Headlines

“Seeing Dignity In Poverty: Dorothea Lange's politics of respect”

Newsweek, Julia Baird —  November 05, 2009

Asked in 1964 about the most significant thing she had learned about Americans while photographing those fleeing the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, Dorothea Lange answered: "I many times encountered courage, real courage. Undeniable courage." She saw it often, she said, "in unexpected places." She attempted to capture it as well, of course, in her stark black-and-white images of somber migrant farm workers, strong-jawed mothers, fly-dotted toddlers, and gaunt sharecroppers. By showing the stoicism of her subjects, Lange restored dignity to the dispossessed during the Great Depression.

“California Falls Short in Examining Deaths of Children”

Los Angeles Times, Kim Christensen and Garrett Therolf —  November 05, 2009

A new law aimed at exposing child deaths to public scrutiny has given Californians their most complete view yet of the toll of abuse and neglect, but falls short of legislators' intent, according to an investigation by the Times. The Times review found that the 2008 law, known as Senate Bill 39, leaves many fatalities uncounted. The Los Angeles County children's services department, for example, said in August that it had recorded four child deaths this year that resulted from abuse or neglect, yet internal records obtained by The Times showed there actually had been nine.

“Virtual Schools Chart New Course: Cyber-campus backers seek brick-and-mortar funding”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, D. Aileen Dodd —  November 06, 2009

Representatives of five would-be virtual charter schools will file into the administrative towers of the Georgia Department of Education today to pitch their brand of public education, which lets students study at home computers. If they’re successful, they stand to be funded just as any other Georgia public school. Some state officials, however, aren’t ready to prop open the door of school choice and let more cyber campuses in without first doing more homework on the subject.

“Flu Outrunning Vaccine, Experts Say”

The Washington Post, David Brown —  November 05, 2009

Two state and city public health officials briefing Congress on Wednesday said they don't expect to have enough pandemic-flu vaccine to meet the needs of their high-priority population groups -- including children, young adults and pregnant women -- until well into December, and possibly not until January, The Washington Post reports.

“One Daughter's Secret Revealed, Ultimately Too Late: Another finds salvation as Centreville heroin ring is broken up”

The Washington Post, Caitlin Gibson —  November 04, 2009

Last year, 19-year-old Alicia Lannes of Centreville, Va. died of a heroin overdose. The case, which went to federal court in May, was part of an elaborate conspiracy that investigators contend involved more than 50 youths in Centreville and a thousand grams of heroin, reports The Washington Post. According to the defense, all of the youths involved were overwhelmed by their addictions: One had a "shooting gallery" in his bedroom, and another used heroin with her boyfriend while babysitting a 5-year-old relative.

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Resources

"The State of City Leadership for Children and Families"

Research, Reports & Data —  November 03, 2009, National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families

The report highlights the broad range of emerging trends in local policy efforts to promote child and family well-being.

“Behind International Rankings of Infant Mortality: How the United States Compares with Europe”

Research, Reports & Data —  November 03, 2009, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Data suggest that much of the high infant mortality rate in the United States is due to the high percentage of preterm births.

“Family Mobility and Neighborhood Change: New evidence and implications for community initiatives”

Research, Reports & Data —  November 02, 2009, The Urban Institute

An analysis of residential mobility and neighborhood-based initiatives aimed at low-income, disadvantaged children and families.

"On the Cusp in California: How PreK-3rd strategies could improve education in the golden state"

Research, Reports & Data —  October 29, 2009, New America Foundation

The report presents California’s public school system as a model of how early education programs can be strengthened amid the current recession.

“College Enrollment Hits All-Time High, Fueled by Community College Surge”

October 29, 2009, Pew Research Center

The share of 18- to 24-year-olds attending college in the United States hit a record high in October 2008.

“Why Rural Matters 2009: The Realities of Rural Education Growth”

Research, Reports & Data —  October 28, 2009, Rural School and Community Trust

An analysis of state and federal programs aimed at helping underprivileged students in high-poverty, rural schools.

“Strengthening Community Colleges’ Influence on Economic Mobility”

Research, Reports & Data —  October 28, 2009, Pew Charitable Trusts

A data-driven analysis of how community colleges can better meet the needs of their students.

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Awards

The Casey Medals are awarded annually to recognize exemplary reporting on children and families. Learn more »

2009 Casey Medals | Magazine

Winner: "Growing Up Bipolar," Newsweek

By: Mary Carmichael

Carmichael’s article on Max Blake, a 10-year-old boy with bipolar disorder, is moving and vivid. She didn’t blink or look away from the ...

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Events

Special Events | The Newseum, Washington D.C. | October 27, 2009

2009 Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism and America's Promise Journalism Awards

Fellowships and Training | January 01, 2009

FELLOWSHIPS AND TRAINING

The Journalism Center's competitive fellowships and training sessions gives you up-close, on-the-record access to top experts in the children, youth and family field. You'll get story ideas, sources and make connections that will last long after the conference ends. Fellowships give journalists the opportunity to build knowledge and expertise on reporting critical social issues.