It’s hard to practice “social distancing” with dozens of people in one room. How homeless shelters are trying to protect residents who are already among the most vulnerable to serious illness.
Children & Families
About 1 in 5 children in Michigan live in poverty. Bridge will explore the reasons behind this disturbing result and the ideas to address it.
Posted inChildren & Families
Rural children more than twice as likely to be homeless in Michigan
There aren’t enough early childhood education programs in the state to deal with the troubling rate of childhood homelessness, according to a new study. That could have lifelong ramifications.
Posted inChildren & Families
Gov. Whitmer to Benton Harbor High: Raise scores, balance books or close
The state of Michigan released details of its one-year extension to the impoverished West Michigan school district. Improve performance of its high school or it will be closed next year and students sent to neighboring districts.
Posted inChildren & Families
Teens raped in Michigan prisons can get day in court, Supreme Court says
The Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal made by the state in a lawsuit filed by former teen inmates alleging the Department of Corrections didn’t do enough to prevent them from being raped.
Posted inChildren & Families
Where have all the babies gone? Michigan births lowest since 1944
In some counties, there are three funerals for every birth. That’s not a trend that bodes well for the state.
Posted inChildren & Families
Suicides, often linked to opioids, spike in rural Michigan and among young
A new study finds links between two grim causes of death, but also poses some proven ways to reduce rates
Posted inChildren & Families
In opioid war, studies urge medication. Michigan clinics push abstinence.
Slowly, addiction treatment centers in the state are shifting away from old-school abstinence to combining counseling with medication. But experts warn Michigan isn’t moving quickly enough
Posted inChildren & Families
From opioid-fueled thief to grateful counselor to peers in Michigan
Kyle Hanshaw lied, stole and tricked doctors to get painkillers. Then he found a Bay City medication treatment program that worked.
Posted inChildren & Families
Pregnant in rural Michigan? Fill up your gas tank for delivery day.
As rural hospitals close their obstetrics units, many mothers and their babies will pay a price in far longer journeys for hospital care
Posted inChildren & Families
For some rural mothers, there’s no place like home (births)
Michigan midwives deliver hundreds of babies a year at home, an option that may be more attractive to rural expectant mothers with no hospitals nearby