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Part of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Building Blocks for Virginia Families plan includes reducing child care educator shortages through a $1 million scholarship program, and another $10 million per year for child care educator incentives. (Adobe Stock)

Funding boost on the way for VA child care centers

In the new year, a new plan will put $448 million toward early childhood education in Virginia. Known as "Building Blocks for Virginia Families," …

Virginia ranked 48th in the 2023 State of Mental Health report undertaken by Mental Health America. This indicates higher rates of mental illness among the state's youth and little access to care. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA, US Children Need Better Health Supports

A new annual report found children in Virginia and across the U.S. need better health support. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book …

Un informe de Generation Hope sobre el acceso al cuidado infantil para los estudiantes padres encuentra que el 74 % de los encuestados dedica m�s de 30 horas semanales al cuidado de su hijo mientras asiste a la escuela. (Adobe Stock)

Padres estudiantes necesitan un mejor acceso al cuidado infantil

Un nuevo informe destaca la necesidad de un mejor acceso al cuidado infantil para los padres estudiantes universitarios. El informe, de Generation …

A report from Generation Hope about child care access for student parents finds 74% of respondents provide over 30 hours of care for their child while attending school. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Student Parents Need Better Access to Child Care

A new report highlights the need for better access to child care for college level student parents. The report, from Generation Hope, finds 92% of …

About 16% of Latino families with children in Virginia were uninsured in March 2021, compared with 8% of all households in the state, according to the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Virginia Must Improve Child Health Coverage for Latino Families

RICHMOND, Va. -- Children in Virginia are better off than in most states, but a new report said the Commonwealth needs to improve health outcomes…

In Virginia, 78,000 or 15 percent of young children (ages 0 to 4) live in hard-to-count census tracts, according to the 2018 KIDS COUNT Data Book. (Pixabay)

Potential 2020 Census Undercount Threatens VA Child Well-Being Index

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia continues to see great success when it comes to child well-being, ranked 10th in the nation in a new report, but …

DC, States Face Lead in Schools’ Drinking Water

RICHMOND, Va. -- In the wake of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, a new report says lead in schools' drinking water is a pervasive problem…

The Obama administration has been a strong proponent of Head Start nationally, but advocates say Virginia should do more to fill in the gaps between local programs. (Whitehouse.gov)

Report Highlights Gaps Between Head Start Programs

RICHMOND, Va. — Access to quality Head Start programs varies widely, according to new research. Children's advocates say Virginia can help …

Two in five Virginians live in areas without sufficient childcare to meet local families' needs, according to a new study. (Woodleywonderworks/Flickr)

Two in Five Virginians Live in "Child-Care Deserts"

RICHMOND, Va. — A new study shows that more than 3.25 million Virginians live in areas without enough childcare facilities to meet local needs…

Now that summer vacation has started, teachers are stressing the need to keep kids engaged in learning. (Woodley Wonderworks - Flickr)

Keep Kids Engaged in Learning to Avoid the Summer Slide

RICHMOND, Va. - With schools in Virginia out for the summer, educators stress that we should keep our young students connected to learning, to avoid …

Progress Virginia makes may in part depend on dealing with the one in six state children growing up in poverty. (Beatrice Murch/Wikipedia)

Child Poverty Could Drag Down VA's Future

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia risks its future if it fails to help the more than a quarter million children living in poverty, say child advocates…

Virginia is moving toward a smarter, more integrated approach to early-childhood development, say advocates for early learning. (National Institute For Early Education)

A Promising Approach to VA Early-Childhood Development

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia is taking a smart approach to early childhood development efforts, according to advocates of early learning. The state has …

Virginia is not doing a good job in providing quality preschool, according to a new report. (NIEER)

Report: Virginia Needs to Do Better on Early Education

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia isn't doing a good job on early education, according to a new report that says the state continues to lose ground, both in …

A new report is adding momentum to the push for more physical eduction in Virginia schools. (Pedro Dias/Flickr/Wikimedia)

Report: More P.E. Will Help VA Students, Schools

RICHMOND, Va. - A new national report is adding momentum to the movement for more physical education in Virginia schools. A new law will boost K-5 …

New numbers from the CDC show autism affects about 1 in 68 U.S. children, and that rate is steady. But doctors say more testing is needed. (Wikipedia)

Autism Rate Stable, But Docs Say Testing Needed

RICHMOND, Va. - April is National Autism Awareness Month and the numbers are holding steady in the U.S., according to the latest snapshot of autism …

Fewer than one in seven American women have access to paid maternity leave, a report finds. Credit: SolStock.

Investigation: U.S. Failing in Paid Time Off For Moms

RICHMOND, Va. - The U.S. is dramatically behind the rest of the world in providing adequate support for mothers to spend time with their newborn …

Medicaid is fifty years old, and research suggests it'd been very good for Virginia children. Photo courtesy National Institutes of Health.

Medicaid at 50: Huge Benefits for Virginia Kids

RICHMOND, Va. – Medicaid turns 50 years old this week, and the impact it's had on the lives of children is being praised, both by advocates and …

Children of Virginia's working poor haven't benefited enough from the economic recovery, according to the latest Kids Count survey. Photo courtesy Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.

Virginia Kids Doing Worse, State's Rankings Slip

RICHMOND, Va. – Children in Virginia are faring worse, and the state's ranking on key measures of caring for them has fallen, according to the …

PHOTO: While progress has been made nationally, Virginia saw a sight step back in the number of qualified, low-income children in summer feeding programs in the commonwealth in 2014. Photo courtesy of LetsMove.gov

After Steady Gains, Virginia Sees "Slight Dip" in Summer Feeding Programs

RICHMOND, Va. - More low-income children across the country are being fed school-style lunches during the summertime, but that number is somewhat …

PHOTO: A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation uses a U.S. Census Bureau calculator that factors in assistance programs, instead of the standard federal poverty measurement. And there's good news for Virginia, with fewer children in poverty. Photo credit: jarmoluk/pixabay.com

New Poverty Measure Uncovers Hidden Success Story in VA

RICHMOND, Va. - The measuring tool for poverty has been recalibrated, and the new calculation tells a success story for Virginia. A report released …

PHOTO: As a hunger-fighting strategy, the number of children getting breakfast in school is rising. More than 1,900 Virginia schools now serve breakfast, according to a new national report. Photo courtesy Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger.

More Virginia Students Get Breakfast at School

RICHMOND, Va. - More Virginia students are getting breakfast in school, according to a new report, and hunger-fighting advocates say the state can do …

PHOTO: One-year-old Joseph Allen died in a fire at an unlicensed child care business. But his grandfather says his grandson's story is helping to change the law. Photo from LuAnn and Herman Allen.

New Child-Care Rules: Reform Comes After A Tragic Death

RICHMOND, Va. – Bills now moving through the General Assembly would improve safety in child care, according to a grandfather pressing for the …

PHOTO: Outreach and efforts to increase access already are meaning more Virginia kids getting enough to eat, in school and out, according to First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe and the No Kid Hungry campaign. Photo courtesy of Drew Central Schools.

Success In Efforts To End Childhood Hunger in VA

RICHMOND, Va. - A new coalition including Virginia's First Lady already is seeing results in an effort to reduce childhood hunger. Organizers with …

PHOTO MONTAGE: According to a new report, helping children in poverty works best when you help the whole family at once. Courtesy of the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

VA Child Poverty Strategy: Kids Succeed When Families Succeed

RICHMOND, Va. - A new strategy - helping kids by helping their families - is offering promise for Virginia's poverty-fighting efforts. A new report …

PHOTO: Nutritionists recommend including some combination of two fruits and two vegetables in a child's lunchbox, and having them help with the selection and lunch-packing process. Photo courtesy of HealthyChild.org.

VA Parents: What's In Your Kid's Lunchbox?

RICHMOND, Va. - The start of the school year is just weeks away - and while there's no shortage of the latest backpacks and school-supply displays at …

GRAPHIC: The annual Kids Count data snapshot for Virginia shows improvements in education and health, but also rising poverty among the state's children. Credit: Annie E. Casey Foundation

Mixed Picture Shows Progress For VA Kids

RICHMOND, Va. - Big steps forward on education, teen safety and reductions in teen pregnancy - but also rising poverty - are reflected in the latest …

Virginia Delivers "Results" for Most Kids, but Racial Barriers Remain

RICHMOND, Va. - A comparison of how Virginia's kids are faring when it comes to health, wealth and education shows staggering barriers depending on …

PHOTO: Voices for Virginia's Children advocates expanding early childhood education to include more children. Photo credit: Voices for Virginia's Children

New Report: More VA Kids Living in Low-Income Households

RICHMOND, Va. - Although Virginia is considered one of the wealthiest states in the nation, it also has seen an increase in the percentage of kids …

PHOTO: The Virginia Education Association is blasting GOP candidate Ken Cuccinelli's proposal to amend the constitution to allow public funding of religious schools. Photo credit: SC.GOV

School Choice Emerging as VA Campaign Issue

RICHMOND, Va. - The debate over school choice is escalating in the Virginia governor's race. The state teacher's union has blasted Republican …

Graphic: The advocacy group Voices for Virginia's children says the costs associated with child care are especially worrisome.

Report: Child-Raising Costs Climbing

RICHMOND, Va. – The cost to have a child keeps climbing in the United States. The latest analysis from the U.S. Department of Agriculture …

GRAPHIC: The Strong Kids, Strong Virginia campaign releases a new poll about voter attitudes in Virginia.

New Survey Reveals Virginia Voter Attitudes

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia voters are evenly split in the race for governor, and overall, Virginians are pleased with the direction of the state…

Don't Forget the Kids!

RICHMOND, Va. - In just six months, Virginia voters will elect a new governor, lieutenant governor and a host of other state and local officials…

Report: 3rd Grade Reading Skills Predict High School Graduation

RICHMOND, Va. - Children struggling with reading in third grade are more likely to miss out on a high school diploma, according to a new study that …

Report: Where the Federal Stimulus Money Went in VA

RICHMOND, Va. - Thousands of homes and jobs were lost in The Commonwealth during what is being called "The Great Recession," and a new report shows …

Shopping for Tots? Keep it Simple, Santa

RICHMOND, Va. - Those battery-operated digital wonder toys have their place, but experts say the best way to help younger children develop creativity …

26 VA Schools Taking “Green" Matters into Their Own Hands

RESTON, Va. - As kids head back to school this week after the holiday break, there are students at 26 schools around the Commonwealth taking "green" …

Some Back-to-School Products & "Bounce Houses" Spell Danger for VA Kids

RICHMOND, Va. - Backpacks, lunchboxes and binders; what seem like helpful back-to-school supplies for Virginia kids could actually do more harm than …

Getting VA Kids Checked Out Before They Go Back to School

RICHMOND, Va. - Back-to-school time for kids also means greater exposure to more germs and illnesses. So, Community Health Centers across the state …

National Summer Learning Day: Keeping VA Kids Interested All Summer

RICHMOND, Va. - School is out for the summer, and today kicks off the start of continued learning and inspiration for kids throughout the summer …

Updated Guidelines on Preventing Drowning Deaths for Children

RICHMOND, Va. - The summer swimming season is here, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has revised its guidelines on how to keep children …

Environmental Health Risks: Not Just Cancer

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A recent report delivered to President Obama by a special panel appointed by President Bush warned that the risk of cancer from …

State Report Outlines Four Goals to Lower Poverty

RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia has a new "to-do" list when it comes to reducing poverty. A report from Virginia's Poverty Reduction Task Force provides a …

Report: Dramatic Rise in TV Violence against Teen Girls

RICHMOND, Va. - It's enough to make any Virginia parent squirm with discomfort - and then change the channel. A new study comparing five years of …

Low-Income Students Most Harmed by Gov's Plan to Cut School Support Staff

RICHMOND, Va. - Gov. Tim Kaine's office wants to close the state's $3.7 billion shortfall in part by cutting funding for school secretaries and other …

All Four Gubernatorial Candidates Address Teachers' Union

Hampton Roads - For the first time in recent history, all four gubernatorial candidates participated in a forum on education at the same time…

Virginia Students Celebrate 'Read Across America'

Richmond, VA - This week, thousands of Virginia schoolchildren will take part in the National Education Association "Read Across America" celebration …

Teachers Say Voucher Plan for Autistic Students Far Less Than Current Dollars

Richmond - Virginia educators are criticizing a proposed voucher plan for autistic students that, if passed, would reduce the state's contribution to …

Teachers Fear Education Cuts Will Do Lasting Damage

Richmond – Virginia educators say proposed cuts to education have no expiration date and thus will lower standards for years to come. Both …

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VA: Early Childhood Education