Dr. Angela Griffin, Washington Board of Education member, Preschool educator and director, and educator of educators, shares how Washington state was able to keep daycares and preschools going during CoVid. She shares how maintaining these programs supported families, but also addressed the social emotional needs of early learners. These programs ensured foundational skills for students that resulted in better outcomes in kindergarten and first grade.

On the other end of the spectrum, we have high school students who literally "disappeared" during CoVid. Non-traditional students, and/or students who did not have support during CoVid "dropped out" by simply stopping to attend. In the subsequent years, many schools have not found, or even looked, for these students to ensure their completion of high school.

Dr. Griffin shares some of the systems and resources that Washington, and other states, including Utah, have implemented that are making a positive impact. Mental health days for students, support for parents on how to ask open ended questions that get children talking, and even programs that offer students professional mental health support through texting programs.

As we are bringing season 1 to an end, we want to ensure that listeners have mental health resources. If you, or someone you know, needs support please contact the National Alliance on Mental Health: 1-800-950-6264, or reach someone by texting to 62640.