What It's Like to Lose Head Start
The Washington Post, Niraj Chokshi | Oct. 10
At least seven Head Start programs, still reeling from sequestration cuts, were closed last week when the federal government shut down Oct. 1. A surprise $10 million donation saved the day. But one big questions remains: Will the shutdown outlast the emergency funds?
Baby Veronica Case: Dusten Brown to stop custody fight for Veronica
Tulsa (Okla.) World, Michael Overall | Oct. 10
Dusten Brown will drop all litigation in the "Baby Veronica" case. The decision concludes a custody battle that stretched across two states, dragged on for nearly four years and went to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Hunger in the Valley of Plenty (Video)
Center for Investigative Reporting/KQED, Scott Anger, Natasha Del Toro and Sasha Khokha | Oct. 9
The families that harvest California's produce face many barriers to accessing healthy and affordable food.
New Psychosis Center Aims to Prevent Violence
Stateline, Michael Ollove | Oct. 9
This year, Maryland was one of a handful of states that bucked a national trend and actually increased spending on mental health. Unlike the other states, Maryland is also focusing directly on psychosis, the symptom that makes violence more likely.
Suspecting Parents Doesn't Protect Kids - Training and Partnership Do (Opinion)
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange, Tamar Birckhead | Oct. 7
The author recalls her experience as a young caseworker in the child welfare system where, she says, too many children are taken from their parent's homes in a process that is traumatic and damaging to kids and adults.
Nashville Wants Renters, Homebuyers to Be Able to Spot Subtle Discrimination
The Tennessean, Tony Gonzalez | Oct. 7
Housing discrimination is alive and well in Middle Tennessee, but bias isn't as obvious as it once was. Spurred by recent instances of discrimination, a burst of funding and heightened attention from the federal government, local housing rights advocates are amping up efforts to root out bias and teach prospective buyers or tenants their rights.
For Boys With Eating Disorders, Finding Treatment Can Be Hard
NPR, Rhitu Chatterjee| Oct. 7
Eating disorders are commonly thought to be a problem for girls and women, but an estimated 10 million American men have an eating disorder at some point in their lives. And though eating disorders in boys share many similarities with those in girls, treatment programs tailored to girls may not feel like the right fit.
Largely Unchecked, Tutors Got Millions Through Program
The Texas Tribune, Morgan Smith | Oct. 6
Texas spent millions tutoring students from low-income families as a part of a lesser-known No Child Left Behind program. A Texas Tribune investigation has uncovered years of inaction by state officials while money flowed to tutoring companies, delivering few academic results and flouting state law. The program quietly ended in late September.
Part 2.
Ethical Parenting
New York Magazine, Lisa Miller | Oct. 6
All kinds of parents seize advantage for their kids when they can. Is there such a thing as ethical parenting?
Prosecutors Shift Approach on Underage Sex Trafficking
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.),
Anne Blythe | Oct. 5
As prosecutors understand more about the harsh dynamics of sex trafficking, they are trying to better coordinate efforts to treat the minors involved as abused victims, which criminal justice officials say a vast number are.
Breaking Ground: Yesterday's Dropouts
WAMU 88.5 News, Kavitha Cardoza | Oct. 4
Every year more than one million students fail to graduate from high school on time. Ten, 20, even 40 years later, the long shadow of their unfinished education still follows them every day.
False Abuse Reports Trouble Child Welfare Advocates
City Limits Magazine, Rachel Blustain | Oct. 4
In some neighborhoods, it's not uncommon to file false, malicious reports of child abuse to settle a grudge. The scope of the problem is unknown and what to do about such reports is a conundrum for the child welfare system, which is built around encouraging people to speak out when they suspect a child is being harmed.
Chicago Police Organize Take-back Events at Parks After Shootings
Chicago Tribune, Lolly Bowean | Oct. 3
Historically, parks and playgrounds have been community anchors. But a recent spate of high-profile shootings at Chicago's South Side parks has framed play areas as gang strongholds. Now city officials and police are pushing to empower residents to take back their parks.
Facebook and Md. Schools Partner to Combat Bullying
The Baltimore Sun, Liz Bowie | Oct. 3
Facebook and Maryland's school system will pilot an effort to combat cyber bullying next year. The initiative was announced two days after Grace's Law took effect in the state. The law, named for a 15-year-old who took her life after repeated online harassment, will make online bullying a misdemeanor.