As the classic Beatles tune goes, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” To support students as they recover from the pandemic and beyond, a new report suggests educators endorse a similar sentiment and encourage peer connections as a tool for social-emotional […]
Category: Conditions of Children
Conditions of Children
Supporting LGBTQ youth extends beyond Pride Month
In a classroom combining first- and second-graders in San Diego, California, a child began the pre-pandemic school year with short hair, sporting jeans and T-shirts similar to all the boys in class. Over the course of the year, the child grew their hair long and […]
Suicide prevention resources for schools
The California Department of Education hosted its final webinar of the school year on suicide prevention May 25, spotlighting important resources and strategies for local educational agencies as they prepare for in-person instruction with youth who have been impacted by the pandemic. Dr. Shashank Joshi, […]
CA Surgeon General leads national campaign to create awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences
California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is leading a six-month national public information campaign about the negative physical and mental health impacts that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have. The campaign includes public service announcements as well as social media partnerships to be announced […]
Outdoor learning could help safely return students to campuses
Founding members of the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative discussed how outside spaces can be used for safe instruction and benefit students as they return to campuses during a two-part webinar series on April 15 and 28 sponsored by the California Department of Education. At […]
States tackle student mental health needs through common policies
Mental health challenges among students have been deeply exacerbated by the pandemic, and many state and local policymakers have acknowledged a need to implement strong mental health services to better support children. Thus far in 2021, more than 200 bills in state legislatures that address […]
Student participation key component of Butte County virtual forum on student mental health
On April 22, more than 700 attendees from around Butte County participated in a virtual forum on youth mental health called “End the Silence.” Organized by a coalition of community organizations in partnership with the Butte County Office of Education, the free event was open […]
Expanded learning opportunities event encourages ‘broader, bolder and smarter’ use of grant funds
California’s K-12 practitioners came together on May 5 for a daylong virtual event focused on how Expanded Learning Opportunities Grant funds, available through Assembly Bill 86, can be used to support student learning recovery and well-being. A collaborative effort by the California AfterSchool Network, California […]
Fighting anti-Asian sentiment: An unheralded equity issue
Editor’s note: May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a national celebration of the vibrant and diverse traditions and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. This month comes at a pivotal time in the awareness and acknowledgement of the discrimination against Asian Americans in […]
New brief spotlights funding sources to boost student mental health services
Student mental health challenges have been deeply exacerbated by the pandemic, and many state and local policymakers have acknowledged a need to implement strong mental health services to better support children. To aid in this effort, Education Commission of The States released a policy brief […]









