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This chapter discusses the development of kinship care practice in family-serving agencies. Family-serving agencies are setting goals for kinship care services that embrace a broad and inclusive definition of family, respect family strengths, build upon family resources, and work to support each family's effort to prevent the unnecessary separation of children from their kin. Family members are viewed as collaborative partners in service delivery, and interventions are offered to strengthen the ability of families to care for children.

These are provocative questions that represent the focus on social, economic, and cultural justice issues, challenges, and solutions that were magnified by COVID-19 and herein posed by social work scholar-educatoradvocates for further reflection and a deep dive. Represented in these articles are contents that cut across the lifespan, cultural backgrounds, and communities. As the first of a series of special issues on social justice by Urban Social Work, this issue serves as a platform for a deeper discussion and reflection on issues impacting Black immigrants, supports for students in inner cities, perception of juveniles as victims or delinquents, as well as the necessity of self-care for well-being, particularly given the effects of the recent U.S. presidency.The year 2020, ironically, gave the world a perfect 20/20 vision of age-old as well as emerging social, economic, and cultural issues that plague both people and the planet. With perfect vision, a foundation was laid for global change for people and their natural environment and an opportunity to pivot to an unprecedented way of life. Year 2020 will be remembered in our human history for the devastating coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which highlighted social injustice, inequities, and devastation in densely populated urban centers, rural and remote communities, nationally and abroad. COVID-19 brought to the forefront of global conversations the plight of vulnerable populations, especially people of color and overwhelmed cities that were disproportionately impacted by the invisible threat that both overshadowed and illuminated preexisting social justice challenges based on race, ZIP code, and access to diminishing primary resources.In the center of conversations about the global impacts of the pandemic were the U.S. movements to dismantle structural racism, manage the economic downfall, engage in political elections, and respond to the health crises resulting from COVID-19. In particular, the U.S. presidential election was a daily reminder of the divided sociopolitical climate and divisive policy decisions that have negatively impacted the diverse populations in urban and rural communities across America. Despite the tragedies and crises of 2020, the year 2021 launched with President Joe Biden and

The Autumn Divas study objective was to examine the lived experiences of women of color who achieved doctoral degrees after the age of 50. This study used qualitative methods to reflect the thoughts, feelings and experiences of the participants; the strengths they had in common, the support of family and friends, and the personal, professional, and financial challenges they faced in their respective journeys. This phenomenological study described the meaning of the experience for the participants, as they matriculated through their doctoral programs, explored in three focus group sessions, with nine participants. Results showed that they experienced similar journeys, which led to the advancement of their personal growth, and sought to motivate other women of color. Most participant's pursuit of a doctorate at this time in their lives was a means of self-fulfillment and empowerment. In conclusion, the participants had deferred this goal, but were receptive to new challenges and perspectives, and validated each other's stories in the focus group discussions. Most had a message for the sisters coming behind them: pursue your dreams; make the investment in yourself; be a source of support and wisdom for each other; and contribute to uplifting your community.