Kerry Venegas struggles to sleep these days, worrying about the 55 children who will lose services once her Humboldt County nonprofit closes an outpatient counseling program in January. David Mineta gets emotional when he talks about his organization’s decision to close six mental health programs serving about 650 children and adults in Santa Clara County […]
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California Bills to Expand State Tax Credits Could send $1 Billion to Low-income Families
When Reyna Bonilla lost her job cleaning hotel rooms in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, she used tax credits and other pandemic relief to chip away at past-due rent so she and her two children could stay in their Koreatown apartment in Los Angeles. This year things are different. Bonilla cleans homes a […]
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Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences is Increasing, but are Patients Getting Treatment?
In 2020 the state launched the adverse childhood experiences initiative, with the goal of cutting the number of those experiences in half within one generation. Today the number of doctors screening patients for adverse experiences is growing, but the state is failing to track whether patients receive the follow-up services or support they might need. […]
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SCOTUS Probes Constitutionality of Indian Child Welfare Act
In an hours-long Nov. 9 hearing, the U.S. Supreme Court pressed attorneys about whether a 44-year-old law to shield Indigenous children and families from unjust separations goes beyond the power of Congress to regulate federally recognized tribes. The Indian Child Welfare Act, or ICWA, was passed by Congress and became law at a time when as […]
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Amid Low COVID Vaccine Rates, More California Children Hospitalized in Omicron Surge
COVID-19 hospitalizations among California’s children — especially those too young to go to school — are the highest they have been since the pandemic began. Chalk it up to the highly contagious Omicron variant, kids exposed during in-person instruction at school and other public places, and infants and preschoolers being ineligible for vaccination. The state […]
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Child Care in California Hasn’t Rebounded — Why Many Workers Aren’t Coming Back
For Tonya Muhammad, who runs Lil Critters Family Daycare in Hawthorne, spring of 2020 was, in a word, “horrible.” The early rush on cleaning supplies meant that she and her husband had to criss-cross Los Angeles to find disinfectant, sourcing bottles of Lysol from a dental supply company and aloe vera from a local nursery […]
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One Loophole Remains in Student COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate
Nevada Joint Union High School District Superintendent Brett McFadden expects the vast majority of his students and staff to abide by the COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 1. But he also expects around 10 of his employees to quit out of personal or political opposition to it. “It’s a really […]
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Pandemic Food Stamps Offer up to $365 Per Child
Families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at their schools — regardless of immigration status — may notice something in the mail to help them buy groceries. California is issuing one-time food stamps with credits of up to $365 per child to help qualifying families get through the coronavirus outbreak. The Pandemic-Electronic […]
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The Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods Will Reopen June 1 for Essential Worker’s Kids
The Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods is reopening for children whose parents or caregivers are essential workers. “The Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods is reopening to serve the kids of essential workers,” a press release states. The program will cost $50 per child for the entire eight-week program. Families must meet […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Grief When the Losses Mount
It has been a month and a half since my 9-year-old daughter has been in the physical presence of another child. To fully interact, to imagine, to run and play. She is not unique in this scenario that is being experienced by many children worldwide. She said kindly on a walk a few days ago, […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Trapped
It is a beautiful Monday in Humboldt County, one of those days where the blue accentuates the deep green ridge of the tree line and reminds one of the grandeur that surrounds us. And for school districts and their communities, this gorgeous day kicks off the beginning of spring break. I have the interesting vantage […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
For the Love of Children: Unsung Heroes
As a society, our children are our most precious resources, with nurturing and protecting them one of our most sacred duties. Children deserve safe, happy childhoods and it is up to all of us together to make that a reality. This week we honor children and those who care for them during the Week of […]