Kentucky saw a 48% reduction in child victims of maltreatment from 2018 to 2022, according to the latest federal data. However, child abuse and neglect in the Commonwealth remains around 60% higher than the national rate. Shannon Moody, chief policy and strategy officer with Kentucky Youth Advocates, said identifying risk factors around substance abuse, untreated mental health issues and domestic violence can all help reduce child abuse. .
The Colorado Avalanche has teamed up with Xcel Energy to generate funds to help people struggling to pay their energy bills this winter. Every time the home team gets an assist, Xcel Energy will donate $1,000 to Energy Outreach Colorado. Denise Stepto, chief communications officer with Energy Outreach Colorado, the nonprofit that helps ratepayers who can t pay their heating bills, said a disproportionate number of households include children, people with physical or intellectual disabilities, and seniors living on fixed incomes. .
Postal service staffing shortages across the United States, including in rural areas of Mississippi, are being cited as one of the reasons for mail delivery delays. Members of the American Postal Workers Union are calling for more taffing and better pay to reduce turnover. George Collins, who s a member of the American Postal Workers Union in Biloxi, said he was notified in a letter that the postal service has a new process to reroute daily mail and packages from Gulfport to Jackson, which he said is also impacting on-time delivery. .
Around 30% of Ohio students are chronically absent from school, but in one district, a long-term partnership with the juvenile court system has lowered the number of kids missing class. Heidi Kegley, Delaware City School District superintendent, said chronic absence dropped by nearly 9% during the 2021-2022 school year, largely driven by the juvenile court mediation process with families, that also involves school counselors and principals. She said a dedicated liaison meets regularly with families to hep eliminate barriers to their children s ability to show up to school. .
A new online tool is helping community groups in Boston ensure all neighborhoods reap the benefits from urban tree canopies. The Tree Equity Score Analyzer, or TESA, was created by the national nonprofit, American Forests to help communities study disparities in tree coverage and develop planting scenarios, one census block at a time. David Meshoulam, executive director of Speak for the Trees Boston, said trees provide numerous environmental and health benefits. .