Health

December 16, 2024 by WVCBP
State Has Highest Concentration of Bereaved Children

Beckley Register-Herald, Yahoo News, Bluefield Daily Telegraph- West Virginia has the highest concentration of bereaved children with 13.7% – or 1 in 7 children – projected to experience the loss of a parent or sibling by age 18, according to the 2024 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model. Read the full article. Nationwide, approximately 8% of children…

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December 14, 2024 by Sean O'Leary
Editor’s Notes: Demand better of officials

Parkersburg News and Sentinel - During what the song says is “the most wonderful time of the year,” much of what we adults do to make it magical is for children. We want them to feel the joy and love of the season, we want to give them what we can, we want to help them understand…

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December 13, 2024 by Sean O'Leary
WV Center on Budget and Policy’s ‘Kids Count Data Book’ Shows 25% of State’s Children Live in Poverty

Real WV - The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy (WVCBP), along with the Maryland-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, has released its 2024 “Kids Count” data book.  Read the full article. This data book provides both statewide and county-by-county information on the well-being of children, and informs advocates, the public and policymakers on how…

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December 12, 2024 by WVCBP
2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book Highlights Key Indicators to Inform Future of Child Well-being in WV

For Immediate Release: December 12, 2024 Contact: Sean O'Leary, (304)-400-8899 Charleston, WV – The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy (WVCBP) is excited to announce the release of the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book for West Virginia. KIDS COUNT in West Virginia is a joint effort by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the WVCBP which provides an annual snapshot of…

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November 8, 2024 by WVCBP
West Virginians Have a Honey-do List for Their Newly Elected Officials

Mountain State Spotlight - Dear West Virginia elected officials, the voters of our state selected you to represent them in the Legislature, in Congress and in the governor’s office.  Read the full article. The campaign is over.  Now it’s time to govern.  Over the last year, hundreds of West Virginians have told Mountain State Spotlight the…

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November 1, 2024 by Rhonda Rogombe
Trump’s Proposals Would Harm West Virginia’s Seniors, Children and Those Living Paycheck to Paycheck. Here’s How.

Mountain State Spotlight, Times West Virginian - For 40 years in Marion County, Gia Deasy taught special education classes, then worked as the county special education director. She advocated for decades for federal laws to protect people with disabilities, once segregated in institutions.  Read the full article. Now, laws protect children who need accommodations at…

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October 23, 2024 by Rhonda Rogombe
Dope, Dollars and Despair: Two Men Vying to be West Virginia’s Governor Traveled Very Different Roads in the Overdose Crisis

Mountain State Spotlight - During a national taskforce meeting about opioids in August 2016, an aide whispered into Huntington Mayor Steve Williams’ ear.  The top federal drug control official wanted to meet privately with Williams.  Read the full article. Just five days earlier, 27 people had overdosed in the span of four hours in Huntington.…

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October 8, 2024 by Kelly Allen
Legislative Majority Came Around to Lower Tax Cut Because of Proposals to Reduce Spending

West Virginia MetroNews - Lawmakers who wanted more specifics before buying into another income tax cut said they finally heard enough detail to feel confident. Read the full article. Others questioned whether the reduced spending to balance out the tax cut will shortchange state programs meant to support childcare and child welfare. Gov. Jim Justice’s…

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