Children

WASHINGTON, May 3, 2007 — The World Bank has agreed to assist the governments of Kazakhstan, the United States and Switzerland in setting up an independent foundation in Kazakhstan that will use approximately $84 million in frozen funds for development projects involving poor children and youth in the Central Asian country. The World Bank support is described in an agreement filed earlier today in court in New York under which the three governments agree to a mechanism to release the funds to support activities aimed at improving child and youth welfare.    » read more »

May 3, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Joe Biden (D-DE) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), today introduced the Violence Against Children Act of 2007, legislation that would provide a comprehensive approach to combating violent crimes against children, including tougher penalties, assistance for local law enforcement, and help for the children who are victims.    » read more »

03 May 2007 -- It is no secret that video games and television programs often depict graphic violence. But now, three new studies show violence causes children, teenagers and young adults to behave more aggressively than those who watch non-violent media.

In addition, there is also a debate swirling in Washington, D.C. on how to shield children from violent TV shows. Here is VOA's Carol Pearson.    » read more »

Legislature grants funding for 50 additional cybercrime staff

May 3, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL – Following today’s passage of the state budget by the Florida House and Senate, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum expressed his sincere appreciation to the members of the Legislature for fully supporting his budget request to expand the Child Predator CyberCrime Unit.

“I am extremely grateful to the members of the House and Senate for carrying out their promise to protect Florida’s children,” said Attorney General McCollum.    » read more »

May 2, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C—Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the House of Representatives passage of the Improving Head Start Act.    » read more »

Governor also takes action on a bill to require accurate sexual health education

May 2, 2007 -- OLYMPIA - Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today signed into law a measure that requires public schools, at the beginning of each school year and starting with sixth grade, to give parents and guardians information about the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer, and its vaccine. The bill also requires private schools in Washington inform parents that HPV information is available from the Washington Department of Health.    » read more »

May 02, 2007 -- NEW YORK, NY (May 2, 2007) In conjunction with a safety alert issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") today the New York Office of the Attorney General announced the results of its tests of certain baby bibs sold by retail giant Wal‑Mart Stores, Inc. The Office’s testing found high levels of lead in bibs purchased at Wal‑Mart stores in New York, posing a potential safety concern for babies and young children who use them.    » read more »

May 2 , 2007 -- Chicago – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced today the voluntary recall of three styles of Baby Connection baby bibs sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores because they contain levels of lead in the vinyl that exceed the Illinois standard for lead in children’s products. The Attorney General has obtained a voluntary recall agreement with Wal-Mart and the bibs’ supplier. The product has been removed from Wal-Mart store shelves and arrangements to reimburse customers or offer a replacement for the bibs are in place.    » read more »

Ten months after Congress and President authorize registry, no progress made

May 1, 2007 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) today sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt seeking an explanation of the Department’s failure to establish a national registry on child abuse more than nine months after its creation was authorized.    » read more »

May 01, 2007 -- Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Special Prosecutor for Bath County, Willie Roberts, today announced that Ronald Lee Ramey, one of Kentucky’s Most Wanted child support evaders, turned himself in to the Bath County Sheriff’s Office yesterday. He was arrested for Flagrant Non-support, a Class D felony. He owes his children more than $26,000 in back child support. Ramey remains in Montgomery County Detention Center in lieu of bond.    » read more »

Revised Settlement Will Provide Greater Compensation for Those Who Cannot Provide Documentation of Their Drug Purchases

April 26, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Public Citizen today secured an improved settlement for the parents of thousands of children who were prescribed the popular antidepressant Paxil. Under the new settlement, negotiated in cooperation with class counsel Korein Tillery LLC, defense counsel and other objectors, members of the class who cannot provide documentation for their purchases will receive far greater compensation than under the original proposed settlement.    » read more »

CHICAGO 04/26/2007 1:00 PM ET -- Chicago White Sox designated hitter Jim Thome and first baseman Paul Konerko, along with their wives Andrea Thome and Jennifer Konerko, are teaming up to raise awareness and support for the needs of foster children and families in Illinois. "Family Champions for Family Champions," their new partnership with Children's Home + Aid, a private child welfare agency, will focus on promoting a positive perception of foster care and raising awareness about the need for foster families.    » read more »

Recommendations Released as Lawmakers Prepare for Reauthorization

April 24, 2007 -- WASHINGTON—Casey Family Programs and the National Education Association today released recommendations for the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act to improve the educational outcomes of children and youth in out-of-home care. Over 800,000 children and youth are served by foster care each year.    » read more »

Leaders Feel Program Has Enhanced Access for Children, but Believe Quality Standards Should Be Incorporated

New York City, April 23, 2007—As the debate over reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) heats up in Washington, a new survey of leaders in health policy and health care finds that large majorities feel the program has been successful in increasing access to health care for low income children (71%) and in reducing the rate of uninsured, low-income children (65%).    » read more »

Washington, D.C., April 23, 2007 – As a national supporter of Cover the Uninsured Week, the American Public Health Association (APHA) today renews its call for expanding health coverage for children through Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This year, SCHIP reauthorization presents Congress with an opportunity to make a key step to give every child in the United States the health coverage he or she needs to grow up healthy and strong.    » read more »