Opinion: Medi-Cal Rate Changes Threaten Mental Health Access

The number of Californians with untreated mental health conditions is increasing.

At its root, the lack of access and insufficient treatment for mental health conditions is driven by declining insurance coverage and low reimbursement rates to providers, according to the author, who urges policymakers to listen to monitor rates to ensure that more Californians can access the care they need.

Analysis: The Power of Storytelling and Why it Matters Now More Than Ever

Health care and disability rights advocates are gearing up to make sure politicians understand that there is no way to cut Medicaid without hurting people who need care. Sharing real people’s stories will be key to that effort.

California Health Report’s disability rights columnist Jennifer McLelland offers her tips on how to tell your family’s story.

How Restorative Justice Helped One Family Move Forward

For one dedicated couple, embracing restorative justice was the first step toward healing their family.

The Contra Costa County Family Justice Center’s CHAT Project has been a beacon of hope, one that has given them the tools they each needed to co-parent effectively while mending their own relationship. By focusing on accountability and communication, the couple have been able to create a safe, stable home for their son.

What Has And Hasn’t Happened in the Year Since San Diego’s Devastating Floods 

About 5,000 San Diego-area residents were impacted by the historic downpour last January that led to dramatic flooding.

Extreme flooding events are becoming more common as the climate warms. But some residents impacted by the disaster insist there is another force that exacerbated the flooding: Decades of government neglect and indifference toward San Diego’s lower income neighborhoods.

Why Emergency Medical Services Are Vital to Our Health Care System

When dialing 911 for a medical emergency, the expectation is clear: Licensed health care providers, typically paramedics and emergency medical technicians, will arrive within minutes at your location, any time of the day or night.

Despite these responsibilities, emergency medical services are often overlooked in health care reform discussions. A compelling opportunity exists to shift lower-acuity and preventive care services from expensive medical clinics and hospitals to community-based EMS care.

Analysis: How Restorative Justice Can Bring Safety and Support to Survivors During the Holidays

For many people, the holidays are an opportunity to come together with family and foster connections and belonging. However, for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, it can be a time of increased abuse, reliving traumatic past events, and not receiving the appropriate supports for safety.

But there are solutions that can help survivors feel supported, as Carolina Morales explains.

Analysis: As a Former Attorney for Violence Survivors, Here’s Why Restorative Justice Gives Me Hope

Barbara Schmitz’s early experiences as an attorney helping survivors of domestic violence file for restraining orders opened her eyes to the impacts the carceral systems can have on families looking for emotional or mental health support.

In this essay, Schmitz reminds us of the Indigenous roots of restorative justice techniques and makes the case for using restorative justice models in schools. 

Analysis: How I Turned from Violence to Healing and Reconciliation

Twenty-seven years ago, Devon Gaster was in jail, but had started down a path that would change his life forever.

Devon’s experience healing himself and his family through restorative justice has taught him that being accountable taking responsibility makes it possible to heal and change. With the right tools and support, Gaster writes, men can learn about intimate partner violence and stop their abuse.

How Rural Communities Can Fill Care Gaps for Children with Disabilities

Amidst a nationwide shortage of pediatric specialists, families caring for children with special health care needs in rural areas are often forced to travel long distances for care.

Physicians and parents agree that on top of bringing more specialists to rural areas, increasing the flow of information between agencies and making travel reimbursements easier to attain would ease some of this burden on families.

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