On Wednesday, September 29, CHILDREN AT RISK and the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative launched the first in a series of monthly roundtables centered on racial equity first These monthly Racial Equity Rapid Roundtables will gather community leaders, child advocates, and issue experts to unpack the inequities experienced by Texas children and their families.
Each month, topics will cover current events and emerging trends impacting historically marginalized communities, such as how African American and Hispanic communities suffered higher rates of COVID-19 infections and COVID-19 related death-causing community-wide trauma, or delve into why rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide for African American youth are on the rise.
The first Racial Equity Rapid Roundtable centered on Back to School, masking, vaccination, and pandemic learning. School and medical experts gathered to discuss COVID-19 and the racial disparities that families are facing as their children return to the classroom in person.
CHILDREN AT RISK President & CEO, Dr. Bob Sanborn, and Director of The Texas Racial Equity Collaborative, Sharon Watkins Jones, were joined by Elijah Barefield, Dean of Students at Carver Middle School in Waco ISD, Dr. Jasmine Jenkins, Executive Director of Houstonians for Great Public Schools, and Evelyn Malone Hicks, an RN/MHA Nurse, Healthcare Consultant and parent to Lamar Consolidated ISD elementary school students.
“Masking has become an equity issue for children of color,” said Dr. Bob Sanborn. “Not only are their families disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, but preventable exposure has ripple effects from increased learning lost to impacts on the greater Texas economy.”
“The lack of masking policies may also expose younger, unvaccinated children to a disease they could take home to other vulnerable family members,” said TREC Director, Sharon Watkins Jones. “This could cause parents and caregivers to miss work and lose wages, ultimately hurting their ability to adequately provide for their families.”
Watch the roundtable recording below, or on Facebook at https://fb.watch/8lsUmdhWYK/
Roundtable Participants:
- Bob Sanborn, Ed.D., – President & CEO, CHILDREN AT RISK
- Elijah Barefield, Dean of Students, Carver Middle School-Waco ISD
- Dr. Jasmine Jenkins, Executive Director, Houstonians for Great Public Schools
- Evelyn Malone Hicks, RN, MHA Nurse, Healthcare Consultant, Parent of Elementary School Children in Lamar Consolidated ISD
- Sharon Watkins Jones, Director of the Texas Racial Equity Collaborative, CHILDREN AT RISK
Check out the media coverage on this roundtable below:
MORE LIKE THIS
C@R Hosts HISD Trustee Candidate Forum
Elections for Trustees for the Houston Independent School District Board are this November! On October 21st, CHILDREN AT RISK hosted a virtual candidate forum. Watch the recording linked below to hear how they plan to address educational inequity,...
Attendance & Learning in the time of COVID-19
IN THE TIME OF COVID: Attendance & LearningResearch shows that students who attend school regularly earn higher grades are more likely to graduate and are better prepared for college. The pandemic made it difficult for many students to attend...
Special Education in the time of COVID-19
IN THE TIME OF COVID: Special EducationSpecial education policies help ensure students with disabilities are placed in the most appropriate environments with the accommodations necessary to meet their learning needs. How has COVID-19 affected...
Student Mental Health in the time of COVID-19
IN THE TIME OF COVID: Student Mental HealthMental health is an important issue that affects students every day. Having access to mental health services can reduce the stress caused by difficult situations and improve academic performance....