Culturally Connected :  Culturally Connected is an approach that brings together cultural humility and health literacy to help care providers and those they serve develop shared understanding of each other's values, beliefs, needs and priorities.  While developed in Canada for those working in the health arena, this information, tools and resources are relevant to our work in the US as parent centers.  Learn more.

Resources for Youth with Disabilities, Families, & Professionals:  The US Department of Health and Human Services has a page of resources for youth with disabilities, families and professionals.  From this page, you can also access information on adolescent health, physical health, youth with chronic conditions, and healthcare transition, among other topics.

Why Understanding Equity vs. Equality Can Help You Create an Inclusive Classroom :  The quality of education that students receive directly correlates to their quality of life years down the road.  Early education in particular has the power to shape a child's future and the more resources available to them, the better.  For this reason, it's crucial for educators to address any barriers young students face to succeeding in school. The key is equity.  Equity means offering individualized support to students that addresses possible barriers, like poverty or limited transportation. 97% of teachers agree that equity is important, but many don't know how to best work towards it in their classrooms.  But once educators have the right strategies to promote equity in schools, they can make sure each student is prepared to reach their potential.  Want to create inclusive and equitable classrooms at your school?  Discover the difference between equity and equality, then learn five strategies for resolving common barriers to equity in education.  Read more.

Working With the Courts for Permanency:  Courts play a key role within the child welfare system in achieving permanency for children.  Judges, attorneys, child welfare professionals, and others must understand and implement the laws and work together to ensure timely, safe, and stable permanent families for children.  Find resources here.

Engaging Families in Improving the Health Care System for Children with Special Health Care Needs:  The evidence is clear that patient outcomes improve, and family and provider satisfaction rises, when health providers who care for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) actively partner with parents and caregivers in what is known as family-centered care.  Yet offering family-centered care is only part of the story.  To create a high-quality system of care, the family perspective must be actively pursued and incorporated at all levels of the health care system - direct care, organizational design and governance, and policymaking.  A review of relevant literature on patient and family engagement finds that at present most family engagement activities occur in physicians' offices, hospitals, and clinics.  There is both need and opportunity for families also to be engaged within the broader health care system and as contributors to public decision-making.  Involving families in program and policy planning makes it more likely that the service provided will be appropriate and utilized.  This fact sheet outlines the barriers to family engagement and the opportunities to improve it at all levels of the healthcare system.  Find out more.

Tips for Teachers & Staff: How to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness:  For many students experiencing homelessness, school is the only place of stability in their lives.  Teachers play a crucial role in creating a classroom environment that is safe and supportive for all students, especially those who are highly mobile and have experienced the trauma that often accompanies homelessness.  Find information and strategies that teachers and support staff can use to support the educational success of students experiencing homelessness.

Judge Halts Trump's Insurance Mandate for Immigrants:  A federal judge stopped the State Department from suspending legal immigrants' entry to the United States if they don't provide evidence of health insurance coverage or ability to pay medical expenses.  Check it out.

Why High School Inclusion Matters: Factors to Consider:  Inclusion of students with significant disabilities at the high school level has been long debated and undoubtedly presents challenges for districts and schools.  However, there are evidence-based reasons for implementing inclusive practices.  And, students with and without disabilities alike will benefit.  Access this brief fact sheet.

National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability:  The Arc's National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability (NCCID) serves as a bridge between the criminal justice and disability communities.  NCCID pursues and promotes safety, fairness, and justice for people with I/DD, especially those with hidden disabilities and marginalized identities, as victims, witnesses, suspects, defendants, and incarcerated persons.  Access their resources.

Equality Federation Response to Introduction of the Fairness for All Act:  On Friday, December 6, Rep. Chris Stewart from Utah introduced in Congress the "Fairness for All Act" to address LGBTQ discrimination.  More details.

Cultural Awareness in Disaster Behavioral Health:  As the United States continues to become more racially and ethnically diverse, disaster behavioral health professionals should implement strategies and plans for working with diverse populations.  To respond effectively to the mental health and substance use-related needs of survivors, responders must be sensitive to the unique experiences, beliefs, norms, values, traditions, customs, and languages of individuals in communities they serve.  Find out more.

Extended Health Care Option (ECHO):  This military health care option was originally intended to replace the types of supports and services that civilians can access through Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Waivers (HCBS).  It's also sometimes known as the military health care system's best kept secret.  Find out what ECHO might do for military families in your state, even if they are not active duty.  Learn more.

Head to the Hill with NIEA:  From February 4-6, NIEA Hill Day will feature one-of-a-kind Native Education advocacy sessions to engage, update, and inform attendees on key issues current to Native education.  Our action driven Capitol Hill event provides training for real Native advocacy for the current national landscape.  As NIEA prepares emerging and seasoned advocates in the days before Hill visits, informational sessions focus on progress and how to address recent challenges for Native education.  More information.

New Resource for Effective Family Engagement:  The National Association for Family, Community and School Engagement has a new resource developed in partnership with the FrameWorks Institute a communication toolkit to help us all rethink the way we communicate about family and community engagement so that people can understand it, appreciate it, and value it.  The interactive tools provided highlight several communications strategies proven by research to work in shifting people's mindsets about family engagement.  They also invite you to visit our new website, famengage.org, that highlights this work and the work of the National Alliance for Family Engagement, which has come together to encourage the adoption of these new strategies.  Access the toolkit.

Guiding Principles of Social and Emotional Learning:   This piece provides information on the guiding principles of social-emotional learning for young children.   Check it out.

The Cost of Stress: The Devastating Effects of Toxic Stress in Children and Adults:   Toxic stress can have catastrophic effects on a child's development, including their physical and mental health.  At the fetal, infant, and even early childhood stages, their still-developing brains are especially susceptible to stress-related biological influences.  Stress experienced by an expectant mother transfers directly to the child she carries.  Find out more.