The number of foster youths near adulthood has dropped slightly in Washington state, according to a new report. The Annie E. Casey Foundation looked at the transition period for young adults in foster care and found the number of young Washingtonians age 14 and up dropped from 23% in 2006 to 22% in 2021. .
A new report found Black girls across the Keystone State are subjected to "daunting educational barriers" in K-12 public schools and offers recommendations to make the school system more inclusive. The report detailed barriers with curriculum, dress codes, anti-Black racism, sexism and other issues. Paige Joki, staff attorney for the Education Law Center-Pennsylvania and leader of the Black Girls Education Justice Initiative, said the purpose of the report was to hear the concerns of Black girls, because their voices were missing from conversations. .
The number of Wyoming children in foster care between the ages of 14 and 21 has dropped by 54% over the past two decades, according to a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report, but many kids who age out of the system continue to face significant challenges. Debra Hibbard, policy and program manager for the Wyoming Department of Family Services, said getting a college degree or credential can help kids land on their feet. .
Some youth violence intervention programs around the U.S. saw their outreach work upended by the pandemic. But a new Minneapolis initiative focusing on de-escalation and unarmed civilian protection is accelerating its efforts. .
September is National Recovery Month, and a program in Ohio is showing success in healing families who have struggled with addiction. Ohio START (Sobriety Treatment and Reducing Trauma) focuses on families experiencing child maltreatment and substance use disorders. Children Services caseworkers, behavioral health providers, and Family Peer Mentors work in tandem to get them the support they need. .