Ed Mahon reported this story while participating in the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2024 Data Fellowship and received engagement mentoring and funding. Spotlight PA is an independent, ...

Orlando, Fla.—The impacts of the ongoing opioid crisis are trickling down to young children, according to research presented during the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & ...

While the number of children in foster care saw years of decline, the opioid epidemic has resulted in a recent increase of kids in foster care, placing a particular burden on the relatives of parents ...

Court Appointed Special Advocates, also known as CASA, supports and trains volunteers to represent the best interests of ...

According to data from the State Attorney General’s Office, nearly half of Washington’s child-dependency cases involve opioid abuse. Another 39.9 percent of parental rights cases involve opioids, too.

Lawmakers in Washington are divided on whether to dial back a state law critics blame for a sudden spike in deaths and serious injuries among children enmeshed in the state’s child welfare system.

DCYF reported 27 critical incidents in Q1 2025, tripling last year's Q1 total of nine. Opioid exposure caused 87% of critical cases among children ages zero to three. State budget cuts led to loss of ...

While death rates among children have declined largely due to improvements in infant survival, deaths among older children from suicide and accidental poisonings have increased, according to a study ...

Pennsylvania counties are tapping into opioid settlement money to support child welfare programs as they face staff shortages, increased risks for children, and other challenges. Most of these ...