Updates from NC Child

NEWS HEADLINES

Governor who expanded Medicaid in a red state pushes it in NC as GOP resistance thaws Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich made an impassioned plea to North Carolina lawmakers to expand Medicaid, making an explicitly moral case for increasing access to health care. - The News & Observer

Using Medicaid to fund more mental health supports for schools Quarry Williams spent a lot of time getting to know his students when he became coordinator of the Honor Opportunity Purpose Excellence (HOPE) alternative learning program in Edgecombe County Public Schools. - EdNC

Childhood Trauma and COVID-19 "If we want kids to be thriving, we need to make sure that they are growing up in families and communities that are thriving,” says NC Child Executive Director Michelle Hughes. - PBS NC

Opinion: Critics are wrong. The evidence on NC Pre-K is clear. North Carolina’s pre-kindergarten program (NC Pre-K) has over 15 years of data and research suggesting that the state’s program for low income 4-year-olds has lasting impacts. - The News & Observer

Virginia teens press General Assembly for action on mental health

It’s been a long two years for youth in Virginia. Advocates say the recent turmoil highlighted the state’s lack of investment in mental health services for students.

“This issue is just going to get worse if we don't do something now,” says Allison Gilbreath, policy and programs director at the advocacy group Voices for Virginia’s Children.

For the past several years, Voices has turned to a group rarely seen in the halls of the legislature: teenagers themselves. Read more from VPM.