The Weekly Connect 02/02/2026

The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry: Positive Affect as a Developmental Mediator of Early Adversity and Internalizing Psychopathology
Early life adversities (ELAs), which include experiences like abuse and neglect, are linked to mental health disorders. The present study examined whether positive affect (e.g., feelings of joy, energy, and excitement) can mitigate the relationship between ELAs and mental health diagnoses. Utilizing data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, the researchers measured children’s positive affect six times between ages 9-10 and 12-13. Results indicate that as experiences of adversity increase, the likelihood of having high or stable positive affect decreases. Specifically, children with consistently low positive affect were more likely to have depression and anxiety after experiencing early adversity. This relationship was only consistent for ELA and internalizing behaviors (e.g., anxiety and depression), but not externalizing behaviors (e.g., conduct issues and aggression). Further research should investigate the sample’s outliers who experienced ELA while maintaining a high level of positive affect. 

The Brookings Institution: A New Direction for Students in an AI World: Prosper, Prepare, Protect
The Brookings Institution released a report on the impact of AI on student learning. Through consultations with 500 families, educators, and technologists, a review of 400 studies, and a Delphi panel, the report concluded that the risks of using AI in children’s education outweigh the benefits. While well-designed AI technology can support children by adapting to individualized needs and optimizing teacher support, the researchers found six areas where AI affects student learning: impacts on cognitive development, social-emotional development, student safety, and autonomy, as well as lowering trust in education, and deepening equity divides. The report recommends 12 steps school districts and technology creators can take to improve learning in schools and mitigate the negative impacts of AI, including “use AI tools that teach, not tell,” and design educational AI technology centered around positive mental health for children. 

K-12 Dive: How a California District Embraces Student-Centered Counseling
A recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles Center for the Transformation of Schools measured the impact of their comprehensive school counseling program on school climate and student outcomes. The case study focused on the Livingston Union School District in California, which serves a predominantly Hispanic and low-income student population in a rural setting. The school uses a student-centered, data-driven model based on the American School Counseling Association framework. Their program lowers the student-to-counselor ratio from the national average of 400:1 to 200:1 and requires at least 80% of counselors’ time be spent directly serving students. The counseling department also visits each classroom six times per year to discuss academic topics, college and career readiness, and social-emotional learning. Following the intervention, suspension and chronic absenteeism rates improved, with many students reporting feeling a sense of belonging and academic motivation. 

MPR News: Kids, Staff, Parents Detained: How Federal Activity in Minnesota is Affecting Schools and Students
In Minnesota, families and school staff have been increasingly impacted by the activity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. In districts with federal activity, approximately 20-40% of students have been absent, many because they or their families are worried about encountering federal officers. Hispanic students and families are the most affected, with higher absentee rates. The Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts have cancelled classes in recent weeks and are working to transition many students to online learning. There have been reports of students, families, and school staff detained on school grounds. School parking lots and bus stops have been used for enforcement activities. Maintaining accurate communications with families has become a challenge for school leaders, both because of the volume of incidents and because some social media reports were untrue or exaggerated, while others accurately reflected activities impacting the school community. 
See also: When ICE Comes to School: How Teachers and Students Are Adapting to Trump’s Immigration Crackdown 

Houston Public Media: Families Can Soon Apply For Texas’ $1 Billion School Voucher Program. Here’s How it Works
In May, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the voucher program into law, which puts taxpayer dollars into education savings accounts for families who want to enroll their children outside of the public school system. Families will be able to start applying to the new program on February 4th. Participating families will receive $10,000 per student each year, with homeschooled students receiving $2,000, and students with disabilities receiving up to $30,000. While the program is open to all students, state officials will move to a lottery system if applications exceed available funding. Money can be used for education-related expenses, such as private school tuition, meals, uniforms, and transportation costs. The program is not finalized, as private school partners have not been fully identified, and education experts want to know how educational quality will be assessed. Critics of the program are concerned about the impact of declining enrollment on public schools and the high cost of the $1 billion program.

The Hechinger Report: Infants and Toddlers Are a Growing Group Among Homeless Children
The number of homeless infants and toddlers across the United States has increased by 23% compared to 2021. The number may be even higher, as the study might not capture “hidden homeless” children living with family, friends, or in a hotel who may not be counted until they start school. The rising cost of baby supplies, child care, and cost of living, as well as increases in maternal mental health challenges, may all contribute to the high rates of homelessness. Research has found that young children are significantly impacted by being homeless; they are often behind in language development, literacy, and self-regulation skills compared to their peers. They are also at an increased risk of long-term health and learning challenges. Their unique needs have led organizations to create programs with a “two-generation approach.” For example, Horizons for Homeless Children’s early learning program in Boston, Massachusetts, implements trauma-informed care practices for children and support classes for parents. 

Chalkbeat: How This School Chef is Building Healthy Habits One Vegetable at a Time
Students at Circle City Prep in Indianapolis, Indiana, benefit from fresh meals made by their lead chef, Tracey Couillard, and her team of six. With Couillard’s background in restaurants, she creates recipes to cook with produce that might be new to students. The school’s kitchen is a Next Course Cafeteria, a program run by A Longer Table, which makes sure that the 430 students have access to scratch-made meals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and daily salads. The meals have made children more willing to try new foods, and students have asked to share recipes with their families. Couillard has also been able to build relationships with students as she “let[s] them share their feelings because there are a lot of big feelings between kindergarten and eighth grade.” In the future, Couillard hopes to have a hydroponic garden in the cafeteria so “kids could see this is what is actually nourishing our bodies.”