural American adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher increased from 5% in 1960 to 35% in 2019, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s rural communities find new solutions to expand student resources

Rural schools in Ohio are finding local solutions to ensure their students have the resources and skills they need to be successful. Grand Valley …

States on April 1 began ending Medicaid coverage for people found ineligible or whose redetermination can't be completed for procedural reasons, a process known as Medicaid unwinding. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio sees coverage losses as Medicaid unwinding continues

More Ohioans are at risk for losing their health coverage through Medicaid because of procedural errors, according to a recent analysis. Federal rule …

Ohio is home to an estimated 60,000 English learner students. Spanish is the main language of almost 40% of Ohio's English learners, along with 90 other home languages, according to state data. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Ohio schools haven’t kept pace with growing number of English learners

Ohio schools are stepping up to meet the needs of a growing number of English learners. Nearly 40% of around 60,000 English learners in the state …

Harmful chemicals including lead, particulate matter, pesticides, and phthalates added to plastics, impair brain development in children. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio children are being harmed by toxic chemicals

Children of color and from low-income families in Ohio and across the nation are not only exposed to more dangerous toxic chemicals including lead…

Women in Ohio are sent to prison more often for drug offenses than their male counterparts, at times differing by more than 14% of the population. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Drug offenses draw higher incarceration rates for OH women

The number of women in Ohio prisons continues to trend downward but studies show women are still more likely to be imprisoned for drug offenses compar…

Families in Early Head Start have stable home environments and less involvement with the child welfare system, according to the National Head Start Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Congress proposes slashing funding for Head Start programs

More than 3,000 Ohio children could lose access to Head Start programs under budget cut proposals now being considered by Congress. From birth …

In 2022, more than 2,593,000 children lived in Ohio, according to the Annie. E Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New advisory board helps Ohio parents increase advocacy

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 …

Aimee Clemson-Rich was recently honored with the 2023 PCSAO Child Advocate of the Year award. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio caseworkers strive to keep families together, reduce trauma for kids

The opioid crisis continues to plaque communities across Ohio, and according to the state Department of Job and Family Services, more than 3,000 Ohio …

The Student Assistance Program in some Ohio schools connects students with tools in order to remove obstacles to learning, and is now incorporating mental-health resources. (Rosalie Murphy/Kent State NewsLab).<br />

Ohio schools experiment with 'sensory rooms,' post-pandemic

By Nathalia Teixeira for Kent State News Lab.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration…

La cobertura de Medicaid durante las primeras etapas de la vida, incluso antes del nacimiento, est� relacionada con mejores resultados de salud para la pr�xima generaci�n, seg�n un estudio publicado en American Economic Review. (Adobe Stock)

Número alarmante de niños han perdido la cobertura de Medicaid en OH

A medida que avanza la revisión de la elegibilidad de los niños a Medicaid, los expertos están preocupados por la cantidad de niñ…

Medicaid coverage during early life stages, even before birth, is linked to improved health outcomes for the next generation, according to a study published in American Economic Review. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Staggering Number of Ohio Kids Have Lost Medicaid Coverage

As kids' Medicaid eligibility review gets underway, experts are concerned about the number of Ohio children losing federal health insurance. Kelly …

In 2021, in the wake of the COVID outbreak, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a national state of emergency in children's mental health. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's Foster Care Crisis Forcing Hundreds of Kids to Sleep in Offices

By Cathy Candisky for the Public Children Services Association of Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Public Children Services …

Ohio survivor Christa Hullaby now helps other domestic violence survivors working to build a new life. (Christa Hullaby)<br />

After Years of Budget Cuts, Ohio Boosts Support for Domestic Violence Survivors

Advocacy groups say a $20 million statewide funding increase will help rebuild community domestic violence services after years of budget cuts…

Gun-related deaths among children and teens are increasing, and no state is exempt from the effects of the growing epidemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Kids Call for Action on Gun Violence

Gun-related deaths among children and teens are growing, and no state is exempt from the effects of the growing epidemic. According to the Centers …

Ohio and many other states have recently passed DEI-related legislation, calling into question what can be taught in classrooms. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Educators Concerned About Impact of DEI Legislation

By Nya Brunson / Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Central State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Higher education …

Between 8 million and 24 million people nationwide are expected to lose Medicaid coverage during the unwinding of the continuous enrollment provision, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

OH Expects 280K Residents Will Likely Lose Medicaid Coverage This Year

Ohio's Medicaid rolls saw a nearly 800,000-person boost during the pandemic, swelling to a total of 3.6 million, but the number is expected to drop …

Pre-pandemic, nearly 100,000 schools served lunches to around 29 million students each day, including, more than 20 million free lunches, according to the School Nutrition Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio Governor Signs Budget Including No-Cost School Meals

More Ohio students who qualify for reduced-priced meals will now be able to eat breakfast and lunch at school, even if their families cannot pay for …

Ohio resident and foster parent Teri DeVoe with her family. (Teri DeVoe)

More Ohio Foster Parents Working Toward Reunification

June is National Reunification Month, and in Ohio more foster parents view themselves as active players working to reconnect children separated from …

In 2021, some 53% of working adults ages 25 to 54 were parents, and more than a third of those parents had young children, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe stock)<br />

Child Care Crisis a Barrier to Economic Mobility for Ohio Families

Ohio ranks 29th among states in overall child well-being, according to the latest Annie E. Casey Foundation Kids Count Data Book. Child care …

Ohio's public schools serve 1.6 million students of all races, backgrounds, genders and abilities, but diversity is not reflected in the state's education workforce, according to the Ohio Education Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Ohio College Programs Seek to Boost Black Teacher Workforce

Ohio's historically Black colleagues and universities are working to produce a pipeline of diverse teachers. Black students make up nearly 17% of …

Ohio resident and former foster youth Kurt Holden beat the odds, graduating from college and receiving his master's degree. (Kurt Holden)

College-Bound Ohio Foster Youths Face Barriers Accessing Resources

Foster youths transitioning to adulthood are being left behind when it comes to college degree attainment and resources. New data from the Annie E…

Samantha, in the yellow dress, on her adoption day. The Dave Thomas Foundation is celebrating reaching 13,000 adoptions in both the United States and Canada.(Aaryn McGregor)

In Ohio, Recruiters Help Older Kids in Foster Care Find Their Forever Family

Adoption recruiters in Ohio are helping older kids transition out of foster care and begin life with the right family. Aaron McGregor, a nurse from …

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