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By Alexandra Villareal, The Guardian, May 26, 2021 From county officials and sheriffs to governors and senators, white male minority rule pervades politics in the United States, according to a new report published on Wednesday. White men represent 30% of the population but 62% of officeholders, dominating both chambers of Congress, 42 state legislatures and statewide roles across the nation, the analysis shows. By contrast, women and people of color constitute 51% and 40% of the US...

By Eliott C. McLaughlin, CNN, May 27, 2021 Critical race theory is just that -- a theory -- but the term has been weaponized, with its most extreme critics alleging that merely studying the theory is racist. Long before the concept dubbed CRT drew controversy, scholars were studying how bigotry and bias infiltrated American institutions and shaped American life. After all, any telling of American history cannot fairly ignore that 177 of the country's 245 years -- 72% of its existence, all...

It is not unusual for human beings to be a little narcissistic and is a developmental stage that every teenager and young adult passes through. However, what if that narcissism continues into adult life? What problems do narcissists cause for themselves and their children? This article will examine what narcissism is, some of the warning signs that you may be an adult victim of a narcissist, and much more. What is a Narcissist? The term “narcissist” describes people, reportedly more men than...

By Diana Lambert, EdSource, May 26, 2021 Merced County Office of Education students will hike through a wildlife preserve, fish in the Merced River and take sailing lessons from a local yacht club as part of this year’s summer school program. Elk Grove Unified students have the option to learn to act, sing or perform slam poetry. San Francisco students can take archery at a local park or classes in a high-rise downtown building that is usually home to tech workers. Although school districts...

Over the last thirty years, Dr. Perry has been an active teacher, clinician and researcher in children’s mental health and the neurosciences holding a variety of academic positions. His work on the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma on the developing brain has impacted clinical practice, programs and policy across the world. Dr. Perry is the author, with Maia Szalavitz, of The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, a bestselling book based on his work with maltreated children.

ACEs Aware in Action May 2021 Our State of CAre is ACEs Aware This month, we launched a statewide health care provider engagement campaign to expand the reach and impact of the ACEs Aware initiative. The campaign is designed to help clinical health care teams understand the importance of screening for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and invites them to join the ACEs Aware movement by getting trained and certified to screen for ACEs. The campaign uses digital and print media to raise...

By Change Lab Solutions, May 2021 How can cross-sector partnerships foster a just food system and support healthy communities? What do health care systems, local governments, and community organizations need to consider when partnering to increase healthy food access for those who need it most? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity rates in the United States have risen to unprecedented levels, affecting not only individual health but health equity in our communities. To address...

From Prevention Institute, May 2021 Summary The Community Safety Realized report describes how the science and practice of public health and the values of equity and justice can shape community-driven, multi-sector approaches to safety. The dual purposes of the report are to expand collective understanding of community violence prevention policies, practices, and programs, and to invite collaboration among community-based organizations, government agencies, policymakers, and local, state,...

The Organization Healthy Places by Design advances community-led action and proven, place-based strategies to ensure health and wellbeing for all. Operating as a virtual organization based in North Carolina, we envision a nation of healthy, equitable communities where everyone reaches their full potential. We believe that health and wellbeing are essential human rights. We create impact where it is most needed, respecting, and honoring the voices of people who face the starkest health...

When people hear about the mental and physical health risks of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress, one of the first questions is, “What do we do about this?” Awareness of the prevalence of adversity and the impact of stress on the brain and body leads to the possibility for prevention and response. Whether you are acting within a family, agency, organization, business or community, the next steps should be taken knowing that we will all work together to bring about change.

By Lorelei Goff, The Greenville Sun, May 26, 2021 Susan Lachmann’s ability to use art as tools for mental health defines her. “I love making something out of nothing,” said Lachmann. “It makes me a creator. That’s so empowering. And that’s so essential to me. “My life has had plenty of challenges. I nearly died in my own bathtub after a postpartum hemorrhage. I watched my house burn down holding my baby in my arms. All kinds of things. The arts are a lifeboat for me, and I don’t want to go...

By Nirmita Panchal, Rabah Kamal, Cynthia Cox, et al., Kaiser Family Foundation, May 26, 2021 Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, children have experienced major disruptions as a result of public health safety measures, including school closures, social isolation, financial hardships, and gaps in health care access. Many parents have reported poor mental health outcomes in their children throughout the pandemic – in May 2020, shortly after the pandemic began, 29% said their child’s...