Early Childhood Education / Public News Service

Many of Missouri's working parents have limited and often unaffordable access to quality child care, resulting in

Monday, October 2, 2023

MO loses $1.35 billion annually due to child care issues

Among Missouri parents surveyed, 30% reported they have limited their working hours or stopped altogether because of unreliable child care. The …

Michigan is among 20 states to receive a multiyear grant from the Pritzker Children's Initiative. (SneakyPeakPoints/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

MI coalition gets cash influx to improve childcare

The coalition known as "Think Babies Michigan" has secured more than $36 million in funding to offer grants to child-care providers for infants and to…

Estimates showed if the House budget is passed, some 750,000 eligible people - primarily toddlers, preschoolers, and postpartum adults - could be turned away from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. (Adobe Stock)

Justice group: Congressional budget cuts will hurt vulnerable New Jerseyans

Economic justice advocates in New Jersey are calling on Congress to avoid deep cuts in the 2024 federal budget proposed by a small group of hard-line …

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…

In the Natural State, 33% of children from birth to age 6 are eligible for a Child Care & Development Block Grant subsidy under federal rules, on average, each month. (Bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)<br />

AR Adds 260 Child Care Providers, But Funding Crisis Looms

Across the country and in Arkansas, some day care providers face the threat of closure when federal government aid initiated during the pandemic …

Approved uses of funds from the $24 billion in Child Care Stabilization Grants for providers included personnel costs, recruitment and retention; mortgage, rent and utilities, and facility upgrades. (Firn/Adobe Stock)

COVID Relief for Providers Ends as NE Childcare Funding Gap Grows

For many in Nebraska's child-care industry, which was struggling even before the pandemic, the "Child Care Stabilization" funds in the American …

While you may feel too busy to de-stress, you can decide to take back your

Simplify Family Schedule to Decrease Stress, Boost Heart Health

As fall classes and after-school activities are in full swing, Missouri families can feel pressure to do it all, but the American Heart Association …

Some 23% of children served in Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Programs in Pennsylvania are non-Hispanic Black, compared to 41% of children identifying as non-Hispanic White.<br />(Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Charting a Path to Equitable Access for PA Early Learning System

The Keystone State has some work to do to provide more access to quality pre-Kindergarten programs for the youngest Pennsylvanians. Only 43% of …

The Indiana Literacy Organization says children who lack good reading skills in their early years are prone to leaving school without a diploma, which can lead to perpetuation of a cycle of poverty and illiteracy. (Adobe Stock)

State Kicks In to Help Boost Literacy Rates for IN Children

Reading may not be a favorite activity for some kids, but a new program aims to change that - by sending books directly to their homes. The Dolly …

According to the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, the poverty rate for early-childhood educators in Alabama is 17.2%, much higher than for Alabama workers in general, at 11.3%. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline Here for Alabama DHR Childcare Grants

Today is the last day for licensed child care providers in Alabama to apply for Child Care Workforce Stabilization grants from the state. Child care …

Unlike temporary expansions at the start of the pandemic, free school meals for all Minnesota K-12 students are now permanent. (Adobe Stock)

MN Implements 'No-Cost Meals' for All Students

With back-to-school season here, Minnesota is implementing no-cost meals for all students, regardless of family income. As districts prepare…

Arkansas is the 32nd largest school system in the U.S., serving more than a half million students between public and private schools. (Nina/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Navigating Back-to-School Challenges in Rural Arkansas

More than a half million Arkansas kids are back at school for the fall, and districts across the state face different challenges. For some in rural …

In 2021, New York received $626,590,038 in federal funding for the Head Start program. (Adobe Stock)

NY Children Face Severe Impacts of Proposed Head Start Cuts

Congress is divided on how to fund the Head Start program in its upcoming appropriations bill. While the Senate is keen on investing more money for …

Teachers could use the new Maine Climate Hub to teach students about the Gulf of Maine, which is considered one of the fastest-warming ocean regions on the planet. (Adobe Stock)

ME Students Benefit from New Climate Change-Related Education Tool

Educators in Maine will have a new online resource this school year to help them teach what they say is one of the most challenging subjects: climate …

The national average cost for child care was nearly $11,000 in 2022, according to a study by Child Care Aware of America. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: More WV Parents Would Work Full-Time with Affordable Child Care

Half of West Virginia voters who are parents working part-time or less say they'd go back to full-time work if they had access to quality child care a…

Retail experts say the cost of electronics that students need has become a driving factor in the overall rise of school supply expenses. (Adobe Stock)

Amid Budget Pressure, Low-Income Minnesotans Get School-Supply Relief

The average U.S. household will spend nearly $900 on back-to-school supplies this year, and in Minnesota, poverty-fighting organizations are …

Indoor air is three to four times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)

UT Schools Get Free Purifiers to Combat Poor Air Quality

A majority of K-12 schools and day-care centers in Utah have received free air purifiers as a result of a federal grant given to the Utah Department o…

Because of increased revenues in the recently passed state budget, many public school districts across Massachusetts will see the minimum aid per student double from $30 to $60. (Adobe Stock)

MA Lawmakers Approve Tuition Equity for Undocumented Students

Students won big in the recently approved Massachusetts state budget. Lawmakers approved an additional $150 million in financial aid for students …

In the 2018-2019 academic year, the Indiana Dept. of Education identified 16,380 unhoused students enrolled in Indiana schools, or about 1.5% of the total student population. (Adobe Stock)

A New Resource for Indiana Youth Facing Homelessness

The number of homeless adults in Indiana was at a troubling level even before the pandemic, and today, another demographic is facing the same …

Pennsylvania's 500 school districts range in size from approximately 200 students to more than 140,000 students. (WavebreakmediaMicro/AdobeStock)

PA State Budget in Limbo Over Private School Voucher Plan

Pennsylvania is still operating without a budget as the new school year approaches. House Bill 611 is now in the state Senate. It would provide more …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Adverse Childhood Experiences can have lasting effects on a person's health, behaviors and life. (TSViPhoto/Adobe Stock)

Hope for Michigan's Victims of Toxic Childhood Stress

Caregivers should be on alert for stressors among youth during the summer when children are spending more time at home. Adverse Childhood …

Child care prices for a single child ranged from $4,810 for school-age home-based care in small counties, to $15,417 for infant center-based care in very large counties, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)<br />

KY Child Care Providers Face Uncertain Future as Federal Funding Runs Out

New federal data show child care expenses are out of reach for most families, and in Kentucky, providers are struggling to keep their doors open…

According to the Pew Research Center, about six in 10 U.S. parents say the first year of the pandemic had a negative effect on their children's education. (Adobe Stock)

In Ohio, Pushback Grows Against Holding Kids Back Based on a Single Reading Test

After Ohio's State Board of Education passed a resolution urging the General Assembly to eliminate the requirement for third-grade students who have n…

For more than 40 years, the Summer Food Service Program in Indiana has provided children ages 18 and under with free, nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months. (Adobe Stock)

Indiana's Summer Meal Programs in Full Swing

Children living in income-restricted households do not always have regular access to healthy meals, especially when school is out. Almost 200 summer …

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 …

Research shows students who do not read over the summer lose two to three months of reading proficiency, but reading four to six books has the potential to stop, mitigate or reverse the

Fostering Early Literacy in Tennessee for a Brighter Future

To help combat learning loss and strengthen early literacy in Tennessee, the Gov.'s Early Literacy Foundation is spearheading efforts to promote …

According to Salary.com, Missouri child care workers typically earn between $32,581 and $41,250 annually. (lordn/Adobe Stock)

MO Child Care Experts Elaborate on Issues in 2023 Kids Count Report

The resounding theme of the 2023 Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book is child care shortages and unaffordability. In Missouri, the …

Eight of 10 distressed communities are rural, and 60% of the residents in those counties are people of color, according to the group Rural Organizing. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Rebuild Rural America Act Could Counter Economic Decline in Rural Ohio

Rural Ohio towns could see boosts in economic development projects, and investments in workforce development, emergency preparedness and water and …

There were 7,547 charter schools throughout the United States in the 2019-2020 school year, compared with 1,993 in the 2000-2001 school year, according to Statista. (Adobe Stock)

Parents, Teachers Sue Over Montana School Privatization

A coalition of parents and public-school teachers has sued to prevent the privatization of schools in Montana. Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed House …

In 2017-2018, boys of nearly all races were disproportionately disciplined, but Black boys in pre-K through 12th grade were suspended and expelled at proportions three times their enrollment, according to the U.S. Department of Education. (Seventyfour/AdobeStock)

Restorative Practices Strengthening Relationships with PA Students, Communities

Restorative practices have gained a foothold in Pennsylvania schools as districts look for ways to reduce suspensions and improve their school climate…

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)

New Data Shows Well-Being of Kentucky Kids Worsens

The latest Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book shows Kentucky, along with other Appalachian and Southeastern states, ranks in the bottom …

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 …

Report: More West Virginia Parents Not Working due to Childcare Issues

Thirteen percent of young children in West Virginia lived in families in which someone quit their job or refused a job because of responsibilities wit…

One measure of children's well-being has not improved in Louisiana. The number of kids in poverty remained at 27% between 2019 and 2021, according to the new Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

Report: LA Remains Stagnant in Overall Child Well-Being

A new annual report finds Louisiana has stagnated on measures to improve children's well-being. The Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey …

In Oklahoma, 21% of children lived in poverty in 2021. (Irina K./Adobe Stock)

Report Ranks OK Among Worst in Child Well-Being

Oklahoma ranks in the bottom five in a new report on child well-being. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's annual Kids Count Data Book ranks the state 4…

The Kansas rankings in the 2023 Kids Count Data Book include: 17th in overall child well-being; 22nd in health; 24th in family and community, and 26th in education. (Adobe Stock)

High Ranking On 'Economic Well-Being' Not Helping All KS Families

Kansas ranks seventh among states in the area of economic well-being in the 2023 Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book. Rankings on the …

While most health data for South Carolina children showed declines in this year's Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book, the number of kids without health insurance improved slightly. (Adobe Stock)

Report: SC Children Need Critical Health Improvements

A new annual report finds South Carolina could be doing better to support children's health. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's latest Kids Count Data …

Idaho ranks fifth in the nation among states in the Family and Community category of a new report on child well-being. (Douglas Hughmanick/Adobe Stock)

ID Ranks High in Child Well-Being, But Child Care Costs Concerning

Idaho ranks fairly high compared to other states in a new report on children's well-being, but the high cost of child care lurks as a burden for …

Native American advocates say this week's Supreme Court decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act ultimately protects tribal culture and heritage by ensuring there will be continued efforts to keep Native children in their community environments if they're considered for adoption or foster care. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal Advocates Feel 'Relief' After SCOTUS ICWA Ruling

Tribal advocates are cheering a U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday which allows a landmark law dealing with child welfare cases to stand. It …

Rhode Island's average annual cost of infant care is $13,696, equating to $1,141 per month, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The state ranks 13th among states for most expensive infant care. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Affordable Child Care Needed to Help RI Families

A new annual report finds Rhode Island families need better access to affordable child care. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book …

American families say the lack of cost-effective and available child care is a major problem in their lives, according to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book. (Adobe Stock)

MI Finishes in Bottom Half of Child Well-Being Rankings

Michigan continues to be ranked in the bottom half of U.S. states for child well-being, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book. This year's …

In the 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Nevada ranks 46th in education, 38th in health, and 44th in family and community factors that affect children. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Nevada Near Bottom of List for Children's Well-Being

Nevada is not making the cut when it comes to children's well-being in the state. According to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book, out this week…

The rate of children under age 19 without health insurance dropped to 5% in 2021, an estimated 4,165,000 million kids nationwide, down from 6% in 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. (Adobe Stock)

Healthy Kids Study Shows Dramatic Lack of Montana Child Care

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book ranks Montana 18th nationally in overall child well-being. The just-released numbers showed …

Advocates for families say the failings of the child care market also affect the current and future health of Vermont's economy, costing the state $195 million a year in lost earnings, productivity and tax revenue, according to one study. (Adobe Stock)

Lack of Available Child Care Impacts VT Economy, Families

Vermont ranks fourth in the nation on measures of child well-being, according to a new report. The 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

A new report found in 2021, 12% of New Jersey children under age 6 lived in families in which someone quit, changed, or refused a job because of issues with child care. (Digital Skillet/Adobe Stock)

Report: Affordable Child Care Hard to Find in NJ

Many New Jersey families are having a very hard time paying for child care, according to the new 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey …

The new Kids Count Data Book indicates 54% of 3- and 4-year-olds in Maryland were not enrolled in preschool programs between 2017 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Maryland Ranks 21st for Child Well-being

The new Kids Count Data Book found the child care system still struggling in the wake of the pandemic. The Annie E. Casey Foundation report showed …

The Kids Count Data Book reports in 2020-21, 15% of children from birth to age 5 in Arkansas lived in families in which someone quit, changed, or refused a job because of problems finding or affording child care. (ShunTerra/Adobe Stock)

Report: Arkansas Ranks 43rd in Child Well-Being

A new report found Arkansas consistently ranks toward the lowest 10 states for child well-being. The annual Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

The 2023 Kids Count Data Book reports the median pay for child care workers, who typically must hold a range of credentials, was $28,520 per year or $13.71 an hour in 2022. (Cherryandbees/Adobe Stock)

'Kids Count' Data Show Some Improvement for TN Children

The annual Kids Count Data Book by the Annie E Casey Foundation ranked Tennessee 36th among the states for children's well-being. The report found …

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