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Dropping out, a phenomenon heavily concentrated in communities of color, hampers the academic success of multicultural students. Multiculturalism can help make school an inviting place for vulnerable youths, and school social workers (SSWRs) are in a position to advocate for school environments that are conducive to academic success. The present study surveyed 339 SSWRs on individual activities that promote a school environment supportive of diversity and the relationship of these activities to school policies. The majority of these SSWRs reported that they engage in activities that promote diversity and multiculturalism. In addition, results indicated SSRWs' perceptions of school policies impacted certain practice behaviors. The relevance of these findings to practice, policy, and research implications for SSWRs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Examines the attempts of preservice teacher education programs in the United States to address family issues. Need for prospective teachers to understand the importance of the family; Mission statements of colleges of Education and Teacher Education programs; Curricula for prospective teachers; Content in courses that appear to address family issues.

The article discusses a report on the link between neonatal deaths and congenital heart defects in the U.S. between 2003 and 2006, published in the 2010 issue of the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report." The report summarized a study which analyzed the causes of neonatal deaths in the country. Such study showed that 4.2 percent of all neonatal deaths are due to congenital heart disease. The report revealed that the overall neonatal mortality rate due to congenital heart defects is not related to race. The limitations of the report are discussed, along with factors that need to be considered for research on neonatal mortality.