Month: March 2013

The school-to-prison pipeline

Even as Gov. Jerry Brown is pushing to decentralize control of California’s public schools, Roger Dickinson and his allies are, on one issue, pushing back. The Democratic assemblyman from Sacramento County wants the state to intervene to reduce the number of students suspended for defying the authority of adults on campus. The problem, according to Dickinson and many others — including a growing number of law enforcement officials — is that many schools are too quick to remove students for acting out. When that happens, it can accelerate a cycle of bad behavior that leads from the classroom to the streets, and eventually to the criminal justice system. It’s known as the school-to-prison pipeline. See Daniel Weintraub’s weekly essay.

Spreading the Word about California’s Health Care Exchange

The Affordable Care Act takes full effect in January 2014 and states, including California, are preparing to implement the signature change of reform: new health care exchanges. The exchanges are intended to make it easier and more affordable for people to purchase insurance – but they won’t work unless the uninsured know how they work. To that end, the state is about to release $43 million in grant money to local agencies to promote the new health exchange.

Changing a community to fight high blood pressure

Can a city lower its own blood pressure? I was inspired to ask that question while seated with a number of medical and health policy luminaries at a recent gala marking the 40th anniversary of the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at UC San Francisco.

Coachella plans for health

This summer, Coachella stands to become the first city in the Coachella Valley to adopt a new general plan that has been re-written with health issues in mind. It’s a preventative approach primarily designed to encourage more physical activity. That translates into more parks, sidewalks, hiking trails and bike lanes that are well-lit and safe. But the city is also trying novel approaches to bring in more medical facilities and attract more employers in general, so families can afford to take some leisure time and get some fresh air.

Immigrants Get Stronger Protections Under Renewed VAWA

Undocumented immigrant victim of domestic violence are often more vulnerable to abuse because of their immigration status, language barriers and lack of finances. But the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which President Obama signed on Thursday, may offer stronger protections for such victims.

Seniors trade skills, build community

Asking for help is often hard for seniors, but it’s getting easier thanks to an innovative web-based program underway in Santa Cruz and cities across the U.S. Time banks let seniors and people of all ages exchange their skills and time for services they need. By sharing their talents, time bank members are knitting together a multigenerational community, building support networks and friendships.

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