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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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CHILD DEVELOPMENT & EARLY EDUCATION
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The unintended consequences of universal preschool |
One of the hallmarks of the $1.8 trillion American Families Plan is its ambitious proposal to create something tantamount to universal preschool. The plan calls for a national partnership with states that could put five million children into high-quality programs and save the average American family $13,000 per year.
Yet the proposal alone will not close critical gaps in child care and preschool, and experts warn there could be unintended consequences—for families, educators and young children. (EdSurge)
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Biden's daycare plan is bad for families
President Biden's new plan, billed as an effort to help low- and moderate-income families, would put America on a path to becoming a society where the state assumes much of the care of young children.
A dramatic expansion of child care is a bad deal for American parents. More important, it’s a bad deal for American children. (WSJ)
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Is Biden's national daycare good for children?
Attacks on advocacy for expanding availability and accessibility to developmentally supportive child care for America’s children are mind boggling.
As a parent and pastor who values the foundation my university-educated children received attending a state-licensed child-care center, I don’t look to economists for child-development expertise. (WSJ)
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MIT study reveals long-term benefits of high-quality early childhood education |
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has released the findings of a new study on the long-term effects of Boston’s preschool program. Using admissions lotteries, the research found that participation in the preschool program led to significant long-term improvements in academic and behavioral outcomes in children.
Notably, compared to students who did not attend the Boston Public Schools preschool program, attendees in this study were more likely to graduate high school, take the SAT, and enroll in college and less likely to receive a school suspension or experience juvenile incarceration. (First Five Years Fund)
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Kern Public Health announces 12 to 15 year olds now eligible
for Pfizer vaccine
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It's official: everyone 12 years and older are now eligible for vaccination against COVID-19 in Kern County.
The Kern County Public Health Services Department announced Thursday that local providers can now administer the Pfizer vaccine to those who are 12 to 15 years old. Previously, the age limit had been 16.
This week the Food and Drug Administration amended the Pfizer vaccine’s Emergency Use Authorization after clinical trials proved it safe for this young age group. (Bakersfield Californian)
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Millions of California kids could get $500 for college savings in Newsom’s school plan |
A significant element of Gov. Newsom's upcoming budget proposal includes setting aside an initial $2 billion this year in federal funds for a college-savings program for kids who might not otherwise be able to afford higher education. After the initial installment this year, the budget would continue allocating an ongoing $170 million for the initiative.
Under the plan, each low-income public school kid would get a $500 account, and foster youth and homeless students would get an additional $500 deposit. (Sacramento Bee)
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'Exceptionally resilient and successful’ kids always do these 7 things
In my years of studying how to raise exceptional adults, I’ve found that almost all of them, at a young age, developed the skills to maximize the physical, mental and social potential available to them.
Based on research and studies, here are seven things that parents of exceptionally resilient and successful kids always do. (NBC)
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Being around children makes adults more generous
Adults are more compassionate and are up to twice as likely to donate to charity when children are present, according to a new study from psychologists.
The research examined how the presence of children influences adults' compassionate motivations and behaviours. (EurekAlert)
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Young farmers struggle with child care and health insurance |
Through thousands of interviews, surveys and conversations with farmers across the country, we have documented how household expenses like access to health care and child care undercut investments that could increase food production across the United States.
As farmers continue to age and retire, the U.S. needs young farmers to take their place. The country has 3.4 million farm operators today and their average age is 58. Our research indicates that health care and child care are two crucial ingredients for a successful food system. (The Counter)
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How hospitals in California lowered C-section rates
for new mothers
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Many California hospitals in recent years have followed statewide initiatives and implemented interventions to reduce C-sections in low-risk first births — those involving single fetuses in the head-down position at 37 weeks or after.
The efforts are working: A recent study found that the rate of cesareans in low-risk first births in California declined from 26 percent in 2014, before the coordinated efforts began, to 22.8 percent in 2019. By comparison, during the same period, the rate nationwide stayed the same. (NBC)
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Higher levels of nitrate in drinking water linked to preterm birth
A recent study of more than 1.4 million California births found that the risk of early preterm birth more than doubled among women whose tap water had nitrate levels that exceeded the federal limit.
Agricultural runoff containing fertilizer and animal waste can greatly increase the nitrate level in groundwater, which naturally contains a low level of the chemical. (Stanford) ***more info below
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Prenatal exposure to famine heightens for later being overweight
An analysis of historical medical records found that men who were prenatally exposed during early gestation to famine were 30 percent more likely to be overweight.
"A slower metabolism that would have helped them survive the pandemic, in times of plenty could also contribute to weight problems and related health issues." (ScienceDaily)
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In California, Latinos more likely to be drinking nitrate-polluted water
A 2020 study identified 10 water sources in Kern County that serve a majority-Latino population as exceeding federal regulations for nitrates in drinking water. Throughout the Central Valley, 140 systems serving 4.5 million people were identified at or above the federal limit. (EWG)
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Fail: Tule Basin drinking water plan kicked back for a redo
In parts of Stanislaus, Madera, Kings and Tulare Counties, residents on domestic wells or very small drinking water systems can apply for free nitrate testing. If their water has unsafe levels of nitrates, they can receive free bottled water.(SJV Water)
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7 Tips for parents of children with a dyslexia diagnosis
When your child is already struggling, they might see a dyslexia diagnosis as even more bad news. And, since this challenge affects you as well, you might feel this way, too.
If so, we’re here to tell you that this diagnosis is actually good news. First, dyslexia is a common struggle and there are many proven ways of dealing with it. Secondly, we are going to share many such tips in the following guide. (Programming Insider)
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Mind Field: What six experts have to say about Literacy
Early Learning Nation explores the world of early learning by connecting with advocates, community leaders, early learning professionals, parents and caretakers, national policymakers and scientists.
In our new series, six top voices from the field discuss a single topic through many lens. This month’s topic? Literacy. Here is what our experts had to say. (Early Learning Nation)
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Brain Research: A focus on childhood trauma and
alcohol misuse
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Recent and ongoing studies indicate that investigations of the relationship between childhood trauma and alcohol misuse, and the neural substrates through which that relationship is mediated, will provide important avenues for continued progress against underage drinking, its subsequent problems, and their potential treatment.
Many of these studies include examination of emotional stress and mental health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), that frequently co-occur with AUD. (NIAAA)
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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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