NEWS

New Data Emphasizes the Challenges Students Experiencing Homelessness Face in Graduating | Education Leads Home

March 30, 2021 — For the second year in a row, the U.S. Department of Education did not release a national graduation rate for students experiencing homelessness due to missing data from one state. Cohort counts from 49 states and the District of Columbia, however, show a national graduation rate of 67.7 percent, up slightly from 67.5 percent in 2018. Read more.

National High School Graduation Rate Hits Record High of 85.8% | GradNation Campaign

March 23, 2021 — The U.S. Department of Education released data showing the high school graduation rate for the class of 2019 has reached a record high of 85.8%. These new figures show an increase from the previous year’s rate of 85.3% and indicate continued progress toward equity across the country, as rates for students from historically disadvantaged communities increased by more than the national average. Read the press release.

Fireside Chat with Dr. Nunez-Smith | COVID Collaborative

March 23, 2021 — As the Chair of the Biden-Harris Health Equity Task Force, Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith is leading the Administration's important work to to ensure that response, care, and treatment for COVID-19 is distributed equally. Dr. Nunez-Smith joined the COVID Collaborative for a special event to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead on health equity—from vaccine distribution to school reopening to treatments. Watch here.

Willie Nelson & Sports Leagues Team Up with Ad Council & COVID Collaborative

March 23, 2021 — "As an extension of their COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative, "It's Up To You," the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative today announced the launch of a new campaign in partnership with thirteen leading sports leagues and organizations. Highlighting iconic moments in sport and a brand-new recording of "I'll Be Seeing You" performed by Grammy Award-winning musician, Willie Nelson, the videos encourage fans to visit GetVaccineAnswers.org for the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccines." Read the Press Release.

White House Shifts Ad Campaign | CNN Politics

March 19, 2021 — "Reluctance among conservatives to get vaccinated against Covid-19 has caused growing concern inside the White House, according to people familiar with the matter...Bridgeland said [The COVID Collaborative] has helped the White House with a key part of its outreach to conservatives: arming trusted local leaders -- including doctors, religious leaders and others -- with the facts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines." Read here.

Louisiana's Most Under-Vaccinated | New Orleans Public Radio

March 17, 2021 — White people in Louisiana’s parishes that voted most heavily Republican in 2020 are getting vaccinated at lower rates than the rest of the state, a WWNO/WRKF analysis finds, reinforcing concerns that some public health officials are voicing over vaccine hesitancy among people who identify as conservative. “[That correlation] is almost twice as large as if you were Black, Republican, Democrat, Hispanic, or even have an underlying health condition,” said John Bridgeland, founder of the Covid Collective, a group working to reduce vaccine hesitancy. “So, it’s a group that is clearly very hesitant.” Read here.

How To Get Trump Voters Vaccinated When Half Say They Don't Plan To | NPR All Things Considered

March 17, 2021 — Nearly half of Trump voters say they don't plan to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The race is on to find pro-vaccine messaging that connects with vaccine-skeptical white Republicans. "We found - and the White House is very aware - that the largest correlation to vaccine hesitancy is actually being a conservative," said John Bridgeland. Listen here.

As Biden Confronts Vaccine Hesitancy, Republicans Are a Particular Challenge | The New York Times

March 15, 2021 — As President Biden pushes to vaccinate as many Americans as possible, he faces deep skepticism among many Republicans, a group especially challenging for him to persuade. The administration is seeking help in urging Republicans to get inoculated. But the president said he was not sure how much value there was in enlisting his predecessor. Read here.

Biden readies campaign to combat vaccine skeptics | POLITICO

March 15, 2021 — The White House is poised to launch a sweeping new campaign to reduce vaccine hesitancy as the Biden administration barrels ahead with plans to give every American access to Covid shots by May 1, according to three senior officials familiar with the matter. Read here.

Presidential PSAs for Vaccine | Ad Council & COVID Collaborative

March 11, 2021 — Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and First Ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Rosalynn Carter Join the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative's National COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative 

Read the Press Release.