Salem-News.com Youth articles Page 37

Christina Aguilera Lends Powerful Voice in Fight to End Hunger

She becomes the Global Spokesperson for World Hunger Relief Effort this Fall; she'll Raise Awareness of Hunger Issue by Appearing in PSA, Advertising, Posters and Online Campaign, FromHungerToHope.com.

(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) - Five-time Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera is giving hunger a powerful voice by becoming the global spokesperson for World Hunger Relief.

Aguilera will help raise awareness of the hunger issue this fall by appearing in a new public service announcement, advertising and posters.

Five Tax Facts About Summertime Child Care Expenses

Many parents who work or are looking for work must arrange for care of their children under 13 years of age during the school vacation.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Here are five facts the IRS wants you to know about a tax credit available for child care expenses.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit is available for expenses incurred during the lazy hazy days of summer and throughout the rest of the year.

The Future of Education is Online

Who Says? Author Lisa Gillis - and the 1 Million U.S. Students Attending Virtual Schools Gillis Available to Media for Insights and Advice on Today's Hottest Education Trend

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Every parent wants the best education for their child. And for today's plugged-in students, the best education may be online. Author Lisa Gillis provides insights and practical advice for parents in a new book, "Virtual Schooling: A Guide to Optimizing Your Child's Education," (Palgrave Macmillan, $15.95).

More than 1 million U.S. elementary and secondary students now take all or part of their class load online, according to The Sloan Consortium.

New Room at Providence Center Provides Sensory Stimulation for Medically Fragile Children‏

Snoezelen rooms are used widely in education and care settings for children with disabilities and autism spectrum disorders.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Bubble tubes, fiber optic strands, flashing colors, mirrors, sound, lights and vibration – put it all together and what do you have? A Snoezelen room! This multi-sensory environment was built specifically for the residents at Providence Center for Medically Fragile Children.

A combination of lighting effects, shapes, textures, music and colors are strategically placed in the room to stimulate the senses for people with severe sensory impairment or neurological challenges.

Wandering Toddler Leads to Neglect & Endangering Charges‏

Police believe the uncle and granddad were smoking marijuana as the child slipped away unnoticed.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police say a two-year old child that was found wandering in a southeast Salem neighborhood led to the citing of the uncle and the grandfather of the child on neglect and endangering charges.

Lt. Dave Okada with Salem Police says a citizen located the female child at about 9:00 p.m. on July 1st barefooted and wandering on 24rd St SE near Adams Street SE.

11-Year Old Boy Arrested for Arson in Keizer

Police believe an 11-year old boy is responsible for starting a series of fires in Keizer.

(KEIZER, Ore.) - Keizer Police and the Keizer Fire District responded to 5130 7th Avenue Northeast last night over a string of fires at the residence within a period of a month.

Legislation Would Help Protect Oregon’s Most Vulnerable in Foster Care

Two bills address standards of care in foster home or residential facilities.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Two bills that address foster care for Oregon children and vulnerable adults passed in the Senate this afternoon. House Bill 3114 addresses issues of overmedication of kids in the foster care system. House Bill 2442 standardizes investigations of misconduct and abuse and increase penalties for long-term care facilities where abuse occurs.

“All session long we’ve been dedicated to looking out for the most vulnerable Oregonians in our state,” said Deputy Senate Majority Leader Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham).

Oregon House Approves K-12 Education Budget

Budget Plan Calls for $500 Million Ending Fund Balance.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon House today approved a K-12 budget of $6 billion for the next two years, setting aside $200 million of those funds into a special purpose account to help save funds if the economy continues to decline. The House approved the bill 42-17.

Ways and Means Co-Chair Peter Buckley said putting aside $200 million of the $6 billion gives schools confidence to budget at a higher level for the coming school year, while not asking K-12 to take the bulk of the cuts should the reserve funds be needed elsewhere later in the biennium.

Number of Homeless People Rises Throughout State

Homeless numbers rose from 3,294 on the street in 2008 to 8,561 in 2009. Many are American veterans.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Spiraling unemployment and inability to pay rent are behind a dramatic jump in homelessness throughout the state, according to data released this week by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS).

“The numbers confirm what we already knew, families and individuals can’t afford to pay for one of their most basic needs – a place to live,” said Rick Crager, OHCS deputy director.
The number of people in Oregon identified as homeless increased 37 percent from the same time last year, according to the statewide One-Night Homeless Count.

Do Men Have Strong Emotional Support in Their Lives?

If you men don’t have men friends that you can really talk to about your life, then get out there and find them. Start your own group at a local coffee house, away from the women, or through your church or synagogue.

(AGOURA, Calif.) - Do men really have good support for emotional issues, on a regular basis? When a man reaches a certain age and he’s depressed, he’s struggling with his place in the world, he’s going through family problems or a divorce, or financial and job worries, etc., where can he turn?

Add into the mix that he’s a single dad and has no immediate family around and you have my situation, a few years ago.