April 2021

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, with Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, left, and First Lady Britainy Beshear, places a flag at the state Capitol to memorialize Kentuckians who have died of complications from COVID-19. In Kentucky and at least three other states, lawmakers are trying to gain control over funds allocated to their state under the latest federal COVID-19 relief package. Photo Credit: Ryan C. Hermens Lexington Herald-Leader via The Associated Press March 31, 2021 With states set to...

When one thinks of meditation some will think of someone sitting cross-legged on the floor, with fingers in a funny position, repeating a simple word or sound such as “ooommm”. However, meditation is much deeper and richer a practice than just the one practice encompassing many forms. This fourth article in the mindfulness, prayer, and meditation series examines meditation, the many forms it can take and its benefits to mental and physical health. Defining Meditation The word “meditate”...

By Lisa Lerer and Jennifer Medina, The New York Times, March 30, 2021 Last March, as most of America worried about getting sick, Kate Farley had a different, urgent concern: having a baby amid a pandemic. The months after the birth of her third child were a blur of sleepless nights, followed by days spent managing remote school for her kindergartner, struggling to entertain her preschooler and setting up a classroom in her Middletown, N.J., home. By the time Ms. Farley returned to work in...

By Anne Williams-Isom and Benita R. Miller, The Imprint, March 22, 2021 Once again , New York City is reeling from the murder of a child. The circumstances around the killing of 10-year-old Ayden Wolfe are eerily familiar – a vulnerable mother, a new partner with a history of violence and the loss of an innocent child. Once again, there is a mad scramble by city officials to evaluate potential loopholes in procedures or failures to follow processes. Neighbors and family are asking themselves...

By Shonda L. Goward, EdSource, March 29, 2021 California colleges and universities should permanently adopt policies that were put in place to better support students during the pandemic. These practices can help students graduate more quickly, lessening debt loads and making students eligible more quickly for higher paying work. Some of the biggest differences these pandemic-inspired changes made for students were immediate: They did not have to commute to campus or search endlessly for...

By Mario Aguilar, STAT, March 29, 2021 Late last year, Reno, Nev., Mayor Hillary Schieve proposed a novel idea to try to meet the mental health needs of her community: The city would spend $1.3 million of expiring coronavirus relief funding on virtual therapy through the app Talkspace. With the exception of young children, every resident would have free access. Nothing of the kind had been tried before. Reno doesn’t usually tackle mental health issues — it doesn’t have a behavioral health...

By Kellie Schmitt, Center for Health Journalism, March 24, 2021 Amid a pandemic that shined a harsh light on domestic violence , Californians are increasingly viewing these abuses as a pressing social issue, according to a new survey of nearly 2,000 adults. Two-thirds of Californians consider domestic violence a public issue rather than private family matter, and 91% of participants said domestic violence is a serious societal issue, the survey found. “This info has given some validation to...