During 2021, the first year after the pandemic began, California managed to keep more than 96% of children insured, according to a new report from Georgetown University. The authors credit a federal law which gave states extra money so no one would be dropped from Medicaid during COVID. Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said the protections are slated to lapse when the national health emergency ends next spring, and she predicted the national child uninsured rate could double. .
Ohio s child-welfare system is plagued by a shortage of mental-health professionals. Experts said having consistent access to therapists, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists could change the trajectory for kids who otherwise would be placed in institutions, increasingly lacking the space for them. Theresa Lampl, CEO of The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Providers, said to offset the community consequences of lack of access to care, mental health should be viewed as a persistent health condition, and treated on par with heart health, diabetes or other chronic diseases. .
Child-abuse prevention specialists in South Dakota and elsewhere say a new study underscores the need to protect kids from traumatic situations to avoid long-term physical health issues. International researchers have found a 14% increase in heart failure among adults who experienced one form of childhood maltreatment. Those with three to five types of maltreatment had a 43% increased risk. .
Ohio families are experiencing greater mental-health challenges coming out of the pandemic, and social services workers emphasized it makes it more difficult to place kids who need help in appropriate facilities. According to a report published earlier this year by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, 89% of counties experienced placements of youths whose needs were primarily behavioral health-related. Deanna Nichols-Stika, executive director of Wayne County Children s Services, explained caseworkers had options for residential placement and could select the provider who best met the needs of a child a decade ago. .
WCSM Radio - We Do It For You !! - WCSM Radio wcsmradio.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wcsmradio.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.