Halloween is coming up and for kids and parents, the holiday provides an opportunity to connect with their community. Kim Hemmert, grants manager with the Idaho Children s Trust Fund, said Halloween is a social holiday and provides many ways for families to strengthen their relationships with the people around them. "Whether it s with trunk or treat events, whether it s in communities where they put on trick or treating events in the neighborhood," said Hemmert, "it s a great time for families to engage with their neighbors and with their community and to make those social connections." Hemmert said her organization promotes the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences or HOPE framework, which can help combat negative experiences in children s lives. " .
More than 1,100 children are in foster care in Mississippi, and an adoption partnership aims to increase the number of them who find "forever families." The state is working with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and its "Wendy s Wonderful Kids" program, which works to help the longest-waiting children in the foster-care system find permanent placement. Darneshia Kyles, a social service specialist for the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services and a recruiter for the Wendy s Wonderful Kids Program, talked about their progress. "Twelve children have been adopted through the Wendy s Wonderful Kids Program since last year, since the program started," Kyles reported. " .
A new survey finds a majority of parents of children younger than six in Utah and across the country rated social emotional development the most important factor when choosing a child-care provider or school. Chairman and CEO of Goddard Systems Dennis Maple said social emotional learning is the development of social interaction, understanding and managing emotions and practicing self-regulation skills. He said as children soon head back to school, it is important for parents and teachers to establish communication to encourage behaviors that lead to positive social interactions. .
An unfortunate spate of child sexual abuse cases in Idaho is putting prevention methods in the spotlight. A Kuna middle school teacher recently pled guilty to enticing a child, and lewd contact with a minor. Another case from a Boise junior high school has left lingering questions about how the abuse could have been stopped earlier. .
Texas parents under investigation for child abuse by the state will be informed of their rights before their children are removed from the family s home under a law passed by legislators this session. House Bill 730 requires that caseworkers notify parents accused of abuse or neglect of their legal rights, such as their right to an attorney and their right to refuse to answer questions. Andrew Brown - policy advocate with the Texas Public Policy Foundation - said from the first knock on the door, the family s rights will come first. .