A Summary of Maternal Mortality in Missouri: A Historical Perspective (1999-2018).

The rate of maternal mortality in the United States (U.S.) is higher than any other industrialized nation, at 23.

Adult and student perspectives on racial and ethnic equity-informed school-based strategies.

Although racial and ethnic equity-informed school-based strategies are important to addressing racialized structures and processes that create and sustain racial trauma, disadvantage and disparity, little is known about the process of embedding racial and ethnic equity in school-based strategies and how adults and young people perceive them to promote a positive school climate and youth development. Using a qualitative research approach that included focus groups, this study examined student of color and school and community partner staff perceptions of the role and influence racial and ethnic equity-informed school-based strategies in one middle school have on the school's climate and students of color experiences and development. Findings suggest that racial and ethnic equity-informed social and emotional learning strategies are important in facilitating positive student-teacher interactions and identity and social-emotional development among students of color.

Experiences and perceptions of school staff regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and racial equity: The role of colorblindness.

As schools physically closed across the country to protect against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear early on that the burden on students will not be equally shared. Structural racism patterns the lives of people of color that, in turn, increases their exposure to the effects of the pandemic further impacting the quality of education the students of color have access to. It is critical to examine the ways in which racial disparities in social emotional and educational outcomes have the potential to increase as a result of the pandemic.

Developing Relationship-Building Tools for Foster Families Caring for Teens who are LGBTQ2S.

Youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) are disproportionally represented in the foster care population and often face discrimination within the system. This article summarizes findings from focus groups with youth in care who are LGBTQ2S, foster caregivers, and child welfare workers to explore (a) the unique challenges and support-related needs of youth in care who are LGBTQ2S and their foster caregivers, and (b) strategies for building better relationships between these youth and caregivers. Findings can be used to improve youth placement stability.