Children

Jun 21 2011

Insufficient funding

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—One of the oldest and largest homeless shelters on Los Angeles’ Skid Row is scaling back its efforts, because of insufficient and delayed government funding, even as it sees a greater need, its chief executive announced today.

Jun 14 2011

Homeless veterans account for 18 percent

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—More than 51,000 people are homeless in Los Angeles County, a 3 percent drop from 2009, according to a report released today.

The report, by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which counts the homeless once every two years, found that social service agencies and homeless prevention programs have helped keep the numbers level despite the economic downturn.

May 24 2011

Riverside County sees increase

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The number of children aged 5 to 9 dropped by 21 percent in Los Angeles County over the past decade, making the county a major contributor to a statewide decline in the population of young children, according to a USC analysis of census data released today.

"We are ground zero of the 'missing children' of California,'' according to study co-author Dowell Myers, a USC professor of urban planning and demography.

May 23 2011

Child with no seatbelt: $445

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Between today and June 5, if you don't "click it,'' you stand a good chance of getting a $142 ticket.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department warned that it and other departments throughout the state will look for drivers and passengers without seatbelts for the next two weeks as part of the 2011 Click It or Ticket campaign.

The fines and fees for a first-time adult seatbelt violation is a minimum $142. The minimum is $445 for children under 16 the first time.

May 20 2011

National call for increased focus on impact of trauma on children and youth

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Councilman Bernard Parks led the City Council today in declaring May 20th "Children's Mental Health Awareness Day in the City of Los Angeles," with a focus on building resilience in children dealing with trauma.
 

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.

California
San Diego college students and volunteers will carry out their sixth home restoration project on Wednesday, July 10 through Sunday, July 14. as part of the “Healing our Heroes’ Homes” (H3) program created by the nonprofit Embrace. The five-day effort will take place at the home of medically retired Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt. Bettencourt served with many different units across the country during the Global War on Terrorism and developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. With a focus to restore the homes of disabled veteran homeowners, H3 falls in line with Embrace’s mission to mobilize college-student volunteers and community members to serve less fortunate members of civilian and veteran communities. The project for the Bettencourts’ home includes kitchen and bathroom remodeling, building ADA-compliant disability ramps, widening their driveway to ADA standards, widening doorways and landscaping.
 
District of Columbia
The 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will showcase its five-year community research project on African American identity with the program “The Will to Adorn: African American Diversity, Style, and Identity.” This multicity collaboration examines the history and culture of the aesthetics of African Americans. The festival will be held June 26-30 and July 3-7, outdoors on the National Mall between Seventh and 14th streets. “Whether we realize it or not, we are all dress artists. The way we compose our look is a creative expression of our ideas about who we are and who we aspire to be,” said Diana N’Diaye, program curator. “This program explores the diversity of African American traditions of style, but also teaches young people the importance of documenting their own culture and saving that information for themselves and future generations.”