September News Roundup
September 24, 2026 – From the recent teen thrifting trend to Meta’s child safety trial settlement, your September News Roundup is here.
Featured Articles
Meta, states agree to $17 billion settlement in child safety trial
- Children and teens will have more social media safeguards in place, thanks to a landmark federal child safety lawsuit settlement between Meta, California and several other states.
- Meta will pay up to $17 billion in penalties to the states over 10 years. A portion of the funds will be allocated to youth mental health programs, after-school programs and crisis intervention services.
- Meta agreed to make significant changes to its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. These include a default time limit of two hours for users under 18; a ban on displaying the number of “likes” or reactions to posts made by minors; a ban on cosmetic surgery image filters for minors and other changes to protect children and youth.
Nearly 300K California students are homeless, enough to fill 5 Dodger Stadiums: UCLA
- The number of students experiencing homelessness in California has reached a new high of 298,254 during the 2024-25 school year, enough to fill 5 Dodger Stadiums, according to a report published by the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools.
- Black and American Indian/Alaska Native students consistently experience the highest rates of homelessness.
- Southern California has the largest number of students experiencing homelessness, while communities along the Central Coast and in Northern California often have the highest rates.
- Chronic absenteeism remains substantially higher among students experiencing homelessness, even as rates have improved from post-pandemic highs.
Thrifting, the new fashion and financial trend for teen
- A new trend has emerged among today’s youth: thrifting.
- Thrifting isn’t strictly about bargains; it’s also social. Many teens are characterized as “screenagers” – always staring into their smartphones. Teens like to thrift in groups.
- Some teens also like how buying upcycled discarded apparel and accessories lowers carbon footprints.
- Teens also become more confident when they show off their new discoveries on social media.
Teen Suicidal Ideation Rates Drop
September 22, 2026 – Trigger Warning.
In the 2022 California Healthy Kids Survey, 17% of high school teens had thought about taking their own life. In 2025, the percentage dropped to 9%.
From 17% to 9% in just 3 years.
That’s the percentage of California high school teens reporting thoughts of taking their own lives dropping to the lowest number in the history of the California Healthy Kids Survey.
The difference?
According to CYBHI Director Dr. Sohil Sud, Certified Wellness Coaches are a big factor.
Sometimes, having the supportive conversations can make the biggest impact.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988. You can also chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
#CWC #SuicidePreventionMonth #MentalHealth
5 Back to School Tips to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
September 18, 2026 – Back-to-school season can be overwhelming—for students, parents, and teachers alike.
That’s why Certified Wellness Coaches are stepping up with tools and strategies to help youth stay balanced and resilient.
Watch the full video for 5 tips for a healthy school year.
Click here to learn more about the latest HCAI-Designated Education programs for aspiring Certified Wellness Coaches.
Certified Wellness Coach Shares Her Experience Supporting Students
September 16, 2026 – Certified Wellness Coaches work with children and youth in schools and communities. Robin Pence from Novato, California, shares her experience as a Wellness Coach.
“The nice thing about being a Wellness Coach is that I can kind of fill in the gaps where there’s the teacher and the staff member, and then the counselor… that space between. When I work with students, I teach them strategies for how to regulate themselves.”
Watch the video to hear how Robin works with students day to day, and why she understands their struggles.
Looking for a career where you can help kids learn how to cope? Learn more about becoming a Certified Wellness Coach by clicking this link.
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HCAI partners with California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and private nonprofit universities whose curricula meet all the requirements for a student to apply for a Wellness Coach certification upon graduation.
Stay up to date with the latest details about the program, timelines, and grant opportunities.
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Stay up to date with the latest details about the program, timelines, and grant opportunities.
