Blog

It doesn't feel like work when it's a passion, a calling, a soul-pull.

Here's what they tell you: Work hard in school. Love yourself. Get enough sleep. Say no to drugs and tobacco. Don't consume sugary drinks. Use a condom. Don't let yourself be pressured into sex. Accept your body. Get a career before you have children. Eat five fruits and vegetables a day. Breathe! Don't bully. Dream big. Here's what they don't tell you: If you grew up poor, there is a much higher than average chance that you will have children outside of marriage, and this fact, more than...

Imagine a school system where some of our country's most underserved students have limited access to grade-level math and science courses, pass rates for those classes are significantly lower than those of their peers in nearby schools, and accurate enrollment information is only available for a fraction of eligible youths. And in that system, 44 percent of youths are black . This describes the education system experienced by students attending school while incarcerated in juvenile...

When young children are playing on smartphones, many parents have low expectations for what’s on the screen: bright colors, loud noises, a general lack of any greater moral lesson. A study released earlier this week , unfortunately, adds to that list: It found that the most frequently downloaded apps aimed at children ages 5 and under—even those categorized as “educational” and even ones that cost money—contain loads of advertising. After testing 135 apps, the researchers, most of whom are...

A new research hub based at UC Berkeley’s Institute for Research on Labor and Employment (IRLE) and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research in Washington, D.C., will explore the health effects of income and workplace policies. Its research focus will be minimum wage laws, state and federal tax benefits, paid leave policies, work schedules, and other policies that help working parents, especially the most vulnerable. The effort is supported through Policies for Action , a research program...

Great ideas can start with one Tweet! April 28, 2018, Tonja Frank , aka School Nurse T sent this tweet asking "Who wants to have a #schoolnursechat? Let's share our experiences. Who's in?" It was a tweet heard through the Twittersphere and before we knew it, the #SchoolNurseChat was born. The original pioneers with me in this adventure were Tonja, Lisa Kern , and Chris Amidon , all colleagues who connected through the magic of social media. A Twitter chat is a public Twitter conversation...

I'm excited to announce our newest ACEs Connection geographic community for my region, the Midwest & TN: Douglas County (WI) Fostering Futures . This community is the collaborative effort of community members with a mission to support and advance trauma informed principles by enhancing efforts toward community-wide competency in trauma informed practices that build individual and community resilience. The site managers are Amanda Lindquist & Tracy Henegar. Amanda Lindquist is a...

Finally, we can all agree that the following are bad: Child abuse and neglect The opioid crisis and other substance misuse Children dropping out of school Adults losing their jobs and income Parents hurting one another while their kids watch People with untreated mental health challenges raising kids Adults misusing alcohol when they should be parenting Cities without services to keep children safe from harm Schools without resources to help students with challenges Elected officials...

The Prison Policy Initiative released a report yesterday (October 30) called “ Getting Back on Course ” that explores “educational exclusion and attainment among formerly incarcerated people.” It breaks down the ways those who have been in the prison system are typically blocked from educational opportunities for the rest of their lives, which in turn adversely impacts their ability to attain employment. The report, which relies on data from the National Former Prisoner Survey , reveals that...

“Why would someone wait this long to report their story? When police stations are in place and there are laws to protect survivors, why won’t they utilise these avenues?” It makes logical sense. After all, these entities exist with the sole purpose of protecting these women. However, the questions reek of ignorance and privilege. The intricacies of sexual trauma demonstrate how the social, economic and political spots occupied by the survivor can have implications on their physical and...

Millions of families live in poverty in the United States. Associated stressors can often lead to adverse life experiences for children in those families, and negative socioemotional outcomes later in life. Family-centered programs are a well-supported way of buffering against these effects. More than two decades of peer-reviewed research suggests family -focused interventions play a role in improving outcomes over a long period of time. Now, a paper published in Child Development finally...

When I ask an audience, “Who believes we are on a path to self-extinction ?” nearly every hand goes up. It’s a sign of a growing awareness that humanity is on a path to self-imposed environmental and social collapse. For me, that awareness is a source of hope. I recently discovered an even deeper source of hope on a trip to South Korea. There I was involved in a remarkable series of international discussions on the transition to “ecological civilization.” I had the privilege of keynoting a...