AIR Informs: Responding to the Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Image of AIR Informs logoAIR takes an evidence-based approach to its research, evaluation, training, and technical assistance work on a daily basis. For our latest podcast series, AIR Informs, AIR experts explore the different ways the coronavirus pandemic is affecting our lives and how we can address the challenges it presents.

Episode #1: Focusing on Facts and Evidence During a Health Crisis, with Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar
Episode #2: Opportunities for Learning and Development in Out-of-School Time, with Deb Moroney
Episode #3: The Science of Safe, Supportive Learning at Home, with David Osher
Episode #4: Communities of Practice During COVID-19, with Melissa Rasberry and Marshal Conley
Episode #5: The Economics of the Coronavirus for People with Disabilities, with Michelle Yin
Episode #6: Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities During COVID-19, with Allison Gandhi
Episode #7: The Real Unemployment Rate and Workplace After COVID-19, with Irma Perez-Johnson
Episode #8: Supporting the Foster Care Community During COVID-19, with Ann-Marie Faria

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Episode #8: Supporting the Foster Care Community During COVID-19

Image of Ann-Marie FariaThe foster care system was already overburdened before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now, it faces even more challenges. In this episode of AIR Informs, early childhood expert and licensed foster mom Ann-Marie Faria discusses these challenges and potential ways to address them.

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Episode #7: The Real Unemployment Rate and Workplace After COVID-19

Image of Irma Perez-JohnsonThe U.S. Department of Labor estimates that 23 million to 24 million people in the U.S. lost their jobs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. In this episode of AIR Informs, Irma Perez-Johnson explains why the U.S. Department of Labor’s unemployment statistics may not capture the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the workforce; why an accurate count matters; and what the road to economic recovery may look like.

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Episode #6: Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities During COVID-19

Image of Allison GandhiRemote learning requires adjustment for all students, but students with disabilities face additional challenges during the COVID-19 quarantine. In this episode of AIR Informs, Allison Gandhi describes some of these obstacles, as well as strategies to help students, schools, and families make the most of this time.

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Episode #5: The Economics of the Coronavirus for People with Disabilities

Image of Michelle YinThe coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone, but people with disabilities will likely feel the effects more than people without. AIR economist Michelle Yin explains factors that make this population especially vulnerable—and discusses how the pandemic has the potential to shift all workplaces to be more inclusive and flexible.

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Episode #4: Communities of Practice During COVID-19

Image of Marshal ConleyImage of Melissa RasberryEven though the coronavirus pandemic has pushed interaction, learning, and professional development to online environments, that doesn’t mean these activities can’t be just as effective as they would be in person. In this episode of AIR Informs, Melissa Rasberry and Marshal Conley discuss communities of practice and how they can help teachers connect.

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Episode #3: The Science of Safe, Supportive Learning at Home

Image of David OsherWith so many children now participating in online or distance learning during the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever to have a safe, supportive learning environment at home to help with students’ academic success and well-being. AIR Vice President and Institute Fellow David Osher explains the science of learning and development, as well as how parents can create this environment at home while their children are away from school.

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Episode #2: Opportunities for Learning and Development in Out-of-School Time

Image of Deb MoroneyWhile schools are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic, out-of-school time programs and employees continue to support students and provide child care—especially for parents who can’t work from home—while still complying with local policies and practicing social distancing. AIR managing director and youth development expert Deborah Moroney shares what parents should know about out-of-school time programs and resources to support students while they’re not in school.

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Episode #1: Focusing on Facts and Evidence During a Health Crisis

Image of Elizabeth Salisbury-AfsharWith the major changes the coronavirus (COVID-19) has forced people across the world to address, it can be hard to cut through the noise to find reliable, evidence-based information. Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, a practicing physician, researcher, and director of the AIR Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions (AIR CARES), provides some insights for navigating the crisis while avoiding a sense of panic.

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