Sacramento County Local Families & Children News Articles and Digest

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.

From The Sacramento Oracle...

Families & Children

Creating Families Through Adoption

12/05/2023
Image for display with article titled Creating Families through Adoption

Court is not usually a place for young children. But on Nov. 4, 29 families finalized the adoptions of 34 children at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relation Courthouse.

From CalMatters...

Families & Children Homelessness Community Service & Support Government

Border Patrol Dumped 42,000 migrants on San Diego Streets. The County Needs Help to Help Them

12/03/2023
San Diego-area nonprofits and faith organizations struggle to provide for tens of thousands of migrants border agents have released on San Diego streets.

From CalMatters...

Education Families & Children Community Service & Support Government

State Invested $53 Million in Teaching Low-Performing Kids to Read. Here's How it's Paying Off

12/03/2023
In 2020, the state agreed to a settlement in a lawsuit that claimed too many students were not learning to read. As part of that agreement, the state spent over $50 million on 75 schools with the lowest reading scores.

From Capital & Main...

Public Safety Education Families & Children Government

Right-Wing Takeover of SoCal School Board Stirs Angst

12/01/2023
Students and teachers alike are decrying the actions of the Temecula Valley Unified School District board, which became conservative in majority following the recent elections of three members. The board’s actions include banning critical race theory and mandating parental notification if their child is transgender.

From Capital & Main...

Families & Children Parks & Recreation

Utility Increases Loom for 16 Million California Households

11/30/2023
Utility giant PG&E is set to raise its rates an average of 13% on Jan. 1. That equals an extra $32.50 a month, or $390 for the year.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Families & Children Health Government

Will Kids Still Take Their Medicine? New State Law Forces Pharmacies to Take Out the Flavor

11/28/2023
Parents say flavored medication can help ensure their kids finish a prescription. Far fewer California pharmacies are offering that service as they await new rules from a state regulator.

From Citrus Heights Sentinel...

Families & Children Community Service & Support

This Citrus Heights Woman Was Recognized by the Mayor. Here’s Why.

11/24/2023
A longstanding resident was honored with a Good Neighbor award during a Citrus Heights City Council meeting for her service to children in the community.

From Sacramento Bee...

Families & Children Health State of California

State Debuting Mental Health App for Young People Next Year

11/15/2023
The state will offer a free mental health app beginning Jan. 1 for people ages 13-25. It is currently being tested in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties.

From Sacramento News and Review...

COVID-19 Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children United States

How an Expired Pandemic-Era Policy Doubled Child Poverty Rates

11/14/2023
Image for display with article titled How an Expired Pandemic-Era Policy Doubled Child Poverty Rates

The expansion of the Child Tax Credit in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act cut child poverty rates in half—now they’ve doubled. Lawmakers, it seemed, had found a viable solution: giving people money, no strings attached.

From CapPublicRadio...

Education Families & Children Resilience Crisis & Personal Support

Extracurricular Clubs, Sports Programs Help Young Camp Fire Survivors Heal

11/08/2023
Five years ago, the Camp Fire disrupted lives, followed quickly by the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving students in Paradise with few options to connect with others outside of the internet.

From Sacramento News and Review...

Education Environment Families & Children

Essay: Embracing the Great Outdoors Is a Vital Step in Developing Sacramento’s Next Generation

11/03/2023
Image for display with article titled Embracing the Great Outdoors is Vital in Developing Sacramento’s Next Generation

The call of the wild is not just a poetic phrase; it’s a fundamental need, especially in elementary education. It may also be what’s missing from science curriculum.

From The Sacramento Bee...

Art & Culture Families & Children

‘Largest Holiday Light Festival’ Returns to Sacramento This Winter

11/03/2023
Sacramento’s Cal Expo will soon be adorned with bright festive light displays with the return of Imaginarium. The “largest holiday light festival” in the capital city will light up Nov. 17 to Jan. 7, and will feature a circus, Santa, an ice skating rink, and games.

From Los Angeles Times...

Families & Children Health

A Story With Teeth: Why California Kids Lag in Dental Health

10/31/2023
California kids have some of the lowest-ranked dental health in the United States, with challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. Here’s a look at the problem and what’s being done to address it.

From CalMatters...

Education Families & Children Government

California Colleges Miss Deadline for Student Parents’ Priority Registration

10/24/2023
Signed by the governor in September 2022, AB 2881 aims to help student parents in California by offering them priority registration. Advocates are optimistic the law will formalize data collection, allowing them to better serve this student population that represents 1 in 5 students nationally.

From CapPublicRadio...

Families & Children Crime & Justice State of California

California Joins States Suing Meta

10/24/2023
More than 40 states are suing the social media giant. The legal actions allege that Meta has deceived the public about the harms of Facebook and Instagram, which the attorneys general say “exploit and manipulate” children.

From CalMatters...

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

California Student Test Scores Remain Low

10/18/2023
Despite an influx of money to counter learning loss during the pandemic, English language arts and math test scores remain low.

From CalMatters...

Families & Children Health Government

Kaiser To Pay $200 million Settlement for Botched Mental Health Appointment System

10/12/2023
Kaiser patients waited 19 days for follow-up mental health appointments in 2019, nine days longer than state law permits. The settlement includes the largest-ever penalty issued by California’s behavioral health regulator.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Families & Children Elections & Politics State of California

Labor Leaders Despair But Keep Pushing for Striker Unemployment After Newsom Veto

10/01/2023
Newsom rejected Senate Bill 799, which would have paid striking workers California unemployment benefits after two weeks, and SB 686, which would have extended workplace safety protections to domestic workers, such as housekeepers and nannies.

Sacramento County Local News: Families & Children