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School-based health centers ‘a win’ for Ohio students, families and communities

Columns

Throughout Ohio, children are heading back to school for a new academic year. Students are excited to be with their classmates and teachers to learn and grow. But for kids to really excel, they need to feel their best to be able to learn at their best. That’s why school-based health centers are so important. School-based health centers provide an opportunity for children to receive healthcare right in their school building. By having health services available on school grounds, students can schedule appointments with healthcare professionals or walk right in if they are ...

Recreational pot profit growth takes off in Ohio

Editorials

Companies that have put down roots in Ohio to take advantage of the legalization of adult-use recreational marijuana are thrilled with the results. According to a report by The Canton Repository, in just the first four days, sales reached more than $11.5 million. That kind of demand also meant prices rose quickly. “Ohioans were clearly ready and excited for the historic end of cannabis prohibition in the Buckeye State: since the start of adult-use sales, foot traffic and transactions have already increased two to three times across all five Zen Leaf dispensaries statewide in ...

Parents: Don’t get caught up in ‘vaccine hesitancy’

Editorials

It’s the start of a new school year, let the spreading of germs begin! If you are a parent or guardian who is not exactly enthusiastic about that prospect, it’s important to make sure your child is up-to-date on routine vaccines — and to consider a few others. According to a report by USA Today, children across the country are still getting caught up after a gap in wellness visits to pediatricians during the COVID-19 pandemic. That can mean a gap in protection against hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenza type b, pneumococcal disease, ...

Vulnerable children needing foster care

Editorials

Ohio’s most vulnerable children are in need of a larger support network, as the number of families willing to be part of the foster care program is shrinking. Further, the number of families who have training in dealing with children with behavioral challenges is even smaller. This despite approximately one-quarter of children having come into children’s services custody not because of abuse or neglect, but because of behavioral health, intellectual disabilities or juvenile justice involvement. “That surprises a lot of people,” Scott Britton, assistant director of the Public ...

Good luck to all fall sports participants

Editorials

Ready or not, here it comes. Another school year has arrived. Yes, already! Classrooms are open or are poised to open soon. Fall sports have already begun. Doesn't it seem many of the non-football fall sports begin earlier and earlier each year? Our area teams kick the 2024 season off this week. Remember when all schools did not start activities until after Labor Day? All sports are special — especially for the student-athletes involved — but it seems fall sports come with so much anticipation and eagerness. It is all part and parcel with a new school year and all the excitement ...

Schools offering more behavioral health care

Editorials

While not every student looks forward to the start of another academic year, for some students the return to school means a return to better access to everything from food to behavioral health care. Regarding the latter, Ohio public schools are improving, as a report by the Statehouse News Bureau’s Ohio Newsroom says there has been a 20% increase in the number of schools offering behavioral health services over the past year. That is good news, as a 2022 survey showed approximately one-third of students say they have challenges with anxiety, and more than 100,000 high school-aged ...