Monterey County Local Families & Children News Articles and Digest

Education Families & Children Resilience

California Community College Students Helping Peers

01/03/2024
Two-thirds of community college students in California admit to struggling to meet basic needs. The California Community Colleges’ Student Ambassador Program has empowered more than 50 students to act as resource guides to help them.

From CapPublicRadio...

Families & Children Health Elections & Politics

Group to Sue California AG Over Title of Ballot Initiative Seeking to Prohibit Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth

01/03/2024
Leaders of a parental rights advocacy group announced they’re planning to sue California Attorney General Rob Bonta over the way his office has characterized a 2024 ballot initiative they authored.

From New York Times...

Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children Government

CA Minimum Wage Hits $16 an Hour

01/02/2024
The dawn of 2024 meant that California’s minimum wage rose from $15.50 to $16 an hour. That puts the Golden State at the second-highest minimum wage for a U.S. state, trailing only Washington state at $16.28 an hour.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Families & Children Government

Law Goes Into Effect Blocking Guns in Many California Public Places

01/02/2024
A law passed by the California legislature in 2023 has gone into effect banning licensed gun holders from bringing their firearms to places like playgrounds, churches and casinos. The law faces an ongoing challenge in the federal court system.

From CNN...

Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children Government

Gender-Neutral Toy Law Goes Into Effect

01/01/2024
A 2021 law passed by the California legislature went into effect Jan. 1, requiring major retailers to maintain an aisle of toys marketed to people of either gender. The bill’s author, Evan Low, said the legislation will help kids “express themselves freely and without bias.”

From CalMatters...

Families & Children Health Government

Californians Can Now Save Money on Vasectomies, Other Birth Control

12/31/2023
California adopted several laws to increase access to contraception and abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade. The latest one eliminates out-of-pocket charges for birth control for millions of Californians.

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Families & Children Health Community Service & Support Government

All Undocumented Californians Eligible for Medi-Cal for First Time

12/28/2023

Image for display with article titled All Undocumented Californians Eligible for Medi-Cal Health Coverage for First Time in 2024

Undocumented immigrants over 50 became eligible in 2023. Now the program expands to all adults.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children Health State of California

Happy New Year, California Workers! You Now Get More Paid Sick Days

12/26/2023
Under a new law, employees in California are guaranteed five paid sick days a year, two days more than previously. Worker advocacy groups say the benefit is needed, but business groups warn of additional costs.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Education Families & Children

Science Doesn’t Yet Support Broad Restrictions on Teens’ Access to Social Media

12/26/2023
In a report released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, researchers instead lay out a plan for what society might do to improve adolescents’ interactions with social media.

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Families & Children Health Homelessness Government

Kids' Mental Health Programs May Close as State 'Modernizes' Payments

12/21/2023

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California is trying to make its Medi-Cal payment system more efficient, but there may be some collateral damage.

From CalMatters...

Families & Children Homelessness Housing Community Service & Support Crisis & Personal Support Government

Domestic Violence Shelters Play a Key Role in Fighting Homelessness. Now They Face Deep Funding Cuts

12/19/2023
Federal funding for domestic violence shelters and housing programs is declining. Advocates want the state to step in, but with a record projected deficit new spending is unlikely.

From Monterey Herald...

Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children

Pacific Grove Mom and Son Create AI Video Storytelling Company

12/16/2023
The new company takes a child into a fantasy world via a storytelling video created through artificial intelligence tools where the kid is the hero of the tale and can learn about self-confidence and problem solving in the process.

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Families & Children Homelessness Housing Community Service & Support Government

How a Homeless Housing Project Is Stalled by Developer Defaults

12/15/2023
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The homeless problem in King City, Monterey County, is being affected by a developer's financial issues.

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COVID-19 Families & Children Health Community Service & Support Government

How This Government Policy Is Making Food Insecurity Worse

12/13/2023
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The federal government cut off a pandemic-era food support program that 20 percent of Californians still need.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children Health Crime & Justice Government

California Company Used Child Labor for Dangerous Poultry Processing Work

12/13/2023
The Exclusive Poultry Inc. agreed to pay $3.8 million in wages, damages and penalties in part for hiring children for dangerous work. The case is one of hundreds federal labor officials investigated last year.

From EdSource...

Education Families & Children Government

CA AG Backs Motion to Oppose Actions of SoCal School Board

12/13/2023
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has formally backed an August motion by two law groups to keep the Temecula Valley Unified School District from being able to notify parents about transgender children or censor instruction about race. A hearing for the motion is scheduled for Jan. 24.

From Sacramento Bee...

Families & Children Government

Supreme Court Upholds California Ban on Conversion Therapy

12/11/2023
By declining to hear a conservative group’s challenge, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a California ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth. California is one of 22 states to ban this practice.

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Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children Crisis & Personal Support

An EPIC Mission: End Poverty in California

12/10/2023
Image for display with article titled An EPIC Mission: End Poverty in California

Nonprofit founded by former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs has been on listening tour since early 2022

From KQED...

Families & Children Health Government

At-Home COVID Tests Can Be Reimbursable in California

12/07/2023
Although the federal government is providing four free COVID tests per month, that’s not the only way to get them. Aetna and Blue Shield of California members can be reimbursed for up to eight at-home tests per month, while Kaiser Permanente is offering discounts on tests.

From CalMatters...

Families & Children Crime & Justice Government

Moms Who Suffer Domestic Abuse Can Lose Their Kids. But Does This Policy Make Any Sense?

12/06/2023
California’s “failure to protect” law allows child welfare agencies to take kids from households scarred by domestic violence. Advocates say the separation can worsen a family’s trauma.

Monterey County Local News: Families & Children