Whole milk is back in school cafeterias, and it's the law. Here's what the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act means for your child.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 does
- Which milk varieties are now allowed in school lunches
- Why the saturated fat exemption is a legal game-changer
- How this law affects school nutrition directors and staff
- What it means for children's health and milk consumption
- Where the law falls short and what advocates are watching next

Signed into law on January 14, 2026, Public Law 119-69 restores whole milk and two-percent reduced-fat milk to the National School Lunch Program, options banned for over fifteen years. Schools may now serve the full range of fluid milk, flavored or unflavored, including lactose-free and organic varieties. 

A key provision exempts fluid milk from weekly saturated fat limits, removing a compliance barrier that previously put federal reimbursements at risk. Nondairy alternatives are also expanded. The law took effect immediately, no phase-in required. It applies only to the NSLP; the School Breakfast Program and CACFP remain unchanged, leaving clear targets for future legislation.

Learn more about WMHKA Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 by visiting
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/09/wmhka-whole-milk-for-healthy-kids-act-of-2025/

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Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

Is your "real" family whoever you choose? The law is finally catching up, here's what's changing and what comes next.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What advocacy groups are doing to expand legal family definitions
- How paid family leave laws now cover chosen family members
- Which states lead the way: NJ, CA, CT, OR, and CO
- Why medical decisions and visitation still require planning
- How housing and zoning laws are shifting for functional families
- What the future holds: multi-parent and universal kinship laws

American family law is evolving fast. This final installment of KidLaw's four-part series on Found Family and Chosen Family covers the legal landscape reshaping how the U.S. defines kinship. 

From state-level paid leave breakthroughs to federal efforts like the Caring for All Families Act, advocates are pushing to replace biology-and-marriage-only standards with care-based definitions. 

Key developments include California's AB 1041, New Jersey's 2019 milestone, and New York City's 2025 trans protections. 

The "upstream" policy approach, building legal support before a crisis hits, is gaining ground as the future of inclusive family law.

Learn more about Found Family & Chosen Family Concept Legal Evolution by visiting

https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/30/found-family-chosen-family-concept-legal-evolution/

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

How is the law redefining family? Courts, schools & paid leave are all shifting fast. 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS PODCAST

- How courts are moving from biology to function in family law
- Why judicial discretion is surging in chosen family cases
- Which states allow paid leave for chosen family members
- How schools must adapt to non-traditional guardianship
- What legal protections chosen families offer children
- Where federal and probate law reform is headed next

The legal landscape around found and chosen families is changing faster than most people realize. 

Courts are increasingly recognizing psychological parents, municipalities are allowing multi-partner domestic registration, and states like New Jersey, Oregon, and Colorado now extend paid family leave to chosen kin. Children in these families gain access to healthcare, inheritance rights, and legal stability. 

Schools face new pressures around disclosure, custody authority, and federal funding compliance. 

This is Part 3 of KidLaw's four-part series, be sure to catch Part 4 for what comes next.

Learn more about Found Family & Chosen Family Concept Legal Evolution by visiting
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/30/found-family-chosen-family-concept-legal-evolution/

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

Is your family "chosen"? Discover how poly partnerships, polyamory & Islamic polygyny are reshaping family law.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What poly civil partnerships are and their legal limits
- How polyamorous family units function and are structured
- Why 5%+ of Americans practice consensual non-monogamy
- How polyamorous families navigate stigma and disclosure
- The legal framework of polygyny under Islamic law
- Federal proposals to legally recognize chosen families

Part 2 of KidLaw's four-part series explores the legal landscape of non-traditional family structures. From poly civil partnerships, which lack automatic property and inheritance rights, to polyamorous family units involving shared households and co-parenting, these structures are gaining visibility despite limited legal recognition. 

Over 5% of Americans practice consensual non-monogamy, yet many remain hidden due to discrimination fears. Islamic polygyny, permitted under strict conditions of equality, operates within its own legal and religious framework. 

Federal proposals like the Caring for All Families Act aim to formally recognize chosen family in areas like FMLA, hospital visitation, inheritance, and parental rights.

Learn more about Found Family & Chosen Family Concept Legal Evolution by visiting
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/30/found-family-chosen-family-concept-legal-evolution/

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

What is a Found Family, and why is the law finally catching up? Discover the legal evolution of chosen kinship.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What "Found Family" and "Chosen Family" mean legally
- The 6 key characteristics of chosen family structures
- How fictive kin are recognized in child welfare law
- State-level paid leave laws covering chosen family
- How courts define "functional family" in housing cases
- What civil partnerships offer vs. traditional marriage

Found and chosen families, non-biological networks of kin, friends, and community members offering emotional, financial, and functional support, are reshaping how law defines kinship. 

This Part 1 of 4 from Kidlaw traces the legal evolution from rigid biological and marital definitions toward functional recognition across housing, paid leave, healthcare, and child welfare. States like New Jersey, California, Oregon, and Connecticut now extend family leave to chosen members. 

Courts increasingly apply functional family tests. Fictive kin may now qualify for foster placement in many states. 

Civil partnerships round out the picture with near-equal legal rights.

Learn more about Found Family & Chosen Family Concept Legal Evolution by visiting
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/30/found-family-chosen-family-concept-legal-evolution/

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

Can the state force you to prove your child is educated? NJ's landmark 1965 ruling changed everything.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What the NJ Supreme Court decided in State v. Vaughn (1965)
- How burden of proof works in compulsory education cases
- Why the state only needs to prove non-attendance at public school
- What parents must show to claim a homeschool exemption
- How "equivalent instruction" is legally defined and enforced
- Why segregation claims cannot be raised as a truancy defense

State v. Vaughn, 44 N.J. 142 (1965), remains a cornerstone of New Jersey compulsory education law. The Supreme Court ruled that the state need only prove a child did not attend public school, not that no alternative education existed. 

Once a parent introduces evidence of equivalent instruction, the burden shifts back to the state to disprove it. The decision streamlined truancy prosecutions, protected children from educational neglect, and confirmed that parents may satisfy the law through homeschooling or private school, provided genuine academic equivalence is demonstrated. 

Segregation disputes must be addressed through administrative channels, not truancy proceedings.

Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

The law that opened college to millions, how the Higher Education Act of 1965 still shapes your future today.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What the Higher Education Act of 1965 actually does
- How Title IV funds loans, work-study, and Pell Grants
- Why the HEA matters for justice and consumer rights
- How the HEA benefits children and low-income families
- What school administrators must do to stay compliant
- How the "One Big Beautiful Bill" is reshaping student aid

Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on November 8, 1965, the Higher Education Act transformed who could access college in America. Its Title IV framework funds Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study programs for millions of students annually. TRIO programs support disadvantaged youth, while the National Teacher Corp’s improved schools long before students reach college age. 

For administrators, HEA compliance is demanding, institutions risk losing federal funding for violations. Advocacy groups push for affordability, equity, and accountability. 

The landscape is shifting fast: the 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" eliminates Grad PLUS loans, caps borrowing, phases out income-driven repayment plans, and delays Borrower Defense rules until 2035.

Learn more about HEA Higher Education Act of 1965 by visiting https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/23/hea-higher-education-act-of-1965/

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

Can schools replace punishment with prevention—and actually reduce crime? PBIS is transforming school discipline nationwide. Part 2 of 2 PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS PODCAST

- What PBIS is and how its three-tiered framework works
- How PBIS reduces suspensions, expulsions, and office referrals
- Why PBIS helps dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline
- How children benefit academically and social-emotionally
- What PBIS means for school administrators and equity
- How federal law (IDEA, ESSA) mandates and shapes PBIS

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, federally recognized framework reshaping how schools handle discipline. Instead of punishing unwanted behavior, PBIS teaches and reinforces positive behavioral expectations across three tiers—universal, targeted, and intensive—creating safer, more equitable learning environments. 

Schools using PBIS report up to 50% fewer disciplinary referrals, reduced bullying, improved teacher well-being, and stronger academic outcomes. Advocacy groups champion PBIS for closing equity gaps and supporting students with disabilities under IDEA. 

From classrooms to courtrooms, PBIS is shifting school justice from punishment to skill-building.

Learn more about PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/07/pbis-positive-behavioral-interventions-and-supports/

Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org

https://www.youtube.com/@KidlawACNJ

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

Did schools stop teaching kids HOW to behave, and is PBIS the modern fix we've been missing? Part 1 of 2 PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS PODCAST

- How "Citizenship" was once a graded subject in U.S. schools
- Why schools stopped teaching and grading student behavior
- How NCLB and standardized testing reshaped school priorities
- What PBIS is and how it works as a school-wide framework
- The three tiers of PBIS support: Universal, Targeted, Intensive
- Why PBIS is the only behavior approach named in federal law (IDEA)

In the 1950s, elementary report cards included a "Citizenship" grade that evaluated behavior, respect, responsibility, and participation, separate from academics. Over the following decades, a shift toward standardized testing, STEM prioritization, funding cuts, and political pressure gradually pushed this holistic approach out of schools. 

Today, PBIS, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, has emerged as the evidence-based successor. Rather than simply punishing misbehavior, PBIS proactively teaches behavioral expectations across three tiers of support, using data-driven decisions, positive reinforcement, and culturally responsive practices to create safer, more effective learning environments for all students.

Learn more about PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/07/pbis-positive-behavioral-interventions-and-supports/

Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org

https://www.youtube.com/@KidlawACNJ

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.

Still navigating WIC? Part 5 covers the final stretch, from digital tools and systemic barriers to advocacy and exit planning.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS PODCAST

- How to plan for self-sufficiency before your WIC benefits end
- Where to find free legal aid if your benefits are denied or cut
- How community organizations can help you access and use WIC
- How to use online portals, mobile apps, and eWIC tools
- How to report problems and contact elected officials
- How to build a personal action plan for full program participation

WIC serves low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women and children up to age 5, but navigating the program can be complex. This installment of Kidlaw's 100-item WIC guide covers items 82–100, focusing on the resources and strategies participants need most at every stage. 

Learn how to use state WIC portals and mobile apps like WIC Shopper, protect your personal data online, and get services even without internet access. 

Discover how to address systemic and cultural barriers, ensure equitable treatment, and advocate for policy change through congressional outreach. 

Whether you're wrapping up participation or helping others access WIC, this video gives you the tools to navigate with confidence.

Learn more about Navigating WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/05/24/navigating-wic-special-supplemental-nutrition-program-for-women-infants-and-children/

Kidlaw Official Website - https://Kidlaw.org

https://www.youtube.com/@KidlawACNJ

Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), Kidlaw, Kidlaw.org, ACNJ.org, Let's Talk Kids, and any other ACNJ affiliated websites, podcasts, video channels or similar DO NOT provide any legal advice and users of this web site should consult with their own lawyer for legal advice.

This broadcast (the "Broadcast") is a general service that provides educational information over the Internet. We are not a law firm and our employees, executives or management are not your attorney or acting as your attorney.

The information contained in the Broadcast is general information and should not be construed as legal advice to be applied to any specific factual situation. If you believe or are unsure whether your particular situation requires legal advice or legal information, you should consult a lawyer.