new My name is Sara Wu and I am a junior high school student at Santa Catalina School. I grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, where the socio-economic disparity is very apparent. By being involved in Lentera Anak Pelangi, a foundation that focuses on reducing the morbidity and mortality of underprivileged children and adolescents with HIV, I have been able to observe firsthand the stigma and discrimination they suffer, as well as how their economic status limits their access to health care and education. I hope to share my experiences with the Santa Catalina community, drawing attention to the condition of adolescents in other parts of the world. — ted.com, 37 min ago

new Importantly, the community media spaces that Satheesh opened up, where illiterate Dalit women could show their perspectives, worldviews, knowledge and work to the world, is development communication of the best kind. What’s more, Satheesh also invested in the next generations, organising even children and drawing them into deep conversations and alternative education, by setting up the Pachha Saale or the Permaculture School. Today, many of these children have evolved into community leaders. — The Wire, 8h ago

new ...“The drawing was selected out of more than 2600 entries from 63 different countries,” says Monica Talevi, head of ESA’s Education programme. “This astonishing number shows how much the very young generation can be excited and inspired by space and science. These children are our future... if life is one day discovered on one of Jupiter’s icy moons, it will be them who discover it! This is why offering inspirational learning through this competition and many more initiatives is so important for us.”... — esa.int, 8h ago

new ...article in this immersive and doggedly reported account, which reveals how the 1838 sale of 272 enslaved men, women, and children saved the debt-ridden Jesuit college now known as Georgetown University. In devastating detail, Swarns traces the sale’s impact on the families of Anna and Louisa Mahoney, sisters who labored on a Jesuit-owned plantation in St. Mary’s County, Md., until Anna and her children were sold to a plantation in Louisiana. Thanks to DNA testing and Swarns’s reporting, their descendants reunited nearly two centuries later. Intertwined with the Mahoney family story is Swarns’s searing investigation into the Catholic Church’s deep involvement in American slavery, which has fueled debates at Georgetown and other colleges and universities about what the Church owes to the descendants of those whose labor and sale value bolstered its financial, political, and spiritual power in America. Swarns makes excellent use of archival sources to recreate the lives of the enslaved families and the circumstances of the sale, which was fiercely opposed by some Jesuit priests at the time. It’s a powerful reminder of how firmly the roots of slavery are planted in America’s soil. — publishersweekly.com, 8h ago

new Today’s children go through metal detectors, pat downs and locker searches. Heck, Why go to skool? In New Yawk not one child passed the 8th grade equivalency test. The answer….. Get rid of the tests. Also those poor overworked ‘teachers’ will be going to a four day work week because of the stress the poor things endure. — EPautos - Libertarian Car Talk, 13h ago

new Since the first day the coronavirus became a worldwide pandemic, nurses have worked tirelessly to ensure their patients and families have access to safety education, medical advances, and current health information. They work to mitigate the spread of preventable diseases by teaching proper hygiene and lifestyle changes, in addition to providing quality care to those suffering from the virus. Nurses have also been instrumental in developing and implementing emergency protocols to keep medical facilities safe and well-equipped to handle the influx of patients. — Intelligent Living, 17h ago

new The provision of resources such as counseling services and the establishment of a routine that is both predictable and adaptable are two of how educators may promote equity for students. Educators may assist in meeting the academic and emotional needs of all children by establishing a trauma-informed classroom. This is especially helpful for kids who have been through traumatic experiences. — Intelligent Living, 18h ago

new As many people know, this belief is a distortion of the intent of church and state separation, which was meant to prevent a state religion, not to keep religion out of the schools. Also, low-income children may not be able to afford tuition without vouchers. — Ricochet, 21h ago

new ...is to encourage allies of the differently abled community to support agencies for people they employ, to work with them, and not just for them.ABOUT THE LOWCOUNTRY DOWN SYNDROME SOCIETY:The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) is a support group to benefit people with Down Syndrome and their families through local leadership in support, outreach, education and advocacy. Meetings are held every 3rd Thursday of the month, typically with a guest speaker and social time for families to meet and interact with one another. LDSS encourages people to bring their children. LDSS is an affiliate of the National Down Syndrome Society. For more information about LDSS, visit... — PRLog, 1d ago

new Students need age-appropriate building blocks of information, given step by step and grade level by grade level. In the early grades, especially, not all names can be named and not all conflicts can be discussed because the sheer volume of material would be overwhelming, especially for young children without prior knowledge of various figures and events. Yet even in the younger grades, repairing key omissions is part of telling a more accurate version of America’s history. Sometimes, saying that a topic is “not age-appropriate” can be a cover for avoiding topics that can, in fact, be carefully broached with children. Educators cannot ignore injustices of the past nor should they leave out inspiring changemakers. The story of NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson and what she overcame (including sexism and segregated bathrooms, which many people learned through the movie... — New America, 1d ago

new I spend time with Harvard-trained internist Dr. Clayton Baker, who practices in Western New York and led efforts on behalf of parents to keep the school systems open in this part of the country. Dr. Baker made countless appearances at school board meetings and ultimately took this into the courts to preserve parents’ rights to have their children get a public education. At best, children received forms of hybrid education, some in the classroom and some online. At worst, the public school systems went to completely online learning with no assurances that the children, in fact, could learn in this new form of teaching using computers, and now the data suggests disastrous outcomes that Dr. Baker reviews with us on the... — America Out Loud, 1d ago

new Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult for refugees to gain access to education. According to UNHCR, 68% of school-aged refugee children are enrolled in primary school, 37% of refugee youth are enrolled in secondary education, while only 6% of refugees are enrolled in higher education. — mid-east.info, 1d ago

new During the recent period when Louisville had no juvenile detention facilities, youths from Jefferson County were sent elsewhere, often 90 minutes away to a DJJ detention center in rural Adair County. This overloaded the Adair County facility while also frustrating the families and attorneys of Louisville youths.“With Jefferson County experiencing the highest juvenile crime rates in the commonwealth, we must open a detention center,” said state Rep. Kevin Bratcher, R- Louisville, primary sponsor of HB 3.▪ Instructing DJJ to sign contracts with mental health professionals to provide necessary care to youths held in juvenile detention centers.SB 162 also includes $1.5 million for DJJ to establish a diversionary program that could identify and provide treatment for youths who suffer from severe mental illness.State Rep. Rep. Keturah Herron, D- Louisville, said she was grateful for this portion.“I know that next year is going to be an official budget year,” Herron told her colleagues as the House passed the Senate bill. “I hope that we can put more resources into the prevention, intervention, reentry and alternatives to detention as well.”Language in SB 162 would protect youths from having anything they said during treatment used against them as evidence in their criminal cases. This was a concern that state officials have cited as one reason for not providing mental health treatment for youths in pre-trial detention, as compared to youths who already have been sentenced and who are housed in DJJ’s youth development centers and group homes.▪ Including statutory language that supports Beshear’s recent decision to equip youth workers inside the juvenile detention centers with tasers and pepper spray, so they can defend themselves. Lawmakers also mandated better emergency response training for DJJ staff and specially trained emergency response teams inside each facility.But lawmakers reversed Beshear on another recent decision. The governor reorganized the juvenile detention centers away from the regional model, where youths generally were sent to the nearest facility, in favor of a new system that segregated low-risk and high-risk offenders and girls from boys, all in separate facilities.Lawmakers said they sympathized with Beshear’s intent, but it resulted in many youths being housed hours away from their homes and the courts where their cases are being heard. SB 162 instructs Beshear to transition back to the regional model “while safely segregating males and females and separating violent and nonviolent offenders.”▪ Requiring that youths taken into custody for a violent felony offense must be detained for up to 48 hours — not counting weekends or holidays — before they can get a detention hearing, as well as a mental health and substance abuse evaluation.This “mandatory hold” language was controversial because it removes the discretion of court officials to decide who should be detained for an initial period based on the individual facts of a case.As part of a compromise, the change would be delayed to not take effect until July 1, 2024. Also, members of the clergy, family and other verified support persons could visit the youth during the 48-hour hold. Finally, children age 10 and younger would be exempt.Spending any time locked in a detention center is proven to have corrosive effects and should be avoided if possible, especially for impressionable teens, said Ashley Spalding, research director for the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy in Berea.“And the bill did not include investment in community-based supports and services, which research shows is what can really help kids turn their lives around, and to prevent them from becoming system-involved in the first place,” Spalding said.▪ Waiving the usual confidentiality of juvenile court records for three years after youths are convicted of a violent felony offense so they can be discovered during criminal background checks by prospective employers and others.If youths are not convicted of another serious offense during that three-year window, then their records would be sealed. — Governing, 1d ago

new ...analysis of deaths reported between 2018 and early 2023.In that time, the rate of gun suicides was 5.6 per 100,000 population, on an age-adjusted basis, and varied from 1.1 in the District of Columbia and 1.4 in Massachusetts to 15.5 in Wyoming and 13.1 in Montana.In Maryland, bill sponsor Del. David Moon, a Democrat, during floor debate called the measure “similar to what we in Maryland do for gambling, where a problem gambler can put themselves on a list.”“A person who is having a moment of clarity and wishes to place themselves on a list to prevent themselves from being able to purchase a regulated firearm, handgun, may do so,” he added.Although House of Delegates Minority Leader Jason Buckel, a Republican, during the debate said, “I like the word ‘voluntary,’” he ultimately voted against the bill during its 96-36 passage. He did not respond to a request for comment. The measure now goes to the state Senate for consideration.As in other states, Maryland’s registry allows people to take themselves off the no-sell list without leaving a trace in the public record. In Utah, the minimum time on the list is 30 days; in Maryland, it would be three weeks.“You’re basically creating a mandatory waiting period for yourself,” Moon said in the debate.The self-registry is meant to draw bipartisan support by respecting the Second Amendment right to own a gun, said Frederick Vars, a University of Alabama School of Law professor who also has helped draft model legislation for Donna’s Law.“I’m hoping bills get introduced all over,” said Vars, adding that he’s working with legislative staffers to prepare bills in Alabama and Michigan. He helped draft model legislation that Brees then helped promote.About 100 people have signed the existing registries, he said, a drop in the bucket compared with studies he’s helped conduct showing 30 percent of adults and 46 percent of psychiatric patients want to enroll in such a registry, he said. Similar laws have been proposed in California and Louisiana, but so far, they haven’t advanced.In Texas, state Sen. Nathan Johnson, a Democrat from the Dallas area, proposed a bill based on Donna’s Law in 2021, and again this year after reading about the idea in The Wall Street Journal. He’s optimistic that because the registry would be voluntary, it eventually will get attention from the Republican-dominated legislature.“In Texas, there’s a tremendous political and cultural climate in support of gun owner rights,” Johnson said. “This doesn’t even create the appearance of infringing on those rights. We can prevent suicide and promote personal autonomy at the same time — everybody has the right to say, ‘I don’t want to own a gun.’”States also are trying other options with the stated intent of cutting rising rates of gun suicide.A Colorado bill that passed the state House this month would require a three-day waiting period for delivery of a firearm, noting that “establishing a waiting period for receipt of firearms can help prevent impulsive acts of firearm violence, including homicides and suicides.”In Hawaii, a bill passed by the state House and under consideration by the state Senate mentions suicide prevention as a goal of required firearms safety training. And a North Carolina bill with Democratic sponsors, introduced early this month in the state House, cites suicide as the primary reason for a red flag, or extreme risk protection order, to restrict a person’s access to firearms after a court finding that they’re a danger to themselves or others.The most effective methods of preventing gun suicide have been strict licensing requirements, said Joshua Horwitz, a public health professor at Johns Hopkins University focused on gun violence prevention, because the rules usually include waiting periods and the ability to screen for mental health issues. Gun safety legislation also plays an important role, he said.“Suicide is under-appreciated. It’s the biggest chunk of the gun violence problem,” said Horwitz. “We can’t stop all suicide, but if we make the means less lethal, we can save lives.”It’s too soon to say how effective Donna’s Law can be, he added.“It’s interesting. For some individuals, it could be the solution, but we need to know more,” Horwitz said.More mental health services also could help alleviate gun suicide rates, especially in the rural states most affected. But the return on investment would be much lower, said Thomas Wickizer, an emeritus professor of public health at the Ohio State University who has studied state firearm suicides and how the availability of mental health services can reduce them.He has concluded that restricting firearm access would be far more effective than mental health services alone.“For every firearm suicide death avoided, states would have to expend roughly $15 million to increase their mental health workforce,” Wickizer said. “Obviously, this is not practical.”Mental health services are more effective in preventing other types of suicide, he added.“Firearm suicide is impulsive and almost always lethal,” Wickizer said. “Other suicide methods are less lethal and afford the persons who do not die an opportunity to obtain help through the mental health services system.”... — Governing, 1d ago

new Psychotherapist LeeAndra Miller has worked in LGBTQ2+ mental health care for over twenty-five years and is the project manager of Families in TRANSition at Central Toronto Youth Services, a virtual, nationwide program that provides psycho-educational support to hundreds of parents whose children have recently come out as transgender. (I helped develop the program’s curriculum while working there between January 2020 and October 2021, and I returned there part time last June.) They push back against the traditional notion that gender is a fixed trait, with gender transition being a linear and permanent shift from one gender to another. — The Walrus, 1d ago

new ...created and led by Black women for the future we want and how to build it. The ability to live freely, plan families and parent children in safe and sustainable communities requires states to empower people on many levels. They need access to safe housing, nutrition, economic opportunities, as well as reproductive care, to live healthy, happy lives informed by their own choices. We are far from that vision today. Banning mifepristone would only put it that much farther out of reach. — Ms. Magazine, 1d ago

new It’s impossible to know exactly how much crime people would have committed in adulthood had there been no school choice. But the researchers were able to estimate the influence of the school lottery policy by looking at three separate years of fifth graders in each neighborhood. These are tiny sub-neighborhoods, sometimes just a few blocks in area. The researchers tracked how future criminal activity fluctuated depending upon how many of their peers left for lottery schools. In years when more peers left for lottery schools, the adult crime figures for the children left behind increased. The following year, if fewer peers left for lottery schools, subsequent crime figures fell back again. — TodayHeadline, 1d ago

new ..., there is a significant latent workforce amongst female workers, particularly those with young children who find it difficult to access affordable childcare among many other barriers to re-entering the workforce. It is important for businesses to consider how to attract and retain female talent in the workplace by offering tangible solutions such as flexible working policies, paid parental leave and female mentorship and leadership from the top to drive and prioritise these efforts. — SME Business Daily Media, 1d ago

new We cannot forget the girls of Afghanistan and the hundreds of millions of children and adolescents across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America whose education is disrupted and denied due to conflicts and forced displacement. We cannot ignore the world’s forgotten crises as we build back together and work to create a more just, more equal world, as The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, UN Special Envoy for Global Education and Chair of the ECW High-Level Steering Group so passionately highlighted in his... — Inter Press Service, 1d ago

new Inspired by revolutionary mothering and radical feminist liberators, such as Fannie Lou Hamer and bell hooks, this presentation will reexamine the role of socially engaged practitioners, educators, and art agitators, highlighting our collective care and community work through the lens of Neurodivergent parenting and anti-ableist creative resistance. Jen will share the visual research that led to the creation of the KnoxRoxs, an advocacy photo zine dedicated to her Autistic son Knox, as a way to give visibility to children of color in Neurodiverse communities. Jen will also share the impact of accessible neurodivergent student-led workshops where students were encouraged to begin telling their own disabled in Higher Ed stories, using zines and manifestos as alternative methods of self-expression and protest being given the autonomy to identify qualities unique to them that are rarely seen in the media. And lastly there will be conversation around re-designing and hacking the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) which includes breaking the visual cycle of unjust stigmas and ableism within social and clinical practices. *This event is open to the entire Barnard community. Dinner will be provided. Register here. — barnard.edu, 1d ago

new Leena Al Derham, EAA Foundation, said, “Some children face challenges that reduce their chances of staying in school. These include; living in poverty, exposure to conflict-affected environments, suffering chronic illness, having work responsibilities (child labour), and disability. We are happy to support another joint partnership project in Zambia, together with our partner, and other supporters, we are helping children stay in school and providing them with the opportunity to learn and develop the skills they need to access a better future.”... — thepeninsulaqatar.com, 1d ago

new In the partnership between the Government of Liberia, UNFPA, and Sweden, the achievement of sexual and reproductive health relies on the realization of sexual and reproductive rights (SRHR), which are based on the human rights of all individuals to have their bodily integrity, privacy, and personal autonomy respected; freely define their own sexuality; decide whether and when to be sexually active; choose their sexual partners; have safe and pleasurable sexual experiences; decide whether, when, and whom to marry; decide whether, when, and by what means to have a child or children, and how many children to have; have access over their lifetimes to the information, resources, services, and support necessary to achieve all the above, free from discrimination, coercion, exploitation, and violence. — Liberian Observer, 1d ago

new Homelessness and addiction often go hand in hand, says Joey Rubio. He would know. He spent years without a roof over his head, living in canyons and using drugs … and spent decades locked up behind bars. But all that’s behind him now. He’s been sober for seven years and works for the nonprofit McAlister Institute for Treatment and Education in Chula Vista. Joey Rubio McAlister Institute for Treatment and Education “We have a kitchen, we have food. And we have a morning meditation here. We have NA meetings, AA meetings. This is where a lot of the stuff happens.” Rubio says an “ugly childhood” led him down a dark path – he was selling and using heroin by the age of 10. He’s 63 now, and along with getting sober… he got certified as a drug and alcohol counselor. Now, Rubio's a role model for others. Joey Rubio McAlister Institute for Treatment and Education “Basically what I try to teach these guys is: life skills, how to be responsible at your job, how to keep a job, how to do resumes – all that stuff. Because I didn't know how to do any of that myself.” He supervises a program called Work for Hope … and there’s nothing else quite like it in the county. It's a partnership with police, park rangers and the city of Chula Vista. Since 2018 it’s been paying homeless individuals to beautify local parks. Robert McLean (MIC-lain) has been in the program for two months. Robert Mclean Work for Hope Participant “You know it helps you save money and get back reverted into society. And plus you're giving back to the city too, which is a good thing.” Diana Villarreal is also improving Chula Vista’s parks as part of Work for Hope. The mother of seven says it's more effective than other rehabilitation programs she’s tried, because Rubio can relate to her. Diana Villarreal Work for Hope Participant “Him knowing where I come from and involved in the same similar lifestyle as I grew up. He was really really understanding. He really knew what it's like to get back on your feet.” McLean says Work for Hope has given him purpose. It helped him find sobriety, housing and a life that didn’t seem possible … or forever lost. Robert Mclean Work for Hope Participant “It opens up doors for work. Like for myself I just got hired in another program – which is pretty good. I'll be working for Petco Park. And this program kept me focused man, and say ‘okay getting up early in the morning, come to work,’ getting back in a routine.” Getting people to take part in the program isn't always easy. Rubio’s outreach work happens in canyons, parks, on the streets and in one infamous area dubbed “the jungle.” That’s where hundreds of people live in the brush near the 805 and 54 freeways. Rubio says he gains the trust of people he meets over time, with consistent contact. He says the relationships he builds help people accept the services they need. Joey Rubio McAlister Institute for Treatment and Education “What I want you to do is come see me brother and we’ll help you get off the streets. We have showers there, we have washing machines – you can wash your tramados (clothes) – that type of stuff. And we'll work on a plan to get you off the streets and stay off the streets, get you a real good job making more money than I'm making.” Rubio has helped hundreds of people reclaim their lives and inspired many to give back in a similar way, like Villarreal plans to do. She says Work for Hope’s model should extend beyond Chula Vista. Diana Villarreal Work for Hope Participant “San Diego’s lagging because if there were more programs like this, it’d be more homelessness off the streets, they'd be in sober living environments. They’d have that light at the end of the tunnel, they’d boost themselves up. They wouldn't be in their tents or where they're at.” Joey Rubio McAlister Institute for Treatment and Education “For the fiscal year over 200 people and we're not even done: Off the streets, employable, housed, reunified with their families, with their children – single parents. We're making an impact here.” Rubio says there’s a need for more people like himself, those with lived experiences, in homeless outreach and addiction counseling. Joey Rubio McAlister Institute for Treatment and Education “I just wish more people would get involved. We have a fentanyl pandemic. We have a homelessness all over San Diego, LA County – all over. Homelessness is everywhere, you know, and I want to address those people and help those people out.” Rubio has big dreams to expand his team’s efforts to beautify other parts of the county and California … and get more people permanently off of the streets … but it costs money to do that. His organization is running out of financial resources and actively applying for grant funding. Their goal is to raise $1 million, which would keep Work for Hope running for nearly a decade. Jacob Aere, KPBS News. — KPBS Public Media, 1d ago

new Over more than a decade in behavioral health services for the Orange County, Calif., Health Care Agency, Dr. Clayton Chau saw how hard it was for people in distress to get the care they need. As worried as he was about their mental problems, he knew they were more likely to be struck down by physical illness.The county has among the largest immigrant populations in the U.S., and Chau focused his work on vulnerable populations. When the Affordable Care Act passed, he made a move to the insurance industry to understand how decisions about care are made. Under a multiyear federal grant, he explored what it would take for physicians to embrace “whole person care,” integrating health care, behavioral health and social services. — Governing, 1d ago

new This all factors to the need of higher monitoring and shutting down of those illicit crowd-funding networks, significantly these which might be making use of legit banking assets; staying on high of cryptocurrency tendencies with IS and maybe most vital of all getting forward of IS girls who’re smuggling their youth of the camps into the fingers of IS. This requires constructing extra rehabilitation facilities as extra younger boys age into puberty and transferring youth who’re susceptible to be smuggled out as fighters for IS into them and making them enticing locations for the youth to need to go, and if potential, getting their mom’s purchase in as properly, in order that these moms not need to smuggle them out to IS relatively than know their sons are being properly fed, cared for, educated and are protected in such facilities. For some deeply pro-IS girls this will probably be a tall order and maybe unattainable to perform, however given the second writer’s impression of how pleased youth moved into the Orkesh rehabilitation middle seem like and say that they’re, phrase might get again to the youth themselves nonetheless within the camps, that it’s a much better choice to be place in a rehabilitation middle than smuggled out by their moms to grow to be IS fighters. — Bitcoin Press UK, 1d ago

new By the end of May 2023, Nigeria will have a new president following February’s elections.Among his many duties, the person who takes over will be expected to appraise the nation’s performance and its commitment to protecting the environment. Nigeria is a signatory to many international conventions on environment-related treaties. Nigeria’s biological and physical environments – in particular, its forests, inland waters, and coastal waters – have inevitably been affected by its population growth. This rise in population has led to growing socio-economic needs. These include residential buildings and more physical infrastructure, such as roads, hospitals, and schools. More space is needed for people, at the cost of natural environments; and people’s activities have also contributed to pollution.The biggest threat to the environment in Nigeria is people’s lack of awareness and understanding of what they can do to keep it clean and healthy. A commitment to the environment should begin at the family level. It extends from there to the top. The incoming-president will have to initiate and drive progress on policies and plans that preserve the country’s natural resources.What’s under threatNigeria’s rapid urbanisation has taken a toll on the natural environment as cities and towns have expanded and become interconnected. These developments have also led to the fragmentation of the forests, making many species that depend on a wide geographic range susceptible to poaching. Animals could become threatened or extinct once their habitats are lost or fragmented.Nigeria’s inland waters (streams, rivers, and lagoons) and coastal environment are not faring well. Many people dump their waste into the waterways. The pollutants are then carried by large rivers into lagoons and, eventually, the sea. Plastic waste is the chief pollutant of Nigeria’s water bodies. No decisive action has been taken to manage the problem.Decades of oil exploration, too, have severely contaminated some of the country’s important rivers. The level of mining effluents in some of the country’s waterways is alarming. What needs to be doneThe country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has set a number of targets.Environmental education: My research group conducted a study in which we discovered that Nigeria had not yet met the first target. This was that by 2020, at least 30% of Nigerians should be familiar with the idea of biological diversity.We recommended, that environmental education be made compulsory at all levels. Government agencies should use electronic and social media to educate the public about the need to protect natural ecosystems.Establishment of conservation areas: The sixth target of the environmental plan is that at least 10% of Nigeria’s territory should be conservation areas. This is vital in view of the country’s expanding population and encroachment into natural environments.To start with, the undisturbed forests, rivers, and streams, especially those that harbour threatened species, should be designated as conservation areas as soon as possible. Once a conservation area is established, encroachment will stop as these locations are normally off-limits to human habitation. Managing population growth and infrastructural development: Nigeria’s population exceeds those of countries with much larger land areas, such as Ethiopia, Tanzania and Angola. Population growth should therefore be a focus area for the new president. Housing policies should discourage indiscriminate building, especially in forested areas. Housing estates should be environmentally compliant. Each household should be required by law to plant and nurture at least one tree to maturity. This could help create green environments, reduce carbon buildup in the atmosphere, and create a cool environment.Funding: The next president will also need to make more budgetary allocations for environmental education and conservation projects. There are still many unexplored natural sites with threatened species in Nigeria. They need to be protected before they are lost.Laws: The plastic pollution bill hasn’t been passed. It needs to be sent back to the National Assembly as soon as possible for quick passage. Single-use plastics should be banned for tourists in all protected areas, parks, and beaches. Nigeria can’t afford to be complacent. Several African nations have passed laws prohibiting plastic pollution and are enforcing them to varying degrees.Specialists: To drive this agenda, the nation needs to employ professional zoologists, botanists and environmental scientists in the ministries, departments, and agencies of government that are responsible for protecting natural environments. There are two constraints to this happening. First, many young Nigerians find some of these courses less appealing. Second, career prospects are low: some of the available positions are filled by people who aren’t natural scientists. Enrolment in environment-related programmes (especially in fee-paying private universities) should be encouraged with incentives such as scholarships and career opportunities. Four of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals have an environmental emphasis, which is not surprising, given that, as humans, we are only as healthy as our environment. Thus, the next president of Nigeria should give environmental protection as much care as he does the economy and the security of lives and properties. — Financial Nigeria International Limited, 2d ago

new Anne Speckhard, Ph.D., is Director of the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism (ICSVE) and serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She has interviewed over 700 terrorists, their family members and supporters in various parts of the world including in Western Europe, the Balkans, Central Asia, the Former Soviet Union and the Middle East. In the past three years, she has interviewed ISIS (n=239) defectors, returnees and prisoners as well as al Shabaab cadres (n=16) and their family members (n=25) as well as ideologues (n=2), studying their trajectories into and out of terrorism, their experiences inside ISIS (and al Shabaab), as well as developing the Breaking the ISIS Brand Counter Narrative Project materials from these interviews which includes over 175 short counter narrative videos of terrorists denouncing their groups as un-Islamic, corrupt and brutal which have been used in over 125 Facebook campaigns globally. She has also been training key stakeholders in law enforcement, intelligence, educators, and other countering violent extremism professionals on the use of counter-narrative messaging materials produced by ICSVE both locally and internationally as well as studying the use of children as violent actors by groups such as ISIS and consulting with governments on issues of repatriation and rehabilitation. In 2007, she was responsible for designing the psychological and Islamic challenge aspects of the Detainee Rehabilitation Program in Iraq to be applied to 20,000 + detainees and 800 juveniles. She is a sought after counterterrorism expert and has consulted to NATO, OSCE, the EU Commission and EU Parliament, European and other foreign governments and to the U.S. Senate & House, Departments of State, Defense, Justice, Homeland Security, Health & Human Services, CIA, and FBI and appeared on CNN, BBC, NPR, Fox News, MSNBC, CTV, and in Time, The New York Times, The Washington Post, London Times and many other publications. She regularly speaks and publishes on the topics of the psychology of radicalization and terrorism and is the author of several books, including Talking to Terrorists, Bride of ISIS, Undercover Jihadi and ISIS Defectors: Inside Stories of the Terrorist Caliphate. Her publications are found here: https://georgetown.academia.edu/AnneSpeckhardWebsite: and on the ICSVE website http://www.icsve.org... — Hstoday, 1d ago

new ..., myFinHealth features the Your Money Personality™ financial behavior assessment that analyzes each user’s financial “personality.” The interactive, mobile-friendly platform also provides:● Financial education courses with personalized action plans on topics including budgeting, mortgages, healthcare, college savings, student loan repayment, banking, credit, financial planning and more● Geographically localized articles● Interactive tools and analyzersIntroducing the platform is timely in today’s landscape. Canada’s Financial Wellness Lab found that 60 percent of employed North Americans are more stressed about their finances today than they were a year ago and are experiencing the highest level of financial stress since the financial crisis of 2008.CCCU President and CEO Adrian Legin said myFinHealth is a great resource to help improve the financial health of the credit union’s members and clients.“At Coastal Community, we know that providing user-friendly, high-quality financial education helps build financial resiliency,” said Legin. “Our aim in partnering with Enrich is to reduce financial stress by helping our members and clients develop appropriate and personalized action steps within the four financial health pillars: spending, saving, borrowing and planning. This program is a great resource for all of our members and clients, no matter where they are in their financial journey.”Enrich is one of the only financial wellness programs to offer a global product that allows multinational employers to implement one consistent, highly personalized financial wellness solution for employees in different countries. Used by more than 20,000 employers and more than 300 financial institutions, Enrich is powered by artificial intelligence technology that engages each user with the most relevant content based on financial situation and stage of life.Enrich data from January 2020 to December 2021 found significant increases in financial wellness among its users:-35 percent increase in users who reported that they are on track with saving for their goals-14 percent increase in users who are contributing to their retirement savings plan-59 percent increase in users who had built up an emergency savings of at least three months of living expenses-28 percent increase in users who pay off credit card debt in full monthlyThe Enrich data showed that users who reported lower financial stress said that decrease was substantial–nearly 32 percent. Nearly 36 percent attributed that reduction in financial stress to using the Enrich platform.“Improved financial wellness can have a major positive impact on overall quality of life,” said Donna Miller, iGrad vice president of business development. “Many adults of all income levels all over the world are worried about their financial future. We are thrilled to be a key part of CCCU’s commitment to improving the financial wellness of its members.”About iGradiGrad is a San Diego-based financial technology company that provides artificial intelligence-powered financial wellness solutions to more than 2.7 million students at 650 colleges and universities, over 20,000 employers and over 300 financial institutions. iGrad’s Your Money Personality™ was recently recognized by the Institute for Financial Literacy with the 2020 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education (EIFLE) Adults’ Education Program of the Year award. iGrad is one of three 2020 honorees in the inaugural Barron's Celebrates: Financial Empowerment, after being selected by a team of judges for its contributions to improving the financial health and security of Americans. iGrad recently received the 2022 Eddy Award for Financial Wellness by Pensions & Investments for its Enrich platform. For more information about the iGrad platform, visit https://www.igradfinancialwellness.com. For more information about the Enrich platform for employers and financial institutions, visit http://www.enrich.org. — PR.com, 2d ago

new As part of pandemic recovery efforts, social protection support must be calibrated to ensure that adolescents with disabilities are able to re-enrol in education and to access medical and psychosocial support services. Longer term, to tackle poverty and economic vulnerabilities of adolescents with disabilities and their families during future crises, social protection platforms should be expanded and adapted to respond to shocks in a timely way, while prioritising the needs of the most disadvantaged adolescents. Programming might include cash to enable distance learning, education fee waivers, covering costs of internet connectivity and devices (for example, Unicef Jordan distributed tablets to adolescents during the pandemic... — The BMJ, 2d ago

new ...is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant by the The Duke Endowment toward its plan to promote awareness, education and support for mental health services by expanding the Clubhouse Model of psychosocial rehabilitation in North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. The project is a pilot project beginning this year in South Carolina for U.S. national expansion.For almost 30 years, Clubhouse International has been the champion of the Clubhouse Model for people living with mental illness; this is an approach that puts into practice the active participation of people in their own recovery process. Many people living with a mental health condition still lack access to quality services that respond to their needs and respect their rights and dignity. The Clubhouse Model, a community-based service, addresses many of these challenges by providing resources and opportunities for recovery such as gainful employment, education, wellness, friendships, access to social services and much more. The model is designed to specifically address the social determinants of mental health and general health that can help alleviate the many challenges faced by people living with mental illness.“We are grateful to the Duke Endowment for supporting our efforts and sharing our belief that people living with mental illness should have the opportunity to (re)build their lives as integral members of society. We are committed to bringing the Clubhouse approach to recovery to many new communities in North Carolina and South Carolina, and appreciative of this grant, which will allow us to reach many more people living with mental illness and develop long-lasting community partnerships. Our vision is that one day there is a Clubhouse in every community.” -Joel D. Corcoran, Executive Director & CEO, Clubhouse InternationalThe campaign: Using a focused approach - educate, engage and advocate - Clubhouse International will launch an ambitious grassroots project that cultivates support for mental health resources and a better understanding of the significant value Clubhouses can provide. To do this, Clubhouse International will develop and coordinate a state-based coalition of community leaders, mental health advocates and existing Clubhouse programs that will seek to develop new Clubhouse programs throughout each state. Gateway, a well-established and exemplary example of the Clubhouse Model in Greenville, SC, will be a key partner in this effort.Several key components will be implemented throughout a three-year timeframe, including: hiring a state project manager; identifying partners and allies; developing statewide networks and coalitions; selecting locations for development; fostering statewide and local education, awareness, engagement, and advocacy; establishing local startup groups; providing new Clubhouse development training; conducting ongoing mentoring; creating long range planning for sustainability and continued growth beyond the grant period.The impact: The new Clubhouses established as a result of this effort will greatly expand recovery opportunities for people living with serious mental illness, and will have long lasting benefits for individuals and communities. Excellent employment services, reduced use of emergency and crisis services, improved quality of life and lower hospitalization rates are some of the typical outcomes of a Clubhouse program.Criteria for success: Clubhouse members are typically people living with serious mental illness who struggle with being disconnected or unsuccessful at everyday activities that most would consider necessary for a safe and satisfying life. Our primary goal, and measurement of success, is greater opportunity for these individuals to receive the services that they so desperately need. Clubhouses programs will be integral and valued parts of the community mental health service system throughout the state, ultimately becoming as common as local senior centers. Psychiatrists, social workers, mental health case managers and residential programs will regularly refer individuals to Clubhouses. Thousands will benefit from being connected to a local community of people providing understanding, support and opportunities for recovery.Clubhouse International is a global organization, working to end social and economic isolation for people with mental illness. Clubhouse International coordinates and connects a global network of Clubhouses that are based on the Clubhouse Model of psychosocial rehabilitation that is recognized by the World Health Organization as an example of a rights-based approach to recovery. Today, there are over 330 Clubhouses worldwide operating on all six continents, with more than 215 in the U.S. Clubhouses offer resources and opportunities for recovery through friendship, employment, education, wellness, and social programming. There is no health without mental health.Based in Charlotte and established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. Since its founding, it has distributed more than $4 billion in grants. The Endowment shares a name with Duke University and Duke Energy, but all are separate organizations.Get involved: Individual stakeholders and organizations interested in getting involved with this mental health service expansion project, please contact Clubhouse International at getinvolved@clubhouse-intl.org.Media inquiries:Anna Sackett RountreeDirector of Communications, Clubhouse Internationalasackett@clubhouse-intl.org; (716) 302-4307... — PR.com, 2d ago

new Although there are many types of humanitarian and fragile settings, we focus here on contexts affected by armed conflict and environmental disasters. Attention to the wellbeing of adolescents in such settings is essential because of the detrimental effects these contextual factors have on the physical, social, and cognitive changes experienced during this life stage. As humanitarian crises are often protracted, young people may spend much or all of their adolescence in such settings, with the resulting vulnerabilities continuing throughout their lives. Breakdown of family and supportive networks as populations are forced into displacement creates an unstable ecosystem for adolescents to form meaningful and emotional connections with others. These effects are often exacerbated by poverty, gender inequities, and human rights violations, as well as mental illness from the stressors derived from the crises themselves. These factors increase the vulnerability of adolescents to problems such as misuse of drugs and alcohol, sexual exploitation, academic underachievement because of interruption to schooling, reduced economic prospects, chronic poverty, poor psychosocial outcomes, and sexual and gender based violence. — The BMJ, 2d ago

new ...)-- Etty Burk, an organizational psychologist who works with teams and organizations, has published a new children's book titled Aaron The Different: A Story of Courage, Belonging, and Acceptance aimed at teaching children and adults about diversity and inclusion.The book follows the story of an eight-year-old boy named Aaron who is different from everyone else in his country called Premium on the planet Astron. Aaron's small, round, and green appearance sets him apart from his tall, perfectly purple family and friends, and his classmates tease him and won't play with him. The book takes readers on a journey with Aaron, as he befriends strange and wonderful creatures, the sunmoonies and myrtledockers, who live in the forest and teach him the secrets of the mysterious underground caves and tunnels. When disaster strikes during a school field trip, Aaron is faced with the challenge of his life. Something happens that changes everything, showing Aaron the value of his true inner strength, boosting his confidence, and inspiring the people of Premium forever.The story serves as a catalyst for important discussions about respect, kindness, and acceptance with children and adults. It emphasizes that we all possess unique skills and talents and have the power to make real positive change. Etty Burk delivers a powerful lesson for people of all ages about diversity and inclusion in Aaron's story. Burk's passion for inclusion resulted in this story of tolerance, belonging, hope, and being unique."Children who feel excluded or different will be able to relate to the story's message of acceptance and self-worth," says one early reviewer. "The book's colorful graphics and short chapters help stimulate discussion and reflection. There are insightful questions to promote discussion between a parent and a child or in a classroom. This thought-provoking, uplifting book addresses bullying, being different, acceptance, and inclusion. Great for elementary schools and for any child who feels excluded or different."Published by Publish Your Purpose under the PYP Academy Press imprint, Aaron The Different is available for purchase at bookstores nationwide and on Bookshop.org. For more information, visit the author's website.Aaron The Different: A Story of Courage, Belonging, and AcceptanceISBN: 9781955985826, 978-195598584098 pages, 6 x 9, paperback $16.95, hardcover $26.95, and eBook $8.49. — PR.com, 2d ago

new ...)-- Jacqueline Yvonne Smart, Ed.D., a retired educator who earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College School of Education, has completed her new book, “The Beautiful Colors of God”: a charming tale that aims to inspire acceptance and understanding towards those who may look differently that oneself, and discourage judging someone based on the color of their skin.“God has given us so many varieties of how He used His colors,” writes Smart. “It is okay to be different. The message cleverly delivers the importance of acceptance, understanding, tolerance of others and confidence in an accessible, child-friendly format. The book features the bold, bright colors of various animals and, of course, humans in their glorious colors.“This book is written for the young at heart and the not so young at heart. People of all ages will be inspired to celebrate their individuality through acceptance of others and it’s never too early or too late to examine ourselves and how we treat one another. Always remember that when you criticize or judge someone based on their skin color, the size of their nose, or the texture of their hair – you are criticizing God. God does not favor one color over another.”Published by Page Publishing, Jacqueline Yvonne Smart, Ed.D.’s delightful story is a poignant reminder that all humans are created in God’s image, and one criticizes their neighbor, they are in fact criticizing God. Accompanied by vibrant artwork to help emphasize her message, “The Beautiful Colors of God” is the perfect tool for guardians and parents alike to help younger readers understand the importance of accepting others and not passing judgment.Readers who wish to experience this inspiring work can... — PR.com, 2d ago

new ...of the elite. To be highly educated is to hold some higher degree or credential than the average American. A midwit teacher can loudly proclaim that with her Masters degree she is more capable and qualified of caring for children than any parent without. A scientist who maintains that there are differences between individuals beyond those conferred by socialization isn't highminded enough to be allowed to influence policy at any level. — Sott.net, 2d ago

new A Patterson High School student was killed Monday afternoon in the Joseph Lee Playfields area near the school. *UPDATE* (7:30 am/7) The victim in this case has been identified as 16-year-old Izaiah Carter. Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the 5900 block of East Pratt Street around 2:00 p.m. where a teenager was shot in the head. He died in a hospital. Outside of the school, there’s a massive crime scene where homicide detectives are mostly moving around a backpack on the floor. Several witnesses said they heard gunshots. “What we need to know now is who might have been with this student. Why they were in the park that hour before school started. Anything that anyone saw, heard, or believed happened at the playground must be reported to the police immediately,” Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said. Advice will be made available to students Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Metropolitan Police will be stepping up patrols at the school. There are no classes in Patterson on Tuesday. Baltimore City Public Schools tweeted a statement, saying, “We are aware of police activity in the vicinity of Patterson High School. Although we can safely release students, the investigation may affect traffic in the area. We don’t have many details to share right away, other than that the investigation is taking place off-campus. We will provide additional updates as we know more.” Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866- 7LOCKUP. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott released a statement, in of which he said: “Earlier this morning I was at the scene of a murder that resulted in the death of another young person at gunpoint. Every time a life is lost in Baltimore, I feel a deep pain – a pain that only deepens , if the life lost was a young person.” Today’s loss is tremendous. Another family lost a loved one; another community lost a young life; and Baltimore lost the potential that young person would have in our city And while I’m angry and saddened at the loss of another young person, I’m even more determined to do whatever I can to help continue this trend of youth violence that we are witnessing. “I want to speak directly to the young people of Baltimore, ‘You are destined to be great, but you must find another way to resolve conflict. I want you all to grow into the best version of yourself, and I will give every ounce of energy in my body to make sure our city gives you every opportunity to do so. Each of you has the power to create your own narrative. You have the power to write the story as the young people of Baltimore do ours changed your city for the better. But to see the change, you have to be the change. You have to take stock of your surroundings – and ask yourself: Are they trying to go where you want to go? When your circle isn’t going where If you go, you’ll have to make the difficult decision of changing your circle.If we’re being honest, we know that our friends, classmates, teammates, brothers and sisters of Men are murdered by people they once considered friends at Patterson Park High School. “As your Mayor, I am taking immediate action to address youth violence in our city – and I ask each of you to join me in the fight to save the lives of our city’s young people. A little over a month ago I met with the City of Baltimore City School Commissioners, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City Health Department, MONSE, community-based partners and others to reinvigorate our partnership to identify youth most at risk of victimization and/ or violent offenders.” Working with the school board and city schools, my administration will conduct intensive case management to support youth identified as most vulnerable and their families. “In addition, we will continue the important work to combat illegal weapons. We will continue to prosecute those who perpetuate violence and those who those who sell guns and put them on our streets. We will hold gun control manufacturers accountable because every part of this cycle of violence counts. “Baltimore, we will address this issue of gun violence — together.”... — newsbeezer.com, 2d ago

new Third, home-schooled children have parents who want their children to learn some religious principles or some classical languages. Before the mid 1900’s, education was not developed, there was no concept of public school. People have always taught their children at home, for religious purposes, to give them the right to education, which evolved into schools and evolved into what we now know as public schools (” Homeschooling Isn’t” Par1). — Rebellion Research, 2d ago

new ...revealed that 52% of Iowa adults surveyed, including half of those who are parents of children under 18, favor legislation to ban gender-affirming medical treatments in minors. An even larger majority supports prohibiting instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation to children in sixth grade or younger. (Notably, the survey was taken during the days immediately preceding and including the day the gender identity instruction bill passed the House.) When accounting just for parents of minor children, the number of those polled who support a ban on gender identity education for K-6 students exceeds the number of those who do not by over 20 points. — thegazette.com, 2d ago

new Recent events have shown us that the materialist atheism that devastated the Russian Empire and the world since 1917 – as the Most Blessed Virgin Mary announced at Fatima – has today joined liberalism in the globalist ideology which underlies the delirious project of the New World Order. An infernal project, as President Vladimir Vladimirovič Putin rightly pointed out in a recent speech, in which hatred for Christian civilization wants to create a society of slaves subservient to the Davos elite. A dystopian society, without past and without future, without faith and without ideals, without culture and without art, without fathers and mothers, without family and spirituality, without teachers and spiritual guides, without either respect for the elderly or hopes for our children. We cannot be surprised that, after de-Christianizing the Western world, this elite considers Russia an enemy to be overthrown. The Russian Federation undeniably stands as the last bastion of civilization against barbarism, and gathers around it all those nations that do not intend to submit to the colonization of NATO, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and that heap of foundations that have as their purpose the indoctrination of the masses, the manipulation of information, the creation of “colored springs” to destabilize governments legitimately elected and sow chaos, wars and misery as... — RAIR, 2d ago