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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 …

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 …

While Virginia's ranking by Mental Health America for adult mental health improved from 2022 to 2023, its youth mental health ranking plummeted to one of the lowest in the nation during the same period. (Adobe Stock)

VA works to improve, better fund mental health services

Virginia is bolstering mental health care during and beyond Mental Health Month. Since the pandemic, the need for behavioral health services has …

When student demonstrators gather unopposed, data show police have intervened in pro-Palestine demonstrations four times more than pro-Israel demonstrations. (Suiren2022/Wikimedia Commons)

Virginia groups show support for ongoing college protests

Some Virginia groups are choosing to offer support to pro-Palestine student protestors. Recent weeks have seen more than 100 arrests of protestors …

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 …

KFF reported in 2021 the state saw 2,230 opioid overdose deaths, which accounted for 85% of drug overdose deaths in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)

VA group sets record straight on substance-use disorder

During National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, a Virginia group is working to help those dealing with substance abuse. The state's Department of …

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: …

A Lumina Foundation/Gallup poll finds one in four Hispanic students

Poll: Many Hispanic college students consider dropping out

A majority of Hispanic community college students tell pollsters they've wanted to leave school. The Lumina Foundation-Gallup poll finds 50% of …

Una encuesta de Lumina Foundation/Gallup encuentra que uno de cada cuatro estudiantes hispanos

Muchos estudiantes universitarios hispanos consideran abandonar sus estudios

La mayoría de los estudiantes hispanos de colegios comunitarios dicen a los encuestadores que querían dejar la escuela. La encuesta de la …

Between 2018 and 2021, maternal mortality rates spiked, according to the CDC. They peaked in 2021 at around 32%, with mothers age 40 and over having the largest increase in maternal mortality. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Works to Improve Maternal Health

A Virginia group is working to boost maternal health across the state. Since 2011, maternal mortality rates have increased across the U.S. but …

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 Virginia's Community College System, more than 146,700 students enrolled in community college in fall 2022, a 1.7% increase from the year before when only 144,215 students enrolled. (Virginia's Community College System)

VA Rural Community Colleges Make Comeback After Pandemic

Community colleges across Virginia are rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Virginia Community College System, the fall 2022 …

According to an America's Health Rankings report, excessive drinking can be linked to a variety of chronic illnesses, diseases and health problems, including hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, certain cancers, and memory and learning problems. (Adobe Stock)

VA Group Voices Concerns about Underage Drinking

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and Virginia groups are doing their part to educate people about alcohol abuse. The state ranked 22nd for …

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 the Youth Risk Behavior Survey from the CDC, one in three (30%) of teen girls considering attempting suicide in 2021, a 60% increase over the last decade. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Teen Girls Face Record High Levels of Sadness, Violence

The latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds teen girls are experiencing record high levels of sadness and violence…

Virginia law says all state agencies and institutions need to take

VA Bill Would Ban Withholding Student Transcripts for Debt Collection

As the Virginia General Assembly begins its new legislative session, one bill will be returning - with the goal of alleviating some student-debt …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 41,500 <a href=

farms operate on more than 7 million acres in Virginia. (Adobe Stock)">

Farmers Educating Kids About Agriculture to Understand Food System

Farmers in and around Virginia are working to educate children about agriculture and provide a deeper understanding of their work. These programs …

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 …

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…

According to a 2022 report from the American Heart Association, there are more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the United States each year, 90% of which are fatal. (Adobe Stock)<br />

CPR Education Helps VA Student Save Family Member’s Life

A Virginia high school student has found that the CPR training required for graduation is more helpful than she realized. Anjalia Bryant, a junior …

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 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 …

A new report from Georgetown University explains that opportunities to explore careers through field trips, career days and other activities should start as early as elementary school. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Build Back Better Could Help Prepare Youth for Employment

RICHMOND, Va. -- The pathway to a career has become more difficult for some in recent years, with many young people not landing the right job until …

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 …

Public schools need to minimize arrests at schools by using emergency mental-health teams instead of police officers to address behavioral incidents at school, according to a Sentencing Project report. (Adobe stock)

Report: Invest COVID Funds to Close School-to-Prison Pipeline

ARLINGTON, Va. -- As a Northern Virginia school system transitions away from using police officers in schools, a new report suggests COVID stimulus …

A new report that examines racial gaps between Black and white Virginians shows 60% of majority-Black neighborhoods in the state have eviction rates greater than 10%, quadruple the national average. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: Universities Offer New Cures for Closing Virginia’s Racial Gaps

RICHMOND, Va. - In response to last year's protests against racial injustice across the country, a new report shows cities such as Richmond are …

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 …

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…

For the second time in two years, Virginia has been awarded grant money by a national foundation to help college students of color achieve higher levels of success. (Adobe Stock)

VA Schools Awarded Grants to Boost Equity in Higher Ed

RICHMOND, Va. -- Several Virginia colleges and universities will share a large grant to help more students of color receive their degrees and have …

About 11% of Virginia families with children don't have health insurance, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Widens Racial Gap in Meeting VA Families' Basic Needs

RICHMOND, Va. - As the number of coronavirus deaths surpasses 300,000 in the United States, new research shows families with children are suffering …

La legislaci�n actualmente atorada en el Congreso patrocinar�a programas de capacitaci�n para maestros y otras ayudas financieras para futros profesores de color, para ayudar a diversificar la fuerza educativa en la educaci�n. (Adobe Stock)

Grupo Presiona al Congreso para Fondear Programa para la Diversidad en la Enseñanza

RICHMOND, Va. -- Una coalición de educadores y oficiales presiona al Congreso para fondear la iniciatdiva H.R. 4288, en favor de entrenar má…

New research shows a strong correlation between vaping and catching coronavirus. (Adobe stock)

Virginia Program to Reveal Link Between Vaping and COVID-19

RICHMOND, Va. -- Vaping and cigarette smoking are significant risk factors for COVID-19, according to new research from Stanford University published …

Summer Student Internship Aims to Solve COVID-19 Problems

ARLINGTON, Va. -- While many summer internships and jobs for students have been canceled because of COVID-19 shutdowns, one nonprofit has launched a …

The daily population in Virginia's youth detention centers plummeted by more than 50% from 2015 to 2018. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Leads to Powerful Drop in Juvenile Detention

RICHMOND, Va. -- Juvenile detentions have plummeted dramatically during the pandemic, according to a new report, bolstering efforts by reform groups…

La gente que considera regresar a la universidad deber�a cuidarse de un arbitraje forzado y las llamadas

Urgen a VA a poner fin a contratos restrictivos de inscripción a Educación Superior

RICHMOND, Va. -- Conforme sube el desempleo en la pandemia y más gente considera volver a la escuela, un grupo defensor de la educación …

About 33 percent of Virginia high school students have used e-cigarettes at some point, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)

VA Anti-Tobacco Bills Aim to Keep Teens from Smoking

RICHMOND, Va. -- Even as the Trump administration raised the age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21 last month, Virginia lawmakers have introduced …

The number of children without health insurance in the United States ballooned by more than 400,000 between 2016 and 2018, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More than 100,000 Virginia Children Don't Have Health Insurance

RICHMOND, Va. – More than 100,000 children in Virginia lack health insurance, according to a new report from the Georgetown University Center …

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VA: Youth