Districts Implementation of Active Shooter Drill Policies

High-profile school shootings provoke public outcry and calls for policy responses to gun violence in schools. However, policy makers face pressure from diverse stakeholders with distinct agendas, and in some areas, there is little empirical research to guide policy makers’ decisions. Active shooter drills are one such example of a hotly debated policy response in need of further study. As a preliminary step to filling this research gap, this mixed-methods study investigated how school districts in Florida have implemented active shooter drills following legislation passed after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. We analyzed school safety specialists’ perceptions and reports of drill procedures and their alignment with best practices. The majority of the districts surveyed aligned with Best Practices established by the National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Resource Officers. Implications for future research and considerations for the implementation of active shooter drills are discussed.

Liberal Education and Politics: An Introduction

National Association of Scholars Board Chairman Keith Whitaker introduces David Bolotin’s provocative remarks at a St. John’s College presentation.

Disability Content in the Journal of Counseling and Development and Social Work: A Comparative Analysis

The purpose of this study was to provide an understanding of how disability is addressed in the Journal of Counseling and Development ( JCD), the flagship journal of the American Counseling Association. A review of disability content in JCD was compared with a review of disability in Social Work ( SW), the flagship journal of the National Association of Social Workers. A series of between and within analyses for JCD and SW addressed the frequency, focus areas, and trends concerning how both journals addressed disability content over their histories. Overall, SW published a higher rate of disability content articles. Mental health was the most common disability domain addressed in both journals; however, JCD has published most of its disability content articles on mental health over the past two decades. The findings of the present study are discussed concerning prior research, historical events, and implications for accreditation.

United States Epilepsy Center Characteristics: A Data Analysis From the National Association of Epilepsy Centers

Background and Objectives:Patients with drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) may benefit from specialized testing and treatments to better control seizures and improve quality of life. Most evaluations and procedures for DRE in the United States are performed at epilepsy centers accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC). On an annual basis, the NAEC collects data from accredited epilepsy centers on hospital-based epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) size and admissions, diagnostic testing, surgeries, and other services. This article highlights trends in epilepsy center services from 2012 through 2019.Methods:We analyzed data reported in 2012, 2016, and 2019 from all level 3 and level 4 NAEC accredited epilepsy centers. Data were described using frequency for categorical variables and median for continuous variables and were analyzed by center level and center population category. EMU beds, EMU admissions, epileptologists, and aggregate procedure volumes were also described using rates per population per year.Results:During the period studied, the number of NAEC accredited centers increased from 161 to 256, with the largest increases in adult- and pediatric-only centers. Growth in EMU admissions (41%), EMU beds (26%), and epileptologists (109%) per population occurred. Access to specialized testing and services broadly expanded. The largest growth in procedure volumes occurred in laser interstitial thermal therapy (LiTT) (61%), responsive neurostimulation (RNS) implantations (114%) and intracranial monitoring without resection (152%) over the study period. Corpus callosotomies and vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) implantations decreased (-12.8% and -2.4% respectively), while growth in temporal lobectomies (5.9%), extratemporal resections (11.9%), and hemispherectomies/otomies (13.1%) lagged center growth (59%), leading to a decrease in median volumes of these procedures per center.Discussion:During the study period, the availability of specialty epilepsy care in the U.S. improved as the NAEC implemented its accreditation program. Surgical case complexity increased while aggregate surgical volume remained stable or declined across most procedure types, with a corresponding decline in cases per center. This article describes recent data trends and current state of resources and practice across NAEC member centers and identifies several future directions for driving systematic improvements in epilepsy care.

The Evolving Role of Area Agencies on Aging Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have played an important and well-documented role in meeting the nutritional and wellness needs of older adults during COVID-19. To better understand the continued impact of COVID-19 pandemic on AAA services, partnerships, and clients, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging surveyed the nation’s 618 AAAs in February 2021, with a 27% response rate. As a result of COVID-19, most AAAs reported both increased numbers of new clients and needs of existing clients; three-quarters of AAAs developed new external partnerships; and over half are implementing strategies to address equity and inclusion regarding their services and clients. Nearly 80% of AAAs are involved with COVID-19 vaccine outreach and delivery, from scheduling appointments to administering the vaccine to homebound clients. We will describe these and other transformations of services, partnerships, and client needs; discuss challenges and opportunities; and provide examples and video vignettes from AAA directors.

Answering the Call for Diversity and Racial Equity: The National Association for Geriatric Education

The National Association for Geriatric Education (NAGE) is a non-profit organization representing geriatric and gerontology programs, including Health Services and Resource Administration funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs (GWEPs), and Geriatric Academic Career Awardees (GACAs). NAGE responded to the renewed call to address systemic racism and racial inequities by forming a Diversity and Racial Equity Workgroup. The Workgroup explored ways to disseminate educational resources, support members to address racial inequities among older adults, promote increased diversity of the geriatrics/gerontology workforce, and support public policy initiatives that address racism and health disparities. Initial outputs include creating a Diversity and Racial Equity resource page, identifying liaisons to the Workgroup from each NAGE Committee to ensure impact across the organization, and organizing collaborations across GWEPs and GACAs to share successful initiatives. Future plans include education and advocacy with members and collaborating organizations to address systemic racism and racial health inequities impacting older adults.

Reaching Herd Immunity During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: What School Nurses Need to Know

The National Association of School Nurses supports pandemic control efforts. School nurses are advocates for their students, caregivers, school staff, teachers, and school administrators. With a clear understanding of how the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) virus evolves over time and changes transmissibility through mutations, school nurses gain understanding in epidemiologic calculation of herd immunity. To understand why the estimates of herd immunity fluctuate, as often reported in the news, school nurses need to understand how epidemiologist calculate this number. Obtaining herd immunity will protect the most vulnerable in the population. If all countries have access to vaccines and populations choose to receive vaccinations, herd immunity is more likely to be obtained. Equipped with knowledge of how herd immunity is calculated, school nurses are in a position to educate and advocate for the use of vaccines.