Voices from the Capitol

  When Efrem Fesaha first heard about baby bonds this spring, it made him think back to when he was 17 and a senior at Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle. He was the fourth of six children, his father had just died, and he wondered, “How am I going to fund my college?” He had to think...

Click HERE to listen to the story. Connecticut Public Radio | By John Henry Smith Published August 18, 2022 at 6:06 PM EDT Every year, NPR underwriter The Annie E. Casey Foundation produces the Kids Count report. The report ranks states according to the level of well-being enjoyed by their children....

by Ginny Monk Connecticut improved its national ranking in childhood well-being but still has progress to make, particularly in housing and issues related to economic security, according to an annual report released today. Connecticut was ranked 7th in the nation in this year’s Annie E. Casey Fou...

BRIDGEPORT — The police lieutenant who oversees the handful of officers assigned the city’s public schools this week called for that program to get a boost in manpower. “At the end of the day I think we do need more SROs (school resource officers) in Bridgeport,” Lt. Paul Grech told members ...

The executive director of the Connecticut Justice Alliance said she was disappointed with recently-passed legislation that changes the way the state’s criminal justice system handles young offenders, as she said it doesn’t address root causes such as housing and economic insecurity and trauma. H...

BRIDGEPORT — A call by the superintendent to boost the district’s number of school resource officers to better protect students and faculty is being met with mixed reaction by the elected officials who would need to fund the positions. On Thursday Superintendent Michael Testani in an email to Ci...

LGBTQ community members and activists commended Hartford Public Schools officials during Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting for the district’s handling of a personnel matter involving a school nurse placed on administrative leave for online comments about LGBTQ students. “I’m here ...

Nationally more than 70% of youth in foster care would like to get a college education, according to Connecticut Voices for Children. But 20% of foster youth go to college and only 5% graduate, the organization said. The advocacy group testified Tuesday before the Higher Education and Employment Adv...

Connecticut Senate Republicans have released a draft bill aiming to provide more work opportunities while also addressing a rise in crime among young people. Advocates say reforms should not be reversed, and strategies addressing crime should support community needs. Car thefts in the state increa...

Connecticut Voicers For Children A Zoom screenshot from the panel of young adults who are experiencing or transitioned out of Connecticut’s foster system. More current and former children in Connecticut’s foster system should be hired to work in departments relevant to young adult stability, hea...