An ad hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine will conduct a study on the consequences of and solutions to the long-term effects of COVID-19 on children living in high-risk communities. The committee will focus specifically on the physical and mental health of children and their caregivers. Information and data will be collected from a broad set of sources and may include a virtual public information-gathering session, input from those collecting real-time data on the health and mental health impacts of the virus (e.g. RAPID-EC), and review of the national responses of other countries that have been effective in their response to children and families. The committee will produce an independent report aimed at health and mental health practitioners and policy-makers. The committee will address issues including, but not limited to, the following:
1. What policies and programs, including those affecting early childhood care and education, are necessary to address the developmental, emotional, behavioral, and physical health needs of children in high-risk communities to promote child health and well-being in the long-term? What was learned during the pandemic that informs these approaches?
2. What was learned during the pandemic about promising practices to support parent and caregiver well-being?
3. What policies (e.g., child care, health care, etc.) and practices can work to address disparities and inequities experienced by communities of color following a pandemic?