Why are so many black babies dying in Palm Beach County? (Palm Beach Post) The findings are part of a yearlong, Legislature-financed effort to uncover the causes of high black infant-mortality rates in eight counties across the state. While far fewer black babies were born in Palm Beach County than white, a greater percentage of black mothers lost babies in the womb.

Manatee Glens closing treatment program for teenagers (Sarasota Herald Tribune) Amid an increase in the number of children struggling with mental illness, Manatee Glens is closing its residential treatment program for teenagers with substance abuse and mental health problems.

Foster kids get a helping hand from fsu's Myron Rolle (Orlando Sentinel) Their heartbreak is thoroughly documented in the Florida Department of Children and Families case files, some that contain unspeakable sins. But there are occasional slivers of hope, times when adults do not fail them, and instead let them see the goodness in life.

394 teachers lose jobs (Miami Herald) Almost 400 Broward teachers are officially out of work, at least for now, after Broward School Board members voted to lay them off in an era of declining enrollment and shrinking budgets.

Fort Myers youth center in fiscal trouble (Southwest Florida's News-Press) Advocates and volunteers said the Bridge helps prevent teen pregnancy, violence and substance abuse during after school hours, when most juvenile crime occurs.

Prison system change sought (Miami Herald) A call by Florida's most powerful business lobby to halt prison construction and reform the criminal justice system is gaining surprising traction among policymakers in the wake of a deepening budget crisis and growing evidence that building new prison beds will not reduce crime.

What we think: Reform justice system (Orlando Sentinel) The state's juvenile-justice system, another target for reform from the coalition, turns out to be an apprenticeship for the big house. About half the kids incarcerated in the system wind up in prison as adults.

Obama cranking up efforts to have US join global Rights of Child pact (Associated Press) The treaty says children have basic rights to education, health care and protection from abuse. Its supporters have used it to improve child protection laws for schools and courts in places like Lebanon, South Korea, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Who's for Kids and Who's Just Kidding (www.iamforkids.org) Advocacy groups speaking up for foster children, former college football athlete creating memories for foster children, and the cost of teen drinking featured.