This article reports on the role, activities, and lessons learned of a state mental health authority--the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services--in responding to the mental health needs of families and community members following the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Following the introduction, we provide a brief…

Supporting lifelong learning in the arts is a top priority for state arts agencies. By supporting arts education in the schools, state arts agencies foster young imaginations, address core academic standards, and promote the critical thinking and creativity skills essential to a 21st century work force. State arts agencies also support…

One of a series of reports concerning state policies and practices in child care and early education, this report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions during 1998. The report is intended to serve as a supplement and companion to the more comprehensive information presented in "State Developments in Child Care and Early…

Mississippi continues to lead the nation in excessive infant deaths, as shown by the 1984 infant mortality rate of 14.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. This report offers recommendations for actions that should be taken by various entities to rectify the problem. Recommendations are made in the areas of (1) public awareness of teen pregnancy…

Issues and factors related to the continuation of state energy education programs are discussed. The turmoil over energy's changing position among public priorities, limited federal and state budgets available for meeting energy education needs, substantive changes in both federally-sponsored and state-supported programs, and concomitant changes…

This report summarizes the essential elements of state-funded prekindergarten programs across the United States. To be included in the report, a program had to be supported primarily by state funds, have early education as a goal, focus on children younger than kindergarten entry age, and provide direct service to children rather than concentrate…

The purpose of this Children's Defense Fund (CDF) briefing book for child advocates, community activists, professionals, policymakers, parents, citizens, members of the media, and political leaders is to dramatically increase public consciousness about children's needs and solutions to those needs. The book uses the election year process to build…

A description of a possible new minimum foundation program for public education in North Dakota is contained in this document. The State Foundation Program, suggested in 1967, is the financial instrument whereby the state guarantees each child an opportunity to acquire an appropriate and adequate public education. Elements of the desired new…

In recent years, the interest in how children spend their out-of-school time has resulted in program development projects at the local and state level and has influenced state and federal policymakers to propose legislation supportive of school-age child care programs. Gubernatorial and legislative efforts have succeeded in several states.…

Because of an increasingly challenging fiscal climate, state lawmakers are faced with making tough financial decisions regarding their early childhood systems. This document describes and examines various funding sources used when making decisions about possible early childhood initiatives combined with policy choices that may be considered in…

A detailed status report of education in North Dakota, with particular emphasis on an assessment of the public expenditure for elementary and secondary education, is contained in this document. This report contains facts based upon 2 years of study and careful fact finding. The statewide study is more than a quest for facts; it is a systematic and…

Discusses results of "Electronic Learning's" 1986 survey of state departments of education to determine each state's computer education commitment, financial support, budget allocations, computer course or integration requirements in elementary and secondary education, and teacher certification requirements. Statistics are provided on…

The new federalism plan and the fiscal year 1983 budget presented to Congress by the Reagan administration call for changes that would, within the next few years, eliminate all federal involvement in vocational education. The proposed plan for budget cuts, block grants, and eventual phaseout of all federal involvement in all federal government has…

This report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions on child care, early education, and school-age care issues during 2001. It is intended to serve as a supplement to "State Developments in Child Care, Early Education, and School-Age Care 2000" and various reports published on this issue between 1997 and 1999. Information…

This report provides highlights and updates regarding state actions on child care and early education issues during 2000. The information in the report was collected by means of written and telephone surveys with advocates or state child care administrators in each state. The final draft was reviewed for verification by advocates or a state child…