Vulnerable Families Research Articles

Adaptation des soins et télémédecine en période de confinement et de pandémie de COVID-19 : retour d’expérience d’une Maison des Adolescents

BackgroundThe COVID-19 sanitary crisis has imposed a major reorganization of the health care system in France. Lockdown could be a factor in the emergence or deterioration of psychological disorders; it can be even more fragilizing during the specific period of adolescence. The « Maisons des Adolescents » (Teenagers’ Houses) had to urgently adjust their practices to provide continuity of care for adolescents suffering from physical or mental disorders. The « Maisons des Adolescents » are pluridisciplinary care centres for adolescents and their families that provide assessments and services for medical, psychological, socio-educational, educational and legal needs. How did care continue for adolescents during lockdown? What adjustments occurred in the « Maisons des Adolescents » during the health crisis? MethodsThis article presents the case of an adolescent who suffered a significant deterioration of her anorexia nervosa during confinement. Through this case, we describe the reorganization of care within the different units (consultations - day hospital - hospitalization unit) of a Parisian « Maison des Adolescents » during the COVID-19 pandemic. FindingsIn this service, the rapid implementation of the telemedicine system in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic made possible provision of continuity in care for vulnerable adolescents and families. Based on the existing literature, we discuss the advantages and limitations of telemedicine and the practical issues for the future organization of care for adolescents. PerspectivesIn contrast to pediatric medicine or child psychiatry, there is no protocol describing the application of telemedicine in adolescent medicine and psychiatry. There is an urgent need for further evaluation of the use of telemedicine for this population. This kind of research will improve knowledge about the effectiveness, acceptability and limitations of using a teleconsultation device in adolescent psychiatry in a crisis context. Certain remote care modalities implemented during the sanitary crisis could thus be maintained over time and become routine in the field of adolescent medicine and psychiatry.

Rapid Reconfiguration of Paediatric Services in a District General Hospital During COVID-19, Addressing Challenges, and Seeing Opportunities

The scale, speed, and impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic disruption to healthcare services has been unprecedented, placing significant additional pressures on the National Health Service (NHS). COVID-19 presented exceptional challenges to vulnerable families and is placing increasing pressure on children’s services. The child population does not seem to have been severely impacted by COVID-19; however, some will require hospital care in addition to the current caseload. It is imperative that steps are taken to ensure continued delivery of urgent and emergency paediatric services and the associated maternity and neonatal services at local levels throughout the pandemic. A rapid reconfiguration of services was necessary when the pandemic reached the NHS. Healthcare services had to rethink how to deliver care in the short and medium term, better preparing them for future demands and ensuring that safe and effective care was maintained.

Experiences of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic: descriptive findings from a survey of families in the Born in Bradford study

Background: Lockdown measures implemented to contain the Covid-19 virus have increased health inequalities, with families from deprived and ethnically diverse backgrounds most likely to be adversely affected. This paper describes the experiences of families living in the multi-ethnic and deprived city of Bradford, England. Methods: A wave of survey data collection using a combination of email, text and phone with postal follow-up during the first Covid-19 UK lockdown (10th April to 30 th June 2020) with parents participating in two longitudinal studies. Cross tabulations explored variation by ethnicity and financial insecurity. Text from open questions was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Of 7,652 families invited, 2,144 (28%) participated. The results presented are based on the 2,043 (95%) mothers’ responses: 957 (47%) of whom were of Pakistani heritage, 715 (35%) White British and 356 (18%) other ethnicity 971 (46%) lived in the most deprived decile of material deprivation in England. and 738 (37%) were financially insecure. Many families lived in poor quality (N=574, 28%), overcrowded (N=364, 19%) housing. Food (N=396, 20%), employment (N=728, 37%) and housing (N=204, 10%) insecurities were common, particularly in those who were furloughed, self-employed not working or unemployed. Clinically important depression and anxiety were reported by 372 (19%) and 318 (16%) mothers. Ethnic minority and financially insecure families had a worse experience during the lockdown across all domains, with the exception of mental health which appeared worse in White British mothers. Open text responses corroborated these findings and highlighted high levels of anxiety and fear about Covid-19. Conclusions: There is a need for policy makers and commissioners to better support vulnerable families during and after the pandemic. Future work will use longitudinal data from before the pandemic, and from future surveys during the pandemic, to describe trajectories and the long-term consequences of the pandemic on vulnerable populations.

Children’s Coverage Vulnerabilities With Loss of a Parent’s Employer-Sponsored Insurance

* Abbreviations: ACA — : Affordable Care Act COVID-19 — : coronavirus disease ESI — : employer-sponsored insurance FPL — : federal poverty level In addition to the devastating health effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the United States is experiencing the highest rates of unemployment since the Great Depression.1 One important and overlooked consequence of unemployment is the loss of employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) coverage for children whose parents lose their jobs. It is estimated 27 million US adults will become uninsured because of unemployment and lose ESI during the pandemic.2 During the pandemic, >4 out of 10 parents with children <19 years old reported they or a family member lost a job, work hours, or work-related income, which is slightly more than for childless adults.3 Two out of 5 adults in newly unemployed households reported having obtained their health insurance coverage from that employer. More than half of US children are covered by ESI,4 including 49% of children with preexisting conditions who have special health care needs.5 For lower-income and minority families, this loss of ESI during the COVID-19 pandemic will likely intensify already existing health disparities for children. Unemployment during the pandemic has differentially affected low-income and minority populations in the US. Children of low-wage workers are at risk for resulting coverage loss, including the 25% of children from families with incomes <138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) … Address correspondence to Lois K. Lee, MD, MPH, Division of Emergency Medicine, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail: lois.lee{at}childrens.harvard.edu

Supporting Head Start Employee Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is impacting many aspects of individual, family and community life. This is especially true for vulnerable children and families, such as those served by Head Start. Added emotional and socioeconomic pressure on families during the pandemic has put disadvantaged children at higher risk for adverse home events, mental health symptoms and long-term developmental consequences.1,2 Head Start programs, which began in 1965, were developed to mitigate the effects of economic disadvantage by supporting the cognitive, social, psychological and educational development of vulnerable children.3,4 Early childhood intervention programs involve a comprehensive array of educational and psychosocial supports which depend on the work of the early childhood workforce.4 The recent implementation of COVID-19 social distancing guidelines has created numerous personal and work-place challenges, resulting in significant stress on the essential workers at Head Start.

Child Psychiatry Training During COVID-19: Impact on Clinical Care, Education, and Fellow Well-Being

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered all aspects of personal and professional life, including how we practice psychiatry and teach trainees. This article presents and explores the challenges faced by child and adolescent psychiatry program directors in addressing the educational needs of fellows amidst this international crisis. The challenges presented by the pandemic to program directors include prioritizing fellow safety and education while ensuring quality treatment for our vulnerable patients and families. Amidst these difficulties, and remaining mindful of fellow wellbeing, program directors work to preserve communication and connection through transitioning in-person clinical care to telepsychiatry and live teaching onto remote platforms. This article addresses these current issues while reflecting on the future of child psychiatry training as programs prepare for subsequent stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Infant Mother’s Experiences with the Sustained Nurse Home-Visiting Program

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of mothers of infants who received sustained nurse home visiting services. The program of sustained home visit by nurses (Seoul Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting Program) is an intervention program. Its effectiveness has been verified in Australia, where services are provided to families in a vulnerable families during the period from prenatal period until the newborn is 2 years old.Methods: The study protocol used qualitative approaches. Eleven mothers of infants who received nursing services in December 2015 were invited for an in-depth interview. The data collected were subjected to directed content analysis.Results: The following 4 themes were identified from the analysis: (1) reduction in suspicion and increased feeling of benefit from the visiting service, (2) emotional support to the parents and use of community resources, (3) reliance on friendly nurses, and (4) gaining confidence about parenting and motherhood.Conclusion: Sustained nursing home visiting services can be applied effectively in South Korea. The concrete narrations and descriptions of the experiences of mothers in this study can be used as a base for education, practice, and research.

Single Parents in Indonesia: How to Carry Out the Practice of the Eight Family Functions?

A single parent’s phenomenon as a vulnerable family is commonly found in Indonesia with an increasing number from year to year. This study aimed to see the profile of a single parent in Indonesia and the implementation of family functions. A quantitative approach through secondary data analysis from the 2019 Program Accountability Performance Survey Family Module was used in this research. Processing and data analysis were carried out descriptively using cross-tabulation and chi-square correlation tests. The results showed a picture of a single parent in Indonesia that require special attention, namely single mothers due to a divorce, age group of 31–50 years, have many children, have low education, moderate economic status, have a job, live in urban areas, and most of them are in Java. The practice of implementing family functions is still deficient in single parent. Based on its characteristics, only the level of education, wealth, work status, and knowledge of family functions were positively and significantly related to the practice of family function in single parent. This study recommends the need for strategies in optimizing the implementation of family functions in single parent, namely socialization and strengthening of family functions, mainly reproductive functions, by prioritizing the description of a single parent in Indonesia that require special attention.

Disturbance and predation risk influence vigilance synchrony of black-necked cranes Grus nigricollis, but not as strongly as expected.

Animals monitor surrounding dangers independently or cooperatively (synchronized and coordinated vigilance), with independent and synchronized scanning being prevalent. Coordinated vigilance, including unique sentinel behavior, is rare in nature, since it is time‐consuming and limited in terms of benefits. No evidence showed animals adopt alternative vigilance strategies during antipredation scanning yet. Considering the nonindependent nature of both synchronization and coordination, we assessed whether group members could keep alert synchronously or in a coordinated fashion under different circumstance. We studied how human behavior and species‐specific variables impacted individual and collective vigilance of globally threatened black‐necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) and explored behavior‐based wildlife management. We tested both predation risk (number of juveniles in group) and human disturbance (level and distance) effects on individual and collective antipredation vigilance of black‐necked crane families. Adults spent significantly more time (proportion and duration) on scanning than juveniles, and parents with juveniles behaved more vigilant. Both adults and juveniles increased time allocation and duration on vigilance with observer proximity. Deviation between observed and expected collective vigilance varied with disturbance and predation risk from zero, but not significantly so, indicating that an independent vigilance strategy was adopted by black‐necked crane couples. The birds showed synchronized vigilance in low disturbance areas, with fewer juveniles and far from observers; otherwise, they scanned in coordinated fashion. The collective vigilance, from synchronized to coordinated pattern, varied as a function of observer distance that helped us determine a safe distance of 403.75 m for the most vulnerable family groups with two juveniles. We argue that vigilance could constitute a prime indicator in behavior‐based species conservation, and we suggesting a safe distance of at least 400 m should be considered in future tourist management.

Protecting the American Dream: a Pediatric Imperative.

* Abbreviations: AAP — : American Academy of Pediatrics VVN — : Vital Village Network The American dream is a fundamental ethos of the nation passed from generation to generation. In 1931, James Truslow Adams coined the term as “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone.” Most Americans across all incomes still believe their children and grandchildren will achieve the American dream.1 Yet, in reality, it is out of most children’s reach. The American dream is intrinsically tied to the capacity for upward mobility, whereby children can grow up to surpass their parent’s income level. The groundbreaking work of Harvard Professor of Public Economics Dr Raj Chetty reveals that there is less upward mobility in the United States today than at any other time, likely because of lower overall economic growth and greater inequality in its distribution. Specifically, Chetty et al2 found that, since 1940, the fraction of children who earn more than their parents has fallen from >90% to ∼50%. However, the decline in the American dream is not equally distributed across the United States. Chetty et al3 has revealed great variation in upward mobility, with significant differences even among neighborhoods within the same city. Higher–upward-mobility areas are associated with less residential segregation and income inequality and greater … Address correspondence to Arvin Garg, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655. E-mail: Arvin.Garg{at}umassmemorial.org

Demographic Variation in Military Life Stress and Perceived Support Among Military Spouses.

Military spouses play a critical role in supporting military service members, and thus, their experiences may have a significant impact on the well-being, readiness, and resilience of the U.S. Armed Forces. Research suggests that military spouses experience unique stressors as a result of military life, but few studies have assessed demographic factors associated with their experiences of military life and perceived support. Using data from the Millennium Cohort Family Study, a nationwide survey of 9,872 married spouses of service members with 2 to 5 years of military service, this study examined differences in experiences of military life and perceived support across multiple understudied subgroups of military spouses. Key outcomes included military-related stressors (e.g., deployment-related experiences), perceived social support, and perceived military efforts to provide support. Military life stress and perceived support differed across military spouse, service member, and family characteristics. Results indicated that spouses who are older than age 35 or are married to enlisted service members in the Army, Navy, or Marines are more likely to experience heightened military stress or less perceived social support. Dual-military couples reported experiencing less stress associated with military life and perceiving more social support and support from the military, compared with spouses who have never served in the military. These findings may help guide effective channeling of resources and outreach to potentially vulnerable military families.

A multidisciplinary approach to identify priority areas for the monitoring of a vulnerable family of fishes in Spanish Marine National Parks

BackgroundSyngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) are flagship species strongly associated with seaweed and seagrass habitats. Seahorses and pipefishes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently Data Deficient according to the IUCN (2019), requiring more biological and ecological research. This study provides the first insights into syngnathid populations in the two marine Spanish National Parks (PNIA—Atlantic- and PNAC—Mediterranean). Fishes were collected periodically, marked, morphologically identified, analysed for size, weight, sex and sexual maturity, and sampled for stable isotope and genetic identification. Due the scarcity of previous information, habitat characteristics were also assessed in PNIA.ResultsSyngnathid diversity and abundance were low, with two species identified in PNIA (Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus acus) and four in PNAC (S. abaster, S. acus, S. typhle and Nerophis maculatus). Syngnathids from both National Parks (NP) differed isotopically, with much lower δ15N in PNAC than in PNIA. The dominant species were S. abaster in PNAC and S. acus in PNIA. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages in PNIA and Cymodocea meadows in PNAC. The occurrence of very large specimens, the absence of small-medium sizes and the isotopic comparison with a nearby population suggest that the population of Syngnathus acus (the dominant syngnathid in PNIA) mainly comprised breeders that migrate seasonally. Mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence variants were detected for H. guttulatus, S. acus, and S. abaster, and a novel 16S rDNA haplotype was obtained in N. maculatus. Our data suggest the presence of a cryptic divergent mitochondrial lineage of Syngnathus abaster species in PNAC.ConclusionsThis is the first multidisciplinary approach to the study of syngnathids in Spanish marine NPs. Habitat preferences and population characteristics in both NPs differed. Further studies are needed to assess the occurrence of a species complex for S. abaster, discarding potential misidentifications of genus Syngnathus in PNAC, and evaluate migratory events in PNIA. We propose several preferential sites in both NPs for future monitoring of syngnathid populations and some recommendations for their conservation.

Vulnerable families and costly formula: a qualitative exploration of infant formula purchasing among peri-urban Peruvian households

BackgroundSubstantial evidence exists surrounding the health risks of breast milk substitutes (BMS) in place of exclusive breastfeeding among infants < 6 months of age in resource-poor settings. Yet, mothers’ experiences of selecting and purchasing BMS brands have not been well studied to date. This qualitative study explored the factors influencing BMS purchasing practices, along with the consequences of those decisions, in peri-urban Lima, Peru.MethodsWe conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 29 mothers who had begun mixed-feeding their infants during the first 6 months of life. Interviews explored participants’ reasons for initiating infant formula use and their experiences of selecting, purchasing, and providing BMS to their children. Audio recordings were transcribed, coded, and key themes and illustrative vignettes were identified.ResultsThe primary reported reasons for initiating infant formula use included having received a recommendation for infant formula from a healthcare provider, concerns about an infant’s weight gain, and the perception of insufficient breast milk. Mothers tended to initially purchase the BMS brand that had been recommended by a doctor, which was often more expensive than the alternatives. The costs of BMS, which escalated as infants grew, often disrupted the household economy and generated significant stress. While some mothers identified alternatives allowing them to continue purchasing the same brand, others chose to switch to less expensive products. Several mothers began to feed their infants follow-on formula or commercial milk, despite their awareness that such practices were not recommended for infants under 6 months of age. The approval of family members and the absence of an infant’s immediate adverse reaction influenced mothers’ decisions to continue purchasing these products.ConclusionsThe high costs of BMS may deepen existing socio-economic vulnerabilities and generate new risks for infant health. The continued dedication of resources towards breastfeeding education and support is critical, and strategies would benefit from underscoring the long-term financial and health consequences of infant formula use, and from strengthening women’s self-efficacy to refuse to initiate infant formula when recommended. In addition, health providers should be trained in counseling to help women to relactate or return to exclusive breastfeeding after cessation.

The value added of attachment theory, research, and intervention for US child care and early childhood education: Reflecting and carrying forward the legacy of Edward Zigler.

Edward Zigler pioneered and insisted upon the integration of science, practice, and policy development to support vulnerable children and families, reduce poverty, and improve US wellbeing, writ large. His far-reaching scholarship in turn critically shaped developmental science and US policy in multiple areas. This review reflects upon Zigler's influence on US child care, Head Start, Early Head Start, and prekindergarten programs. It describes the integration of one major area of developmental science, the field of attachment theory, research, and intervention, with US child care and early childhood education programs and policy. The integration of attachment into these systems not only epitomizes Zigler's overarching canon but also has improved services and advanced attachment theory and research. Throughout the review, I suggest next steps for leveraging attachment theory, research, and intervention to improve US child care and early childhood education systems in ways that both reflect and carry forward the legacy of Edward Zigler.

Pathways to Adolescent Emotional and Behavioral Problems: An Examination of Maternal Depression and Harsh Parenting

BackgroundMaternal depression is linked with a range of child and adolescent outcomes. Prior research suggests adverse consequences for child and youth development, but less is known about the role of adverse parenting in the pathways from maternal depression to adolescent emotional and behavioral problems. ObjectiveThe present study leveraged a large, longitudinal survey of families across the U.S. to investigate whether harsh parenting mediated the links between maternal depression and adolescent delinquency and depression. Participants and settingData came from a national longitudinal survey of families with children born in large U.S. cities 1998-2000 in which mothers had at least partial custody of children (N = 2,719). MethodsStructural equation modeling with latent variables estimated a measurement model using confirmatory factor analysis and a structural model testing direct and indirect pathways. ResultsMaternal depression was directly associated with both physical and psychological aggression in parenting (β = 0.08, p < 0.001 and β = 0.12, p < 0.001, respectively), and psychological aggression related directly with adolescent delinquency (β = 0.24, p < 0.01). Furthermore, maternal depression was indirectly associated with adolescent delinquency via psychological aggression in parenting (β = 0.03, p < 0.05). Physical aggression in parenting did not mediate links between maternal depression and either adolescent outcome. ConclusionsFindings provide insights into the parent-level drivers of adolescent emotional and behavioral outcomes. Screening for maternal depression and providing parenting support to vulnerable families offers promise for preventing adverse parenting and supporting healthy adolescent development.

Therapeutic Interventions with Families of Breast Cancer Survivors

ABSTRACT A breast cancer diagnosis presents daunting challenges and disruptions to everyday life for family members and caregivers of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Particularly critical to families are their coping mechanisms, patterns of resiliency, and resource availability to navigate such a transformational experience. Family therapy and family therapists can introduce vulnerable families to a variety of clinical interventions that can be helpful in reducing the distress engendered by a breast cancer diagnosis. This manuscript describes clinical dynamics, considerations, and interventions that can be utilized with families of breast cancer survivors. Implications for practice, limitations, and ideas for future research are discussed.

«Slike mødre»: Barnevernets stigmatisering av sårbare familier i dagens Russland

Abstract in English“That kind of mother”: Stigmatisation by the Russian child protection servicesHow does stigma influence the extent to which the child protection services in Russia undertake preventative work with vulnerable families in order to avoid taking the child out the family? Based on an analysis of previous research and my own fieldwork from St. Petersburg and Moscow, I note the gap between expectations towards vulnerable families, and their actual living conditions and potential for meeting these expectations. This gap results in a stigmatising categorisation of families who find themselves marginalised as neblagopolutsjnye – socially disadvantaged. Although Russia’s officially ‘family-oriented’ child protection system is expected to base its work on objective methods, stigmatisation influences the decisions of social workers, making the system risk-oriented in practice. This is due to little or inadequate specialised education among social workers, resulting in the strong presence of the human factor: subjective, non-professional evaluations are made. With scant intersectional cooperation among state actors, there is little space to counteract or modify subjective evaluations. Thus, stigmatisation serves to limit the extent to which vulnerable families in Russia receive help, thus creating and upholding ‘social orphanhood’.

An Equity Imbalance in Australian Children&amp;Apos;S Access to Healthcare: Quantifying the Health Service Use and Costs for Children Born into Vulnerable Families

Background: Being born into a vulnerable family (at risk of becoming or remaining poor) is a significant risk factor for childhood poverty, impairing a child’s start to life and perpetuating intergenerational cycles of poverty. This study sought to understand equity in Australian children’s access to health services by quantifying health service utilisation, costs and funding distribution amongst children born into vulnerable compared to non-vulnerable families. Methods: This study used a large linked administrative dataset for all women giving birth in Queensland, Australia between July 2012 and July 2018. Health service use included inpatient, Emergency Department (ED), General Practice (GP), specialist, pathology and diagnostic imaging services. Costs included those paid by public hospital funders, private health insurers, Medicare and out-of-pocket costs. Findings: Vulnerable children comprised 34.1% of the study cohort. Compared to non-vulnerable children, they accessed significantly higher average numbers of inpatient (0·83±2·06 vs 0·80±2·01) and ED (2·52±3·63 vs 1·97±2·77) services during the first five years of life, and significantly lower average numbers of GP, specialist, pathology, and diagnostic imaging services. Vulnerable children incurred significantly greater costs to public hospital funders compared to non-vulnerable children over the first five years of life ($8,274 vs $7,063), and significantly lower private health insurer, Medicare and out-of-pocket costs. Interpretation: There are clear inequities in vulnerable children’s access to health services in Australia. Greater examination of the uptake and cost-effectiveness of maternal and child services is needed, as these services support children’s development in the critical first 1,000 days of life. Funding: None to declare. Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: This study received ethical approval from the Townsville Hospital and Health Services Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (HREC/16/QTHS/223), and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare HREC (EO2017-1-338). Public Health Act approval was also obtained (RD007377).

Epidemiological and Clinical Profile of Healthcare Providers Affected With Covid-19 at Civil Hospital; Medicity Campus; Ahmedabad; Gujarat

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has spread globally at a rapid pace, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Healthcare providers are especially vulnerable to infection with important implications. There might be adverse effects on their health, they could transmit the infection to vulnerable patients, family contacts and other staff if not quickly isolated and high rates of infection could cause problems due to health system manpower shortage.&#x0D; Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted where a preformed semi-structured questionnaire was sent using Google forms. A total of 311 healthcare providers were sent the form out of which 161 responded. Analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2019 and Google Forms.&#x0D; Result: 75.16% healthcare providers always wore PPE, 11.18% wore it as per duty requirements and 13.66% used mask and sanitizer in non Covid duty areas. They were infected even with use of protective measures. 14.91% reported having co morbidities. Hypertension 8.7% followed by Diabetes 4.96% was the commonest. A significant association was present between sex and work profile of respondents with hospital admission.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our study data can be used for making appropriate management strategies. Training should be provided in infection prevention control practices. Duty schedule should be designed so as to evenly distribute duties.

Effects of COVID-19 imposed school closure on school feeding program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The school feeding program in government schools in Addis Ababa was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study employed a qualitative research to explore the effects of the interruption on students' well-being. The study participants were recruited from seven primary schools within six sub-cities of Addis Ababa using convenience sampling. Fifty-three in-depth interviews were conducted with students, parents, teachers, school principals, and school feeding agency officials. Thematic analysis was then conducted. The study found that the school feeding program has indeed improved school attendance and in class concentration; helped decrease lateness and dropout; reduced child labour and abuse; and taken off parent's burden. The interruption of the program has dire consequences on students' well-being, and their parents. Some effects this study finds troubling are: food shortage; skipping meals; eating poor quality food; eating reduced portion size; and children being subject to child abuse and child labour for menial activities. Effective use of available resources through existing channels, such as the food banks and the urban safety net program, and encouraging innovative ideas, including the ‘Each One Feed One’ initiative, would help vulnerable children and families survive during the pandemic.