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Data from the Electric School Bus Initiative finds Virginia is one of the top states to own and purchase clean school buses. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

VA sees more school districts shift to clean buses

Virginia kids are heading back to school in a more environmentally friendly way. School districts and counties statewide are making the switch to …

Los datos de la Electric School Bus Initiative encuentran que Virginia es uno de los principales estados en poseer y comprar autobuses escolares limpios. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 16, 2024

En VA más distritos escolares adoptan autobuses limpios

Los niños de Virginia regresan a la escuela de una manera más amigable con el medio ambiente. Los distritos escolares y los condados de …

The number of youths held in juvenile justice facilities fell by 75% between 2000 and 2022. (Jan H. Anderson/Adobe Stock)

Study: Youth incarceration is declining but challenges remain

Youth incarceration has declined significantly in Virginia and around the country since 2000, according to a new report but disparities and …

A recent report found about 40% of Virginia's kindergarteners still need to build literacy, math and/or social skills. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

New poll: Voters remain concerned about cost of child care

A new poll found voters remain concerned about the high cost of living and want the government to do more to lower their expenses. More than nine in …

Ninety-five percent of people between 13 and 17 report using some form of social media. (Drazen/Adobe Stock)

Experts offer social media tips as VA kids head back to school

It is back-to-school time, and health experts are offering tips about improving children's physical and mental well-being. The advice comes amid a …

A JLARC study finds childcare is unaffordable for 85% of Virginia households. (Adobe Stock)

State investments help bolster VA's flailing childcare industry

Virginia is making a financial investment to help tackle the state's childcare shortage. This year's budget allocates more than $1 billion to …

One in eight undergraduate students at Virginia public colleges is also a parent. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA public college policies can help student parents

A new report examines how Virginia public colleges can help student parents. The Urban Institute report reviews three policies schools can …

1 de cada 8 estudiantes universitarios en las universidades p�blicas de Virginia son padres estudiantes. (Adobe Stock)

Políticas de universidades públicas de VA pueden ayudar a padres estudiantes

Un nuevo informe examina cómo las universidades públicas de Virginia pueden ayudar a los padres estudiantes. El informe del Urban Institute …

The Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Book finds 13% of Virginia kids live in poverty, a figure that has stagnated from previous years. However, it is lower than the national average of 16%. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA economic instability disrupts kids’ well-being

A new report finds Virginia's economic instability disturbs kids' well-being. The Annie E. Casey Kids Count Data Book ranks Virginia 16th nationwide …

As of June 2023, the World Resources Institute estimates there are 2,277 electric school buses on order, delivered, and operating in the U.S. (Adobe Stock

VA school districts, parents working to get electric school buses

By Elizabeth McGowan for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for Virginia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

Cavities are a consistent problem for kids. The CDC found more than half of kids ages 6-8 have had a cavity in at least one baby tooth. And more than half of kids ages 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one permanent tooth. (Adobe Stock)

VA pediatric dentists find online appointments growing

As part of Children's Dental Health Month, Virginia pediatric dentists are working to improve kids' dental health habits. Recent surveys indicated …

On average, school divisions across the country receive 14% more per student than those in Virginia, or about $1,900 more per student than Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

VA child advocates calling for increased school funding

Virginia child advocates are calling on state lawmakers to improve school funding. The concern grew when several bills focused on building up school …

Part of Gov. Glenn Youngkin's budget proposal calls for a $24 billion public school investment. This is coupled with an almost $1 billion increase to support teachers, students and parents, up from the previous budget. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Proposed VA budget doesn’t meet community needs

Virginia advocates feel Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed budget isn't meeting community needs. Youngkin's 2024-2026 budget is built around numerous …

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," …

Around 41% of low-income parents and 45% of middle-income parents noticed a negative attitude in their child's behavioral and physical health when they don't have enough to eat. (Adobe Stock)

Surveys: Families' food insecurity grows ahead of Thanksgiving

New surveys find food insecurity has risen in Virginia and across the U.S. No Kid Hungry's survey finds more than half of families in Virginia said …

A 2023 National PTA survey finds 72% of parents support schools having mental health resources. (Adobe Stock)

This Wednesday: Youth mental health summit in VA

Today is World Mental Health Day, and this week a Virginia group is focusing on youth mental health at a special summit. Speakers at "Beyond Trauma: …

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 …

An Annie E. Casey Foundation report finds the number of kids entering foster care because of neglect increased from 29% in 2006 to 48% in 2021. But, the report finds fewer kids entered foster care because of behavioral issues during the same period. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More Support Needed for VA Foster Kids

A recent report finds foster kids in Virginia and the U.S. need better support to transition out of the foster-care system. The Annie E. Casey …

Virginia ranked 48th in Mental Health America's 2023 State of Mental Health report for youth mental health, which indicated higher rates of mental illness among the state's youth and little access to care. (Adobe Stock)

Survey: Parents Worried About Student Mental Health

A recent survey from the National PTA found student mental health is a top-of-mind issue for parents across the U.S. The survey showed 72% of …

According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2.8% (14,400) high school students smoke in Virginia. The percentage of high schoolers who use e-cigarettes is 14.3%, slightly higher than the percentage of adults who smoke, 12.4%. (Adobe Stock)

VA Groups Aim to Reduce Youth Tobacco Use

Virginia groups are using different methods to warn young people about the dangers of smoking. Along with tobacco-free parks, the state has taken …

According to a 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation study, 57% of schools reported having insufficient access to licensed mental health professionals. (Adobe Stock)

VA Works to Improve Residents' Mental Health

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Virginia is working to improve the mental health of its residents. In Mental Health America's 2023 State …

According to a Gallup poll, only 14% of Republicans have confidence in public schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. This is down from 34% in 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Congressional Hearing Re-Examines AFT COVID-19 Pandemic Plan

GOP lawmakers are questioning teacher's unions about school closure policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 26, Randi Weingarten, president …

Seg�n una encuesta de Gallup, solo el 14 % de los republicanos tiene confianza en las escuelas p�blicas despu�s de la pandemia de COVID-19. Esto ha bajado del 34% en 2020. (Adobe Stock)

Audiencia del Congreso vuelve a examinar el plan de pandemia AFT COVID-19

Los legisladores republicanos están cuestionando a los sindicatos de docentes sobre las políticas de cierre de escuelas durante la pandemia …

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 …

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 …

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 48% of schools surveyed felt inadequate funding was one reason they couldn't effectively provide mental-health services to students. (Adobe Stock)

Legislation Aims to Improve VA School Mental-Health Services

Virginia's General Assembly is reviewing legislation to improve mental health services in schools. Currently, Virginia ranks 48th among states for …

According to federal research, 72% of kids that will lose their Medicaid converge will remain eligible. It also finds Black and Latino families are at greater risk of losing coverage. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA Kids Could Lose Health-Care Coverage

Medicaid's continuous renewal policy will conclude as the COVID-19 pandemic relief program comes to an end in the spring. Instead, states will have …

Seg�n una investigaci�n federal, el 72 % de los ni�os que perder�n su cobertura de Medicaid seguir�n siendo elegibles. Tambi�n encuentra que las familias negras y latinas corren un mayor riesgo de perder la cobertura. (Adobe Stock)

Informe: Niños podrían perder cobertura de atención médica en VA

La política de renovación continua de Medicaid concluirá cuando la pandemia de COVID-19 llegue a su fin en la primavera. En cambio…

According to the Columbia University Center on Poverty and Social Policy, the expanded child tax credit helped reduce child poverty, reduce food insufficiency, and help families afford basic necessities. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Calling for Child Tax Credit Revival

Family and child advocates are hoping to see a revival of the expanded Child Tax Credit approved by Congress by the end of this year. According to …

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, 31% of all middle- and high-school students surveyed said they used a tobacco product in the last 30 days. (Adobe Stock)

More Than 3 Million Youths Use Tobacco Products Across U.S.

A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration finds a little more than 3 million kids nationwide use …

A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates permanently expanding the child tax credit would cost $97 billion per year. But, it would generate social benefits with net present value of $982 billion per year. (Adobe Stock)

VA Families Urge Revival of Child Tax Credit

It's been about a year since Virginia families last received funds from the U.S. Child Tax Credit, and they want it to be reinstated. According to …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, youths who bully others are at increased with for substance abuse, academic issues, and experiencing violence in adolescence and as an adult. (Adobe Stock)<br />

As Bullying Prevention Awareness Month Ends, Prevention Efforts Continue

As National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month comes to a close, experts are reminding Virginians to be aware of the patterns within bullying…

A 2021 study by the nonprofit Mental Health America found only 60% of youths experiencing depression received any type of mental health treatment. (Adobe Stock)

VA Kids' Mental Health Still Strained from Pandemic

With a new school year beginning, Virginia parents are being urged to keep an eye on their children's mental health. According to Mental Health …

Kids who grow up in poverty are more than two times more likely to develop mental-health conditions than their peers. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Shows Slow Progress on Kids' Economic Stability

For the second consecutive year, Virginia ranks 13th in an annual snapshot of child well-being. In the new 2022 Kids Count Data Book, the state …

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 18 other states and Washington, D.C., have implemented similar Medicaid expansions, which require the approval of the federal government. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid Expansion Aims to Help Virginia Mothers, Newborns

CORRECTION: The website where Virginians can register for Medicaid has been corrected. (8:45 p.m. MST, July 11, 2022) New Virginia mothers now are …

According to the Center for American Progress, low-income women and women of color are more likely to rely on infant formula. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia's Rural Mothers Face Long-Standing Access Issues for Infant Formula

Over the past several months, parents across Virginia and the country have struggled to find baby formula, particularly in rural communities…

The Federation of Virginia Food Banks' seven regional food banks distributed approximately 165 million pounds of food in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Food Banks Seek Support Amid High Inflation, Supply-Chain Issues

Virginia's food banks are facing a perfect storm of issues. High inflation for everyday goods is driving up food costs for lower-income families…

A leak of thousands of internal documents to journalists in 2021, detailing how social media giant Facebook handled everything from the January 6th insurrection to mental health issues among young women and girls. (Adobe Stock)

Facebook Whistleblower, Health Experts Discuss Social Media's Impact on Kids

Last year, a whistleblower at Facebook lifted the curtain on how the platform, and its sister companies, impact young kids' mental health. Frances …

According to The Sentencing Project, more than one in four kids are detained upon their arrest. (Adobe Stock)

Virginia Bill Proposes Public Health Approach to Juvenile Justice

The Virginia General Assembly has given bipartisan approval to a measure one advocate believes could lead to significant changes to the Commonwealth's…

According to the Pew Research Center, about 7% of parents report their children's screen time has diminished since the pandemic began. (Adobe Stock)

VA Department of Education Offers Guidance for Students Learning Virtually

As many Virginia schools pivot back to temporary virtual learning, some students are spending more time in front of screens. In response, the …

Of Arlington, Va., public school students ages 12 to 15, 92% are vaccinated against COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

School Clinics Boost COVID Vaccine Rates for VA Youth

RICHMOND, Va. -- As schools in Virginia face staffing challenges due to COVID-19 outbreaks, Gov. Ralph Northam wants to get more eligible students …

The American Heart Association recommends schools avoid overly harsh discipline as kids and families readjust to the in-person school schedule during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Protecting Kids' Mental Health Top Priority as VA Schools Reopen

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. -- With many Virginia schools starting up next week, experts say parents and teachers need to take extra steps to protect …

The expanded Child Tax Credit gives families $250 to $300 every month per child and can be used for anything the family needs, such as groceries, rent or utilities. (Adobe stock)

Child Tax Credit Expansion Seen as Major Boost for Virginia Families

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. -- Beginning last week, thousands of Virginia families with children saw more money in their bank accounts as the federal …

El Cr�dito Tributario por Hijos ampliado les da a las familias $ 250 o $ 300 cada mes por ni�o y puede usarse para cualquier cosa que la familia necesite, como comestibles, alquiler o servicios p�blicos. (Stock de Adobe)

Expansión de crédito tributario por hijos es un impulso mayor para familias de Virginia

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. -- A partir de la semana pasada, miles de familias con niños en Virginia percibieron más dinero en sus cuentas …

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…

Enrollment in Virginia's child-care assistance program declined 27% during the pandemic. (Adobe stock)

New Virginia Law Helps More Families Get Child Care

RICHMOND, Va. - To assist more parents looking for or returning to jobs as the pandemic begins to ease, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed …

Lack of paid leave has hurt many families during the pandemic, when child-care facilities closed. (Adobe stock)

Biden Infrastructure Plan to Include Family Leave

RICHMOND, Va. - President Joe Biden today is expected to announce his infrastructure stimulus plan to boost the pandemic recovery. In the coming …

Some Virginia grandparents raising grandchildren have had difficulties helping them navigate computers for online learning during the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

VA Officials Support Multigenerational Families in School Reopening

RICHMOND, Va. - As Virginia schools plan to reopen their doors again on Monday, changes from virtual learning during the pandemic have raised …

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VA: Children's