Youth Issues / Public News Service

A new student-led effort in Minneapolis, supported by the CDC's Preventing Violence Affecting Young Lives grants, is one of eight projects around the country to receive funding. (Adpbe Stock)

Student Peace Advisory Group Takes Flight in MN

Students may be settled into their summer break - but in Minnesota, some remain focused on setting a peaceful tone ahead of their return to school …

The share of crimes in the United States committed by young people has fallen by more than half over the past two decades, according to The Sentencing Project. (ThomasR�desheim/Pixabay)

Reports of Youth Crime Wave Debunked by Latest Research

New research by The Sentencing Project shows a drop in youth crime over the past 20 years, which debunks a so-called "false narrative" of a youth …

According to a report from The Sentencing Project, because most carjackings are not solved, there is no reliable age profile of the people committing the crime. (Adobe Stock)

Report Urges Supports for Young People, Not Tough-on-Crime Policies

New research found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from The …

Free school meal waivers passed by Congress during the pandemic reduced childhood hunger, supported academic achievement and improved student behavior. (Adobe Stock)

Clock Ticking Down on School Meal Waivers

Time is running out for Congress to extend school meal waivers passed during the COVID public health emergency to help cafeterias find creative ways t…

Supporters of the right to abortion care rallied in Las Vegas on Friday to protest the Supreme Court Decision. (Shelbie Swartz/Battle Born Progress)

Nevada Group Helps Abortion Seekers Travel to State

Nevada may become a magnet for abortion seekers from around the country, since the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to ban …

Only three states - Georgia, Texas and Wisconsin - continue to prosecute 17-year-olds in adult courts, according to The Sentencing Project. (AlexasFotos/Pixabay)

Report: Blaming Youth for COVID Crime Wave is False

Data from The Sentencing Project showed the share of crimes in the U.S. committed by young people has fallen by more than half in the past two …

According to a report from The Sentencing Project, because most carjackings are not solved, there is no reliable age profile of the people committing the crime. (Nomad_Soul/Adobe Stock)

Report: Youth Crime Way Down in Last 20 Years in NH, U.S.

New research found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from the …

Contraay to popular belief, youth crime did not surge during the pandemic and has been falling for two decades. (Digitalskillet1/Adobe Stock)

New Data Debunks Narrative of Youth Crime Wave

A new report from The Sentencing Project debunks the myth of a post-pandemic crime wave fueled by young people. In March, Congress held a hearing …

Advocates for and families of children and teens facing mental-health crises say emergency departments are not healthy for kids to stay in for days or weeks. (chrisdorney/Adobe Stock)

Mental-Health Program Provides Alternative to Emergency-Room Boarding

On a given day in Massachusetts, more than 100 children and teenagers are brought to hospital emergency rooms because they're facing a mental-health …

Student loan debt and stagnating wages are steering many young people into vocational and technical training over a four-year college degree. (Adobe Stock)

Vocational-Tech High Schools Could Help Lower TN Dropout Rate

Tennessee high school graduation rates have been declining over the past few years, and some experts believe providing more opportunities for …

Surveys show a third of households with children have a gun, and nearly half of gun-owning households with children do not store all of their firearms safely. (Adobe Stock)

'Public Health Emergency': Protecting Youth from Gun Violence

Congress continues to debate possible changes to the nation's gun laws after the recent school shooting in Texas. In the meantime, efforts move …

Despite moving away from detention, arrest referrals for young people in Multnomah County have decreased drastically since 2011. (md3d/Adobe Stock)

Despite Scare, Data Shows Youth-Led Crime Down Sharply

Crime rates among young people has dropped dramatically in recent decades - despite media coverage pointing toward a supposed "crime wave" led by yout…

Among many other calls to action, the Connecticut Justice Alliance is asking the state to invest in a more equitable education system, as "an investment in the success of youth and communities." (Adobe Stock)

CT Campaign Addresses Root Causes of Youth 'Criminalization'

Reducing the number of young people involved in the criminal justice system means working on the root causes which can lead them there. A youth …

Nevada has made progress in promoting restorative justice rather than youth incarceration. As of mid-June, the Nevada Department of Child and Family Services had 121 youths in custody. (Arloo/Adobe Stock)

Post-Pandemic Youth Crime Wave is a Myth: Report

A new report from The Sentencing Project debunks the myth of a post-pandemic crime wave fueled by young people. In March, Congress held a hearing …

Research has shown that gender-affirming health care can improve the mental health and overall well-being of gender-diverse children and young people. (Adobe Stock)

Arkansas Back in Court to Block Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

Oral arguments were held this week on an appeal blocking an Arkansas law from going into effect. The law would prevent young people from getting …

One in four high school seniors in the class of 2022 said they've changed their post-high school plans since the start of the pandemic. (shock/Adobe Stock)

MI Groups: New Census Data Underscores Need for Higher EITC

The latest county census data found Michigan's child poverty rate remains at 19%, and groups advocating for children and families say it is time to …

A report says because most carjackings are not solved, there's no reliable age profile of the people committing the crime. (Adobe Stock)

Report Discredits 'False' Stories of Youth-Led Crime Wave

New research found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are also fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from The …

About 45% of Wayne State University recent graduates started their education at other institutions. (llhedgehodll/Adobe Stock)

Wayne State Changes Transfer Credit Policy to Increase Access

A university in Michigan is seeking to make it easier for folks to obtain a bachelor's degree after attending community college, by removing barriers …

The University of Nevada Las Vegas is the biggest Hispanic Serving Institution in Nevada, and ranks 108 on the Economic Mobility Index. (Stan Shebs/Wikimedia Commons)

Ranking Colleges: Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Economic Mobility

Higher-education experts are promoting a new way to rank colleges and universities, proposing an Economic Mobility Index (EMI) measuring whether the …

Juvenile justice reform advocates in South Dakota say a lack of resources for diversion programs in some counties has created unintended consequences for a system overhaul several years ago. (Adobe Stock)

SD to Revisit Juvenile Justice Reform

This summer, South Dakota lawmakers are looking at a range of issues tied to the state's correctional system. That includes another dive into efforts …

Roughly half of students at CUNY Lehman College are Pell Grant recipients. (Wikimedia Commons)

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Help Get Students Over Finish Line

Advocates for equal access to education say college rankings traditionally prioritize characteristics such as selectivity and prestige over student su…

Americans owe nearly $1.75 trillion in student-loan debt, according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. (Adobe Stock)

Kentuckians Under “Crippling” Financial Stress from Student Loan Debt

Kentuckians collectively owe more than $20 million in student loan debt, and a new informal survey sheds light on how hefty student-loan payments …

A survey of high school seniors found 13% of English language learners plan to work a full-time job after graduation, compared with 6% of students who are not English language learners. (Methaphum/Adobestock)

Survey: More High School Seniors Feel Adrift Post-Pandemic

A new survey of 28,000 high school seniors found more than one in four changed their life plans during the pandemic. In 2019, 25% of students …

In 2020, 40% of children age 15 months and younger did not receive the recommended six or more well-child visits with a primary-care provider after birth, and 35% of children 30 months and younger did not receive the recommended two visits. (Adobe Stock)

More Colorado Children Getting Preventive Health Care

The percentage of Colorado children in their first 15 months receiving preventive medical and behavioral health services rose by 23% from 2013 levels…

For North Dakota's public colleges, average tuition fees are around $8,260 per year. (Adobe Stock)

ND Higher Education Still Affordable, But Accessibility Work Continues

North Dakota is among the top five states for college affordability. That ranking is in a new national report, and higher-education officials say …

For college students or young adults entering the workforce, analysts say short-term insurance plans can help with unexpected injuries or medical events before another plan kicks in. (Adobe Stock)

Preparing for College This Fall? Don't Forget Health Coverage

As graduating seniors in Massachusetts and around the U.S. carve out their immediate future, they are reminded to make health insurance a priority…

Pennsylvania ranks 45th in the nation for the share of K-12 school funding provided by the state. (Adobe Stock)

Report: PA Special Education Funding Leaves Students Behind

As the number of Pennsylvania students with disabilities rises, a new report says the share of state education funding has declined. Education …

There are 20 million AR-15 style rifles in circulation across the country - more guns than people, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. (RayShrewsberry/Pixabay)

Expert: Americans Feel Traumatized, Helpless About Gun Violence

Teachers, faith leaders and parents gathered Tuesday outside the Austin office of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. They're demanding action on gun safety …

Foster parents strive to build connections between children and their biological families. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Foster Parents: Providing Safety, Nurturing Families

National Foster Care Month in May celebrates Ohioans who care for children in times of crisis, and as the calendar turns, the focus shifts to an …

There's been a roughly 38% drop in drowning deaths over the past two decades. (Adobe Stock)

Keep Swimming Kids Safe with a 'Water Watcher'

With the unofficial start to summer, pools around Ohio are opening this Memorial Day weekend, and when it comes to swim time, experts encourage …

A 2019 report from the Economic Policy Institute found teacher shortages were especially acute in higher-poverty schools. (Adobe Stock)

Union Leaders Push for More Support for Students', Teachers' Mental Health

As the nation processes the horrific shooting in Uvalde, where 19 children and two teachers were killed, teachers' unions across Illinois and America …

Of 62 large districts surveyed, 98% identified challenges with supply-chain disruptions and labor shortages, and said providing school meals would be even greater if not for USDA child-nutrition waivers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: School Meal Waivers a Game Changer During Pandemic

During the COVID health emergency, Congress removed a lot of red tape in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) school meals programs, and a new …

Kids in 10th and 12th grades in New York City shelters had attendance rates below 70%, meaning they missed the equivalent of more than a week of school in a single month (Oct. 2021), according to a new policy brief. (Adobe Stock)

NYC Youth in Shelters Face School Attendance Challenges

New York City students in insecure housing situations continue to have alarmingly low school attendance rates, heightened by the pandemic. Youth …

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant is one of the career pathways young Missourians can train for through the St. Joseph Youth Alliance. (Adobe Stock)

MO Group Receives Grant to Help Young People Start Careers

The St. Joseph Youth Alliance has been awarded a YouthBuild Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, to help students earn their high school …

Georgetown researchers found that Black American women are the most likely to have to turn to student loans for college, and hold the most student loan debt, compared with their peers. (Adobe Stock)

Study: College Grads Twice as Likely to Have Good Jobs

By age 35, workers with a bachelor's degree or higher are about twice as likely as workers with just a high school diploma to have a good job - one …

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…

Beyond school counselors, parents and private providers, mental-health advocates urge faith-based and other community groups to provide safe spaces for kids dealing with stress and anxiety. (Adobe Stock)

IA Mental Health Voices: The Kids Aren't All Right

As the school year winds down, education leaders are shedding light on increased mental-health demands among students, including thoughts of suicide…

Keeping siblings together in foster care is a national best practice. (mytrykau/Adobe Stock)

MI Foster Care Agency: Youths, Families Need Wraparound Services

Michigan is taking steps to improve the child welfare system for National Foster Care Month. In Michigan, nearly a quarter of young people who are …

Around 40% of young people who've experienced care will experience homelessness. (Brian/Adobe Stock)

MA Group: Campus-Based Supports Needed for Former Foster Youth

May is National Foster Care Month, and groups that serve foster youths and families say improvements are needed for outcomes and to reduce …

Activities like hikes can help improve Idaho kids' mental health. (Brocreative/Adobe Stock)

HOPE Week Promotes Positive Experiences for Kids' Mental Health

May is mental health awareness month. As part of that, groups in Idaho are using HOPE Week to help kids in crisis and reduce the state's worrying …

The Degrees When Due initiative has identified more than 39,000 Iowa students who earned college credits, but outside factors forced them to put their education on hold. (Adobe Stock)

'Degrees When Due' Helps IA College Students Get Back on Track

Iowa has seen a 5% increase in the number of college students who left school without a degree. But some campuses are making it a priority to help …

The Degrees When Due initiative has identified nearly 60,000 Minnesota students who earned college credits, but outside factors forced them to put their education on hold. (Adobe Stock)

Program Helps MN Colleges Break Up the 'Stop Out' Pattern

The pandemic and other factors forced some Minnesota college students to put their academic careers on hold. Several schools around the state…

The Pennsylvania Council for Children, Youth and Family Services says a $94.7 million one-time funding increase would break down to about $5,000 for each filled and vacant position in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Child and Family Providers Request $94M to Address Staff Shortage

Advocates for juvenile-justice and child-welfare providers in Pennsylvania want the General Assembly to approve one-time funding to boost staff recrui…

This year, the theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is "Together for Mental Health." (Benjavisa Ruangvaree/Adobestock)

During Mental Health Awareness Month, CA Policymakers Mull Priorities

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and advocates are hoping Gov. Gavin Newsom will prioritize the issue in his revised budget, due by Sunday…

Seven in 10 parents say their kids have interacted with a smartphone before age 11. (dubova/Adobe Stock)

MI Educator: Engage With Your Kids' Social Media Use

During Mental Health Awareness Month, experts, parents and health professionals are spotlighting the effects of screens and social media on young …

The Journal of the American Medical Association says trans youths with access to gender-affirming care are 60% less likely to have moderate to severe depression and are 73% less suicidal. (MaryBettiniBlank/Pixabay)

States Form Coalition to Counter Anti-LGBTQ Bills

New Mexico and 18 other states have announced plans to introduce legislation they say will be needed to protect transgender kids from civil and crimin…

<a href= — Ohio teens are 4% less likely to have used drugs in the past month than the average teen in the United States. (Prevention Action Alliance)

Ohio Youth Council: Drug, Alcohol Use is Not the Norm

Hundreds of Ohio teens join together today to bust myths about teenage substance use. The "We Are The Majority" rally promotes the fact that most …

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