Latest news with #BrightFutures
Edinburgh Reporter
5 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
End of the two child cap coming next year in Scotland
During a visit to a mother and toddler group in Portobello, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has confirmed that The Scottish Government will 'effectively' scrap the impact of the two-child limit from 2 March 2026. When she visited Busy Bees Bellfield parent and toddler group Ms Somerville said the introduction of the Two Child Limit Payment will mean 20,000 fewer children will be living in relative poverty in 2026-27, according to modelling carried out by the Scottish Government. Ahead of a statement to parliament on the publication of the annual report on Best Start, Bright Futures, which is the Scottish Government's child poverty strategy, Ms Somerville said:'The Scottish Government has consistently called on the UK Government to end the two-child cap. Reports suggest that they are looking at the impact it is having. But the evidence is clear and families and Scotland can't wait any longer for the UK Government to make up its mind to do the right thing and scrap the cap once and for all. 'The Two Child Limit Payment will begin accepting applications in March next year. At less than 15 months from when we announced this in the Scottish budget, this will be the fastest that a Scottish social security benefit has been delivered. 'This builds upon the considerable action we have taken in Scotland, including delivering unparalleled financial support through our Scottish Child Payment, investing to clear school meal debts, and continuing to support almost 10,000 children by mitigating the UK Government's Benefit Cap as fully as possible. 'However, austerity decisions taken by the UK Government are holding back Scotland's progress. Modelling published in March makes clear that if the UK Government act decisively on child poverty, they could help to take an estimated 100,000 children out of poverty this year.' The UK Government's two child cap is a policy in place since 2017 which restricts any universal credit payment to just two children in one family. This means that families with three and more children cannot have any means-tested support for them. (There are limited exceptions.) The Child Poverty Action Group said that this tax on siblings is 'the biggest driver of rising child poverty in the UK today. It breaks the link between what children need and the support they receive.' Government figures show that one in 9 children are affected by this cap on benefits, and almost 60% of those who are affected by the policy have at least one parent who works. If it is lifted then Treasury Minister, Torsten Bell, said he believes this measure alone could lift 470,000 children in the UK out of poverty. The UK Government is reportedly considering getting rid of the measure which was introduced by the Conservatives, having said they would remove the measure 'when fiscal conditions allow', and the scrapping of this would cost around £3.5 billion a year. The government is due to announce its child poverty strategy in the autumn of this year. Photo courtesy of The Scottish Government Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Colgate Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend
NEW YORK, June 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Board of Directors of Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:CL) today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.52 per common share, payable on August 15, 2025, to shareholders of record on July 18, 2025. The Company has paid uninterrupted dividends on its common stock since 1895. * * * Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom's of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, Lady Speed Stick, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Murphy, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet. We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children's oral health through the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached approximately 1.8 billion children and their families since 1991. For more information about Colgate's global business and how we are building a future to smile about, visit CL-D View source version on Contacts Investor Relations: investor_relations@ Communications: colgate_palmolive_media_inquiry@
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bright Futures Joplin moves from snack packs to mini pantries
JOPLIN, Mo. — Summer is just getting started, but an area organization is already starting to think about school getting back in session. Bright Futures Joplin is turning its attention to how to keep kids fed when school starts back up. For several years, the agency has offered the Snack Pack Program to the tune of more than $20,000 a year. Those have been offered to early childhood, elementary, and middle school students. Last year, Bright Futures changed that for middle school students, shifting from snack packs to a mini pantry at each middle school. Now, they need help keeping the community keeping those stocked. Bright Futures Joplin Executive Director Amanda Stone says while single serving snack packs are great for younger students, older kids need something different. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
$1 billion in school mental health grants won't be renewed; PA organizations are worried
(WHTM) – The Strong Minds, Bright Futures is a statewide partnership of over 60 organizations dedicated to improving youth mental health across Pennsylvania. They are strongly urging the Department of Education to reconsider the decision to cut $1 billion in federal grants supporting school-based mental health services. 'I think many of our kids, our families and even our teachers and principals don't yet understand the negative impact that this is going to have,' said CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Marcus Allen. Advocates say if this decision is not reversed, it will leave more than 250,000 students across the Commonwealth without mental health support. Families will lose access to school counselors, social workers, and programs designed to support students' well-being and prevent youth suicide. 'The Trump administration taking a wrecking ball to this funding that provides these critical services for students who are experiencing behave, role and emotional challenges. It's incredibly shortsighted,' said Chris Lilienthal with the Pennsylvania State Education Association. This funding stems from a law passed in 2022 following the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The law is called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. 'It was designed to help schools hire mental health professionals including counselors and social workers,' said Allen. 36 schools across Pennsylvania received funding, including four in the Midstate. Senator John Fetterman shared a statement with abc27: 'We're facing a mental health crisis in this country, and I don't know any Pennsylvanian who thinks our kids have the mental health support system they need in our classrooms. As a senator, but more importantly, as a parent, I'm working to improve access and increase the number of counselors in our schools. Instead, the Trump administration is gutting the very program that would make these improvements possible. It's a cruel move that will only hurt our kids. I'm calling on the administration to immediately reverse course.' Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary, Madi Biedermann said in a statement: 'The Department decided not to continue funding these grants beyond the initial award terms. These grants are intended to improve American students' mental health by funding additional mental health professionals in schools and on campuses. Instead, under the deeply flawed priorities of the Biden Administration, grant recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help. We owe it to American families to ensure that tax-payer dollars are supporting evidence-based practices that are truly focused on improving students' mental health.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
US rice found to have high levels of arsenic, cadmium
[Source] New testing reveals that virtually all rice sold in the U.S. contains arsenic and cadmium, with one-fourth of samples exceeding federal safety limits established for infant rice cereal. Key findings: Tests of 145 rice samples from retailers nationwide detected arsenic — a highly toxic metalloid — in 100% of samples, with more than one in four exceeding the FDA's 100 parts-per-billion limit set for infant rice cereal in 2021. California-grown rice had the lowest overall heavy metal content at 65 parts per billion, while U.S.-grown brown rice contained the highest at 151 parts per billion. Cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal, was also found in all but one sample, with higher concentrations in Indian basmati and Italian Arborio varieties. Tests of 66 samples of alternative grains like barley, couscous, farro and quinoa showed significantly lower levels of these toxic metals, with overall levels three times lower than rice. Dangers: Jane Houlihan, the national director of science and health at Healthy Babies, Bright Futures — which produced the report — said parents should not have to worry that a common first food such as rice could pose hidden risks. 'Even at low levels, both arsenic and cadmium have been linked to serious health harms, including diabetes, developmental delays, reproductive toxicity and heart disease,' she told CNN. Trending on NextShark: What you can do: Rice accounts for 54.5% of arsenic exposure in diets of Asian children between 18 and 24 months, the tests found. To reduce exposure by up to 60%, families are encouraged to cook rice like pasta, using six to 10 cups of water per cup of rice and draining the excess before eating. Simply rinsing rice before cooking does not work, but soaking rice for a half hour or overnight before cooking further reduces contamination levels. ' Parents can also choose lower-risk varieties like California-grown, Thai jasmine or Indian basmati rice and incorporate alternative grains with lower metal content. Additionally, consuming foods rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron and zinc can help reduce the body's absorption of contaminants or speed up their excretion. The findings come as research shows climate change could worsen the problem, with a Columbia University-led study finding that projected 2050 temperature and CO₂ levels could significantly increase inorganic arsenic in rice. Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
