Monitoring Green Sea Turtles in the San Gabriel River of Southern California.

Effective conservation of endangered species relies on the characterization of habitat use and tracking of long-term population trends, which can be especially challenging for marine species that migrate long distances and utilize a diversity of habitats throughout their lives. Since 2012, citizen science volunteers at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, have been monitoring an urban population of East Pacific green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) that resides near the mouth of the San Gabriel River (SGR) in Southern California, USA, in order to gain insights about how the population uses this area. Here, we collate and analyze nine years of citizen science data, including observed sightings collected across 10 observation stations. Our results confirm that green sea turtles are frequently present around warm water effluent from power plants, similar to research results reported for other locations in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Importantly, observational data also show notable green sea turtle activity around the outfalls for a small wetland habitat bordering the SGR, highlighting the importance of wetland ecosystems as a key habitat and foraging area for this threatened population. Finally, our results showcase the benefits of using citizen science to monitor sea turtle populations in easily accessible nearshore habitats.

Utilizing the Increased WIC Cash Value Benefit for Fruits and Vegetables: A Qualitative Study

Background: Addressing disparities in fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in childhood is important for chronic disease prevention. During COVID, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) increased the Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for FV by ~$25/person/month. Our objectives were to understand barriers and facilitators to participants' uptake of this policy change and whether and how it influenced WIC households' FV consumption. Methods: We conducted 10 virtual focus groups with WIC participants (n=56) in North Carolina in March 2022. Sampled participants represented two subgroups: (1) rural WIC participants (5 focus groups) (2) urban/suburban (5 focus groups). We used a semi-structured focus group guide to assess perceptions and awareness of the CVB change, barriers to using CVB, and perceived influence of the CVB change on FV consumption. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and open-coded. We used thematic analysis informed by social constructionist grounded theory to uncover consistencies within and between sampled groups. Results: Participants expressed favorable perceptions of the CVB increase and felt CVB was one of the most valued parts of the WIC food package. Participants stated the pre-COVID CVB amount was insufficient. Barriers to utilizing the increased CVB were finding WIC-eligible FV in stores, insufficient supply of appealing FV, and preferred stores for FV not accepting WIC. Facilitators were household preferences for FV and the variety of FV that can be purchased with the CVB. Many participants felt the CVB increase allowed them and their children to eat a wider variety of FV, serve FV more often, and worry less about food waste associated with trying new FV. Conclusions: The CVB increase was positively perceived by WIC participants in North Carolina and may reduce FV intake disparities, but barriers to CVB and WIC benefit utilization must be addressed. This study can inform future efforts to improve the WIC food package and access to FV.

"I Think That's the Most Beneficial Change That WIC Has Made in a Really Long Time": Perceptions and Awareness of an Increase in the WIC Cash Value Benefit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Cash Value Benefit (CVB) for fruits and vegetables increased by roughly USD 25/month/person. We sought to understand WIC participant perceptions of this change and barriers and facilitators to using the CVB. We conducted 10 virtual focus groups (5 rural, 5 urban/suburban) with WIC participants (n = 55) in North Carolina in March 2022. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed. We open-coded the content and used thematic analysis to uncover consistencies within and between sampled groups. Participants expressed favorable perceptions of the CVB increase and stated the pre-pandemic CVB amount was insufficient. Barriers to using the increased CVB were identifying WIC-approved fruits and vegetables in stores and insufficient supply of fruits and vegetables. Barriers were more pronounced in rural groups. Facilitators of CVB use were existing household preferences for fruits and vegetables and the variety of products that can be purchased with CVB relative to other components of the WIC food package. Participants felt the CVB increase allowed their families to eat a wider variety of fruits and vegetables. The CVB increase may improve fruit and vegetable intake, particularly if made permanent, but barriers to CVB and WIC benefit use may limit the potential impact.

Understanding Teacher Self-Efficacy to Address Students’ Social-Emotional Needs in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Teachers are returning to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic under the weight of unprecedented stressors to engage a student body that has also experienced stress and trauma. In this study, we examined how confident 454 teachers (55% Black) from 41 charter schools in New Orleans, Louisiana, were in their ability to address students’ social-emotional needs upon their return to school. Results showed that Black teachers were more likely to report a greater sense of efficacy in addressing students’ needs. Both Black and White teachers identified the top three resources needed to assist students: mental health supports, trainings, and in-class resources. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Urban Education is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Lessons Learned From a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Virtual Partner Services Technical Assistance Pilot Project to Respond to a Local Syphilis Outbreak.

ABSTRACT: A virtual partner services technical assistance (TA) project was piloted with the Minnesota Department of Health to address an ongoing syphilis outbreak. The TA reduced the health department's disease intervention specialist workload, achieved partner services outcomes comparable with in-person methods, and identified lessons learned to replicate with other jurisdictions.

Distance Learning and Parental Mental Health During COVID-19

As COVID-19 cases continue to increase across the country, there is a concern about the extent to which this pandemic will affect students. Since March 2020, schools transitioned to a distance-learning format, which unintentionally forced parents into new teaching roles as proxy educators. In this brief, we explore the association between distance learning and the mental health of proxy educators. We find that parents with children who struggled with distance learning experienced elevated mental distress. Given the relationship between teacher burnout and student outcomes, we argue the importance of supporting parents during this time to improve students? schooling.