To limit reliance on ultra-processed foods in school meals, a majority of school nutrition directors report needing additional resources that include funding, menu development, culinary training, staffing, and equipment and infrastructure, according to survey data released on January 6, 2026 by the School Nutrition Association (SNA). The survey was conducted…
On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) announced that Iowa became the first state approved for a waiver for certain federal education regulations that will allow the state to have greater decision-making in academic programming and fiscal management. The waiver allows the Iowa Department of Education to…
On January 6, 2026, a federal judge ordered the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to halt anti-DEI requirements and layoffs nationwide, citing an ‘impossible situation’ for providers. The federal judge in Washington state temporarily blocked actions taken by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last…
In a drastic and unprecedented decision that was made in response to a directive from President Donald Trump, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will now universally recommend 11 vaccines instead of the previous 17, a move that the Department for Health and Human Services said would better…
Food insecurity among households with children slightly rose between 2023 and 2024, according to recently released data from an annual report on household food security released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to the report, in 2024 14.1 million children lived in households experiencing food insecurity. That is…
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has terminated several multimillion-dollar grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) following the association’s criticisms of the policies of the health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr. The funding cuts, which affect projects focused on issues including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders…
A December 19, 2025 federal judge ruling ordered the permanent reinstatement of U.S. Department of Education (USDE) mental health grants in 16 states. According to the ruling in State of Washington v. U.S. Department of Education, the April 2025 cancellation of the school-based and professional development funding was unlawful. At…
On December 15, 2025, the U.S. House passed a bipartisan bill allowing schools to offer students whole milk and nondairy beverage options in school meal programs. The Senate passed the bill in November. Currently, school districts are currently permitted to only serve fat-free and low-fat milks in school meals due…
On December 12, 2025, bicameral and bipartisan legislation was filed in the House and Senate prohibiting the seclusion of students in schools and certain restraint practices would be banned. The Keeping All Students Safe Act bill would also provide grants to states to train school personnel to on how to…
On December 9, 2025 the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools for its teacher union agreement, which the USDE alleges racially discriminates because of its diversity efforts, including those aimed at recruiting and retaining Black men. In its lawsuit, the DOJ says the school…
