Amanda L. Sullivan

Few studies have explored the co-occurrence of housing insecurity and educational disability among preK-12 students. Yet, both are the basis for legal entitlements to educational supports and protections and are often associated with unmet educational needs with far-ranging detriments to students' experiences; functioning; and academic, social, emotional, and health outcomes. This exploratory descriptive study used a state's education and homeless management information systems' data to examine the co-occurrence of disability and housing insecurity among 989,572 preK-12 students enrolled in Minnesota public or charter schools during the 2018-2019 school year. Differences by demographic characteristics and disability type were also explored. Of the students experiencing housing insecurity, 32.3% were identified as having an educational disability. Housing-insecure students were 63% more likely to be identified with a disability than students who did not experience housing insecurity. Students with an educational disability were more likely to be experiencing housing insecurity than those without an educational disability. Most students were identified as housing-insecure only by educational agencies. Patterns of over- and underrepresentation across demographic characteristics and disability categories suggest the need for future research to explore how systemic factors such as marginalization, interagency and interprofessional collaboration, professional preparation, and recent discontinuation of safety net programs may be associated with these youths' educational experiences, needs, and treatment. Findings also suggest that it is important for school psychologists to consider housing in/security when engaging in data-based decision making, student supports, and collaborative practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had global impacts on social interactions and religious activities, leading to a complex relationship between religion and public health policies. This article reviews impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religious activities and beliefs in relation to the spread of the virus, as well as the potential of religious leaders and faith communities in mitigating the impact of the pandemic through public health measures and community engagement.Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, with search terms including “religion,” “COVID-19,” “pandemic,” “coronavirus,” and “spirituality.” We included English articles published between January 2020 and September 2022, focusing on intersection of religion and COVID-19.Results: We identified two main themes emerging, with the selected 32 studies divided in 15 studies focused on the relationship between religious practices, beliefs, and the spread of COVID-19, while 17 studies explored the role of religious leaders and faith communities in coping with and mitigating the impact of COVID-19. Religious activities were found to correlate with virus spread, particularly in early days of the pandemic. The relationship between religiosity and adherence to government guidelines was mixed, with some studies suggesting increased religiosity contributed to misconceptions about the virus and resistance to restrictions. Religious beliefs were also associated with vaccine hesitancy, particularly conservative religious beliefs. On the other hand, religious leaders and communities played a crucial role in adapting to COVID-19 measures, maintaining a sense of belonging, fostering emotional resilience, and upholding compliance with public health measures. The importance of collaboration between religious leaders, institutions, and public health officials in addressing the pandemic was emphasized.Conclusions: This review highlights the essential role of religious leaders, faith-based organizations, and faith communities in promoting education, preparedness, and response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Engaging with religious leaders and communities can improve pandemic control and prevention efforts. Collaboration between religious leaders, governments, and healthcare professionals is necessary to combat vaccine hesitancy and ensure successful COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. The insights from this review can guide future research, policy development, and public health interventions to minimize the impact of the pandemic and improve outcomes for individuals and communities affected.