A Town Where a School Bus Is More Than a Bus

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/a-town-where-a-school-bus-is-more-than-a-bus

Sam Chaltain

The New York Times

27 February 2015

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There are many other adults beyond teachers who regularly interact with children — and who are often overlooked as potential contributors to the educational mission. Hartsville, South Carolina, uses school bus drivers as a resource and extra set of eyes to observe how students are doing.

Building Social Skills, Alone at a Computer

https://medium.com/bright/building-social-skills-alone-at-a-computer-2c100a502ecc

Ellen Lee

Bright Magazine

18 May 2015

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Critics in today's world often say that computers and technology are impeding the social skills of the very young. But Zoo U, a computer game for children, helps kids develop the skills they need such as empathy, impulse control, and communication.

Can School Heal Children in Pain?

https://medium.com/bright/can-school-heal-children-in-pain-d9ef3abb9176

James Redford

Bright Magazine

1 June 2015

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Adverse childhood experiences — like assault, emotional abuse, observing domestic violence — can fundamentally alter a child’s body and brain. Lincoln High School teachers are taking in a "trauma-informed care" approach to their teaching to help those vulnerable students whose brains have been altered due to violence, abuse, or assault.

Changing Course

http://ctmirror.org/2015/01/21/changing-course

Arielle Levin Becker

The Connecticut Mirror

21 January 2015

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Science suggests that having a secure relationship with a caregiver can help protect a child’s brain and body from the effects of adversity. A Connecticut program for young children who have experienced trauma or other challenges has gotten results by focusing on that relationship – and the things that can interfere, including depression, family violence, and a parent’s own history of trauma.

Child Care and the Overwhelmed Parent

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/24/child-care-and-the-overwhelmed-parent

Courtney E. Martin

The New York Times

24 July 2014

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The problem and importance of finding reliable childcare for poor, working parents is increasingly prevalent. Lawmakers and non-profits alike are creating new solutions to help make childcare affordable.

Criminal courts tailored to veterans multiply as wars wind down

http://news.yahoo.com/a-separate-justice-system-emerges-for-veterans-174400942.html

Liz Goodwin

Yahoo! News

30 June 2014

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U.S. courts are offering war veterans who face jail time the choice of rehabilitation. This helps them adjust to civilian life and reduces repeat offences.

Crisis Text Line has counseled teens through nearly 2 million problems. Here's how this idea got its start.

http://blog.ted.com/crisis-text-line-nears-2-million-messages-answered

Kate Torgovnick May

TED Blog

6 May 2014

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Crisis Text Line provides counseling services via text, a medium with which teens are sometimes more comfortable. The approach complements the work of counselors and collects data for research purposes.

Depressed? Try Therapy Without the Therapist

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/depressed-try-therapy-without-the-therapist

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

19 June 2015

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MoodGYM is an online program targeted to help those suffering from depression for whom it is a challenge to access therapy because of location or the stigma it carries. Essentially a therapy session in your pocket, the program allows users to access help at little to no cost, regardless of where they are or what time of day it is.

Detroit Team Shrinks Breastfeeding Disparities

http://womensenews.org/story/health/150620/detroit-team-shrinks-breastfeeding-disparities

Molly Ginty

Women's eNews

22 June 2015

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At St. John Hospital in Detroit, the principles of cultural sensitivity and collaboration—as well as lots of fundraising—have boosted previously low breastfeeding rates by black mothers.

Battling America's other PTSD crisis

http://news.yahoo.com/battling-america-s-other-ptsd-crisis-194336514.html?soc_src=mail&soc_trk=ma

Tina Rosenberg

Yahoo! News

6 March 2015

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A program in Philadelphia is pioneering new ways to treat the urban wounded. By seeing it as PTSD, and not pointing fingers, the city is using mental health tools to decrease violence and heal communities.