U.S. student-to-school counselor ratio improves but still misses recommended rate

The student-to-school counselor ratio improved 5.6 percent nationally between 2021–22 and 2022–23, but there is still work to be done to reach the recommended rate of 250:1, according to data released by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) in February. In 2022–23, the student-to-counselor ratio […]

Experts highlight the role of schools in identifying human trafficking

What should you do when you suspect a child is being trafficked? A Jan. 31 webinar hosted by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments sought to answer that question and provide educators with resources and guidance in navigating this sensitive topic. Throughout the […]

California introduces free behavioral health apps for families, young people

A duo of free web- and app-based tools offering families with children or young adults ages 0-25 one-on-one sessions with live wellness coaches, wellness exercises, a library of multimedia resources and access to peer communities moderated by trained behavioral health professionals, were launched by the […]

Increasing illicit opioid use among adults linked to increased suicide rates in youth

Rising youth suicide rates are partially tied to the opioid crisis that has disrupted home lives and caused trauma for children throughout the country, according to a recent study from the RAND Corporation. “While the use of illicit opioids did not increase among children, it […]

Brief explores the immigration system’s impact on school communities

As of 2019, roughly 7 percent of all children in the United States — an estimated 5 million young people under age 19 — lived with an undocumented family member, most often a parent. The effects of immigration enforcement actions on Latino children of undocumented […]

Study outlines ways states can strengthen connection between agencies supporting young children

As state and federal leaders continue to push for expanded early learning opportunities, a new report details how state Medicaid agencies can partner with Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) agencies to improve the health of pregnant and postpartum people, infants […]

SDCOE’s suicide intervention toolkit helps schools support students and get them back on track

The San Diego County Office of Education’s Golden Bell Award-winning Policy to Practice: Suicide Intervention Toolkit provides local schools with protocols to support students experiencing suicidal ideation, and since its launch in 2019, has likely saved many lives. San Diego COE’s 16 school districts, 11 […]

Report calls for national overhaul of social media ed, standards and more to support youth

A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine calls on social media companies, Congress, the U.S. Department of Education and others to minimize the harm of social media use on adolescents’ health while maximizing its benefits. “Many of our children have grown […]

California’s First Partner encourages LEAs to apply for Farm to School grant funds

California’s First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom wrote the following letter to local educational agency leaders to inform them of opportunities available through the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program:   Dear California Superintendent and School Administrators, As a mom of four young kids and […]