By Mónica Cordero, Investigate Midwest/Report for America and Eva Tesfaye, Harvest Public Media for Investigate Midwest.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Investigate Midwest-Public News Service Collaboration Juan Peña, 28, has worked in the fields since childhood, often exposing his body to extreme heat like the wave hitting the Midwest this week. The heat can cause such deep pain in his whole body that he just wants to lie down, he said. It sucks his desire to work, as his body tells him he can’t take another hot day on the job. On those days, his only motivation to get out of bed is to earn dollars to send to his 10-month-old baby in Mexico. .
Health experts are urging parents to check on the status of their child s vaccinations, amid pertussis and COVID-19 outbreaks among children that have triggered school closures in some counties. Western Kentucky Heart and Lung Research Foundation Executive Director Dr. Melinda Joyce said in addition to checking in with a pediatrician, there are many resources available to help parents get back on track when it comes to their child s immunizations. .
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 is an industry still recovering from the pandemic, in terms of hiring and keeping workers. The Alabama Department of Human Resources has been awarding grants to help child care providers recruit and retain their staff. .
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 the program, the House is looking to cut around $750 million. In New York, these cuts would eliminate a little over 4,300 seats in the HeadStart program. .
By Cathy Candisky for the Public Children s Services Association of Ohio.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Public Children s Services Association of Ohio-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. Twice in the last year, Zoey, a 16-year-old in foster care, had to spend the night in the Franklin County Children Services office. She had nowhere else to go. .