|
|
THIS WEEK'S
HEADLINES
NEWS IMPACTING CHILDREN 0-5 AND THEIR FAMILIES
|
|
Here is a quick look at some headlines from this week impacting the lives of kids 0-5 and their families. The purpose of these stories is simply to share information, and do not necessarily reflect First 5 Kern's areas of support, opinions or efforts towards these issues.
Follow First 5 Kern on social media (@First5Kern) for more kids news, as well as information about our funded programs and initiatives.
Now for the headlines...
|
|
|
|
CHILD DEVELOPMENT & EARLY EDUCATION
|
|
VIDEO: Pandemic closures cause economic ripple effect |
The pandemic has been catastrophic for small businesses, and childcare centers are no exception with thousands closing their doors for good since last March.
“Once we opened, the stress was bringing everyone back,” Rodi Vogel, a preschool director, said. “Who wears the mask? Do the kids have to be separated in the classroom? How do they eat? How do they sleep? If one child gets it, does it spread? Do we close down?” (CBS LA)
|
|
 |
Los Angeles pursues universal childcare
The Los Angeles City Council last week voted to have two city departments draft a report on funding for a potential universal child care system in Los Angeles.
The motion directed the Housing and Community Investment Department and the chief legislative analyst to report on potential state funding for child care. It also calls on the departments to ensure the plan provides equitable access to child care for communities of color. (Patch)
|
|
|
|
Research-practice partnerships can help our youngest learners in crisis
How many and which children were leaving remote learning classrooms? What kinds of alternative experiences were they having? And what will these enrollment drops mean for children in the months and years to come?
"The kids I am most worried about right now are those who are not enrolled in public preschool and kindergarten,” (Brookings)
|
|
|
|
Early childhood programs’ scarcity undermines California's rural communities |
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids and ReadyNation have released a new video featuring the voices of community leaders in law enforcement, business, and childcare describing why affordable, accessible, and high quality early childhood programs for California's rural communities matters to them.
Quality early care and education can bolster public safety, the economy, and national security, but they are increasingly scarce in rural areas of the state. We must invest in these programs in order to secure a strong future for California.
|
|
Child vaccine immunization rates down, new data shows |
Adventist Health, in partnership with First 5 Kern, has had its mobile immunization clinics around since the ’90s, the focus being getting children vaccinated against preventable diseases. Thirty years later, why is this program more important than ever before?
Because we are seeing a decline in children receiving their normal booster shots and required immunizations for school. Health professionals are worried we may soon see outbreaks of preventable illnesses. (KGET)
|
|
|
F.D.A. to authorize Pfizer vaccine for adolescents by early next week
The Food and Drug Administration is preparing to authorize use of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine in adolescents 12 to 15 years old by early next week, according to federal officials familiar with the agency’s plans, opening up the U.S. vaccination campaign to millions more people. (NYTimes)
|
|
|
|
Medical records analysis links cannabis use disorder in pregnancy to infant health problems
A new study of nearly 5 million live births recorded in California from 2001 to 2012 found that babies born to mothers diagnosed with cannabis use disorders at delivery were more likely to experience negative health outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight. (HCP)
|
|
|
|
|
What is the best way to teach reading? A literacy professor weighs in
The best way to teach reading is a topic that has been hotly debated for many decades.
It’s worth arguing about because literacy is important. Roughly 21% of American adults are illiterate. Illiteracy has harmful impacts on health, finances, and overall well-being. (Book Riot)
|
|
|
|
What adults can learn
from reading children's books
English author and professor Katherine Rundell thinks all of us – even adults – can benefit by reading books primarily meant for kids.
Reading children’s books might inspire us to take chances, learn new things and go — literally and figuratively — to new worlds. (WPR)
|
|
|
|
Survey reveals pregnant women lack awareness about
preeclampsia, the #2 Cause of Maternal Death
|
May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month, and a recent survey is underscoring a stark need for more education around the second-most common cause of maternal mortality in the United States.
The survey of nearly 800 women, including expectant mothers, new mothers within the last year, and those who are considering pregnancy, showed less than half of respondents know that high blood pressure, the main sign of preeclampsia, is a key indicator of the condition. (GlobeNewsWire)
|
|
|
COVID-19 in pregnancy does not mean respiratory illness for baby
A new study offers reassuring evidence that infants born to mothers with COVID-19, or even asymptomatic infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, have little increase in respiratory symptoms over babies born to uninfected mothers. (News-Medical)
|
|
|
|
A beauty guide with products that are safe to use while you're pregnant
Pregnancy can definitely affect the skin, but how it affects it varies from woman to woman. However, there are plenty of beauty products that are safe to slather on your skin while you're pregnant. Here's a list of beauty products for pregnant women that are safe to use. (Swirlster)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C-sections put babies at risk for respiratory, behavioral issues
A new study is showing that babies who are born via c-section may be at risk for respiratory and behavioral problems. C-sections are not always the first choice a mom has when it comes to her birth plan, but they are the route a lot of women have to go down. However, a C-section is a major surgery, and this can have an impact on a woman’s health and her postpartum recovery. (BabyGaga)
|
|
|
|
6 Things moms really need this Mother's Day |
This Mother’s Day, what mothers don’t need is a well-intentioned (but work-intensive) activity, such as hosting a family gathering. They don’t need a “World’s Best Mom” mug or a flower bush they need to make time to plant before it dies.
We asked moms and parent advocates from a variety of fields how to make all mothers feel special, appreciated and cared for this Mother’s Day. (Washington Post)
|
|
A multi-pronged approach to dealing with childhood adversity and promoting resilience |
A hot topic symposia session during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2021 Virtual Meeting will discuss a multipronged approach to addressing childhood adversity and promoting resilience - at the clinical, systems, community and educational levels.
For pediatric practitioners, there are multiple ways to address ACEs. This symposium will review approaches at the patient, systems (clinic/hospital), community and education level. It will also highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in moving this work forward. (EurekAlert)
|
|
First 5 Kern was established in 1998 when California voters passed Proposition 10, which levied a 50-cent tax on tobacco products. Revenues generated from the tobacco tax are used to fund local programs in the areas of health and wellness, early childcare and education, and parent education and support services that promote early childhood development for children ages zero to five.
For more information on First 5 Kern and the agencies we support, please visit www.First5Kern.org and follow us on social media.
|
|
Special thanks to Vecteezy for assistance on graphics
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
