Children

January 26, 2009 -- Some 7.4 million children were enrolled in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) in 2008 -- a four percent increase over the previous year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today. The announcement comes as Congress is debating reauthorization of SCHIP, which is projected to expand coverage to an additional four million children.

“With unemployment numbers rising and the economy struggling to regain momentum, more and more American families are relying on SCHIP to insure their children get the health coverage they need,” said Acting HHS Secretary Charles Johnson. “It is no surprise that SCHIP enrollment went up in 2008 and we expect this trend to continue well into 2009 if the program is reauthorized.”    » read more »

January 26, 2009 -- When parents have access to proven parenting information and support designed to address problems all families face—from tantrums to encouraging good behavior—key measures of child maltreatment fall, according to a study released in the Jan. 26 online edition of the journal Prevention Science.

The study, which was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found lower rates of confirmed abuse cases, child out–of–home placements, and hospitalizations and emergency room visits for child injuries in counties where parenting support was implemented.    » read more »

September 1, 2008 -- ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, Sarah and Todd Palin issued the following statement regarding today's Reuters story:

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.    » read more »

Aug. 12, 2008 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced today that he will move ahead will a fiscally responsible CARE package of tax rebates for New Mexico families to reflect an updated revenue picture for the state.

“The bottom line is the state still expects $225 million in extra money – money that should go back to New Mexico families who are struggling to make ends meet,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “I am confident we can put money in people’s pockets in a fiscally responsible way."    » read more »

State bill would ban use of Bisphenol A in baby bottles and other feeding devices

August 11, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-Calif.) today called on the California State Assembly to pass legislation that would prohibit the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles, sippy cups and other feeding devices for children ages three and younger.

Senators Feinstein and Boxer have co-sponsored federal legislation that would ban BPA from children’s products as well as require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the health effects of BPA in children and adults.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using the product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Sun Smarties™ Children’s Board Skirts

Children’s Board Skirts Recalled By Chelsea & Scott Ltd. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Units: About 600

Manufacturer: Chelsea & Scott Ltd., of Lake Bluff, Ill.

Hazard: The paint on the grommets of the skirts contains an excess level of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

iCarly is Topping the Charts!

NEW YORK, June 19, 2008 -- iCarly - Music from and Inspired by the Hit TV Show, the album of music and dialogue from the popular live-action TEENick series starring tween TV sensation Miranda Cosgrove, has just debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Kid Audio album chart and #1 on the SoundScan Top Children's Current album sales chart.

The iCarly album has also entered the Billboard and SoundScan Top Soundtrack albums charts at #2 (second only to the "Sex & the City" soundtrack) while debuting on the Billboard 200 albums chart at #28 with a bullet designating an album with significant airplay and sales gains this week.    » read more »

June 23, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today announced his cosponsorship of the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 (S. 3140), which would allow federal employees to use four weeks of paid leave, as well as any annual or sick leave, for the birth or adoption of a child under the Family and Medical Leave Act. This bill was introduced by Senator Jim Webb.    » read more »

13 June 2008 -- "I am shocked by the announced $8.4 million dollar cut in funds for mental health services for children in the state of Georgia, particularly considering the current crisis state mental health services face.    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan has one of the best health care systems for children, according to a recent nationwide study. The Commonwealth Fund Report, titled U.S. Variations in Child Health System Performance: A State Scorecard, examines state-by-state information and evaluates how the health system is performing for children.

"It is our goal to ensure universal access to affordable health care to all of our citizens, so it is good news for Michigan families that kids are getting health care," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. "It is an honor for our state to be recognized has having one of the top health care systems for children in the nation."    » read more »

One in Four Deaths Caused by Children Playing with Matches or Lighters

May 29, 2008 -- Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Health Commissioner Thomas R. Frieden and Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today released the second annual Child Fatality Report, a review of preventable fatalities among children ages one to 12 years that found that fires are the second leading cause of child deaths from injuries in New York City after motor vehicle accidents.

An apartment fire on Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn: Photo by Michael Williams (CC)    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- CONCORD - New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today applauded the agreement reached by House and Senate conferees regarding the Online Child Safety Act.

Gov. Lynch worked with the Attorney General and law enforcement to develop the Act, which will modernize state laws to better protect children from sexual predators who use the Internet.    » read more »

Farmers in 35 counties to participate in Illinois WIC and Senior Farmers Market programs for locally grown fruits and vegetables

May 29, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that an additional nine counties will participate in the 2008 Women Infant and Children’s (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market programs.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

American Scientific Recalls 87,000 Magnets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Magnets

Units: About 87,000

Importer: American Scientific LLC, of Columbus, Ohio

Hazard: Surface paint on the magnets can contain high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

May 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Floppy Friends Horse Toys Recalled by Toy Investments Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Floppy Friends Horse Toys

Units: About 300

Importer: Toy Investments Inc., d/b/a Toysmith, of Auburn, Wash.

Hazard: Surface paint on the toy horse contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »