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THIS WEEK'S
HEADLINES
NEWS IMPACTING CHILDREN 0-5 AND THEIR FAMILIES
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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...
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Initial distribution of COVID-19 vaccine won't include
pregnant people
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Doses of coronavirus vaccines are being distributed to and stored in warehouses around the United States. First in line to receive it, pending FDA approval, are health care workers. But the most prominent of these vaccines have not been tested on pregnant people. And the CDC estimates there are over 300,000 pregnant health care workers in the U.S. right now.
Dr. Ruth Faden, founder of Johns Hopkins University's bioethics institute, talks here about why none of the top coronavirus vaccine contenders has been tested on pregnant people. (NPR)
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Mothers reveal how much it costs to give birth in the United States of America
American mothers are sharing the shocking price of giving birth in the US, revealing their hospital bills and how long it took them to pay them off.
After one mom revealed that she's finally paid hers off ahead of her kid's second birthday, other US-based mothers shared their own shocking costs — while mothers from Australia, Canada, and the UK gloated about their own healthcare systems. (Daily Mail)
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The best baby rockers on the market today
As you prepare for the birth of your little one, choosing which baby gear to put at the top of your list is an important decision. Baby rockers are right up there for parents who want a safe place for their baby to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, which may include a parent scrambling to complete tasks.
Read on to take a look at rocker safety, features to consider, and the best rockers on the market today. (Healthline)
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Sports might be good therapy for boys with behavioral issues
Participation in organized sports could help reduce behavior problems in very young boys, a new study of Irish kids suggests.
One-year-old boys with developmental delays were less likely to have developed emotional problems or poor conduct by age 5 if they regularly attended a sports club or group, researchers reported recently in The Journal of Pediatrics. (U.S. News & World Report)
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More clues to why kids have much milder
COVID-19
A stronger immune system and healthier blood vessels are among reasons kids are less likely than adults to have severe COVID-19, according to experts who reviewed research from around the world.
The researchers explained that damage to the thin layer of endothelial cells lining various organs -- especially the heart, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels -- increases with age, and there's a link between conditions that damage these cells and severe COVID-19. (Health Day)
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FDA's outdated lead standards puts the public's health at risk
A group of organizations this week sent a formal petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to revise its outdated standards for lead in food to better protect the public, and especially children, from the impacts of lead exposure.
Specifically, the petition calls on the agency to stop allowing lead to be added to materials that contact food, to update its guidance to better protect against the risk of lead exposure, and to tighten its limits for lead in bottled water. (EDF)
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1-year old still recovering weeks after swallowing watch batteries
They're the little things that give life to many a gift during the holiday season. But Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is sharing the story of a little girl who nearly died because of them.
Button batteries can pose a danger to curious little children - and the healthcare provider is hoping no other child has an experience like 1-year-old Salima. The baby swallowed two of the batteries and, two weeks later, she's still fighting for her life. (WXIA-Atlanta)
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ACEs & TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
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Parental stress biology affects young children
Parental depression and anxiety can have profound effects on children. Researchers have demonstrated that parents' profiles of stress biology and symptoms can predict their preschoolers' emotional and behavioral problems.
"Both mothers and fathers of young children are at risk for developing anxiety and depressive symptoms, in part due to the additional stressors experienced in parenthood," said one researcher with the study. (MedicalXpress)
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High-stress emergencies have a long-lasting impact on ER doctors
It's an understatement to say the medical profession is stressful. But a study from USC researchers shows just how large of an impact even the quickest medical emergencies can have on emergency room workers.
"I think everyone understands... that health care can be stressful," said study author Todd Chang. "But there's a counterargument we need to fight: "Oh, it's just part of the job, so deal with it.'" (MedicalXpress) ***
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*** For more on the stresses of working in medical and social service professions, see the recent webinar from Resilient Kern: "Compassion Fatigue - working in the helping professions."
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EARLY CHILDCARE & EDUCATION
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Another step toward universal preschool in California? |
Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento, a veteran advocate for early education, and other legislators on Tuesday proposed a sweeping suite of bills to help reform the state’s early childhood system.
The bills seek to expand transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds, make child care more affordable by creating a sliding scale for family fees, increase reimbursement rates for preschool teachers and bar expulsions and suspensions in preschool. (EdSource)
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Election Day wins illustrate national demand for Early learning Investments
As the country turns to a new administration and Congress in 2021, policymakers must prioritize investments in early learning, taking signals from communities that see this as a major issue.
In November, voters across the country passed ballot initiatives, from comprehensive community services and child care to universal preschool for all 3- and 4-year-old children. (CAP)
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Preschoolers learning English need to be identified and supported
Young children whose first language is Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic or another language other than English could get more help in becoming bilingual in child care and preschool under California’s new Master Plan for Early Learning and Care.
The first step: identifying them. (EdSource)
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Congress Should Pass Paid Leave, Childcare for Families During Pandemic |
We commissioned a survey of working-age adults between July 23 and August 7, 2020 to better understand how the pandemic affected families and assess the federal policy response. Administered by the University of Chicago, the survey asked about paid leave and childcare during the pandemic.
The results on paid leave and childcare are summarized in a new report, but here are five of the most important takeaways. (National Interest)
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Playgrounds stay open: State backtracks on outdoor play area ban
California has backpedaled on closing playgrounds as part of its stay-at-home order after parents and legislators argued that children need outdoor play for their health.
The updated state guidance states that “playgrounds may remain open to facilitate physically distanced personal health and wellness through outdoor exercise.” (CalMatters)
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I’m a CEO and a Working Dad. Here’s What I Wish I Did Differently.
Even while employers are increasingly offering paid paternity leave benefits, most new dads take significantly less time than their benefit allows. Of the fathers who do take paid leave (if it’s offered), 70% return to work in 10 days or less.
A key reason why? Unsupportive leadership. In a 2019 study, 55% of men said they didn’t feel extremely supported by senior management in their decision to take paternity leave. (Harvard Business Review)
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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.
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Special thanks to Vecteezy for assistance on graphics
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