Weekly Updates

 

July 19th, 2012  Vol. 2. Issue 27                             

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Dear Community, 

 

This week's "Special Reports on Regional Change" section focuses on a new report by the Applied Research Center looking at "good food" movements and farmworker movements, and the possibility for collaboration between the two objectives to combat racial discrimination in labor and health issues throughout the state.

The report ends with several key recommendations for those who would like to pursue this type of partnership, including fostering collaborative leadership for the most negatively impacted in the food chain, and supporting the formation of multiracial coalitions between both movements. For more information about this report, please read bellow.

 

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In This Issue
CRC Activities
Regional Change in the News
Special Reports on Regional Change
Upcoming Events
Requests for Proposals
Jobs & Employment Opportunities
CRC Activities

The Center recently updated content in its Youth Story Map, a collaborative partnership of the UC Davis Center for Regional Change, Sierra Health Foundation and The California Endowment. 

The map now includes new information on two initiatives: the Youth block reports from Building Healthy Communities, South Sacramento Project and the 2012 Youth Media Forum. A special thanks to Healthy City for adding new media to the map. To read more about these initiatives, click here.
Regional Change in the News

A new study by several UC Davis faculty members shows that patients trust doctors but still choose to use the Internet as a means to inform themselves. This new trend falls in line with an increased use of Internet information for all aspects of life, and should come as a relief to doctors. The study also finds that online health information does not replace traditional source of information, like reference books, friends, and health news reports. To read this report, click here

   

Last month, the U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a resolution to replicate the SEIU-United Healthcare Workers-West Let's Get Healthy California campaign in other cities throughout the U.S. The California campaign set in place a 10-year plan to improve the health of Californians through prevention and wellness strategies aimed at combating chronic disease. The initiative brings several groups together to address California's health concerns through health screenings, educational films, and healthcare program education in several areas throughout the state. Members of the Conference of Mayors hope the resolution will help combat the growing healthcare crisis. To learn more, click here.

The San Joaquin County regional transit system ranks 29th on a list of 371 transit providers in the nation's largest metropolitan areas, according to a report by the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings. The report also finds that nearly 70 percent of metropolitan residents live in areas with access to a transit service, but only one-quarter of low-skill industries are accessible via transit. To read more and to see how your area ranks, click here

 

Grants awarded by The California FreshWorks Fund have made it so families in Long Beach, Los Angeles, and West Oakland have easier access to essential foods. The California Freshworks Fund is supported by Kaiser Permanente and The California Endowment, and aims to bring healthy food grocery stores to underserved communities. Over the past few years, the fund has raised $264 million and impacted thousands of low-income communities throughout the state. To read more about this event, click here.  

Special Reports on Regional Change














Increasing good food availability and improving labor conditions are not only attainable, says the Applied Research Center, but they're both attainable simultaneously. In a new report entitled "GOOD FOOD AND GOOD JOBS FOR ALL: Challenges and Opportunities to Advance Racial and Economic Equity in the Food System," the ARC discusses some of the challenges facing healthy food movements and farmworker movements, including systemic barriers to eating well and consumer neglect. What they found is that there are multiple points of collaboration between both movements, and that each would benefit from working cooperatively.

Generally, low-income people and people of color are most disproportionately, negatively impacted by obesity, food security, food deserts, wage and hour violations, and lack of benefits. In the case of the "good food" movement, policies often neglect to address the issues of wages, immigration status, and safe conditions, all of which impact the labor industry. Together, both camps can work to address many of the ills plaguing today's society, such as health issues and unsafe labor practices impacted by race and gender discrimination.

This report's findings are based on a survey of 186 groups and interviews with more than 25 leaders in the food and labor worlds, finding both potential for and obstacles to collaboration in each movement. The report ends with key recommendations for future work. To read this exciting report in-full, click here.
Upcoming Events
The Geothermal Energy Association is pleased to announce its second annual National Geothermal Summit on Tuesday, August 7th and Wednesday, August 8th in Sacramento. The summit will bring together business and policy leaders, as well as key companies to address the most pressing issues for the industry today. Discussion will focus on reducing geothermal exploration risk and improving incentives for geothermal power, among other topics. To find out more, click here.

Come join the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center as they host their annual Children's Environmental Science Day this coming Saturday, August 11th from 1-4PM. Kids ages 6 and up and their families are invited to come enjoy hands-on science activities designed to create an awareness of the unique ecology of Lake Tahoe and teach about environmental and Earth science. Activities include arts and crafts, games, and several exhibits. Admission is free. For directions, click here.

The Applied Research Center is continuing their Summer 2012 Racial Justice Webinar Series with a Racial Equity Impact Assessment on Thursday, August 23. This event will introduce a racial equity impact framework and tools used to predict and prevent disparities, as well as show participants how to authentically engage stakeholders in decision making. The webinar will begin 1PM ET/10AM PT. To register for this event, click here.
Request for Proposals & Call for Papers

The California Wildlands Grassroots Fund is issuing grants to promote the capacity of activists and organizations working to protect California's natural landscapes, ecosystems, plants, and wildlife. Grant amounts range between $1,000 and $3,500. Deadline to apply is Wednesday, August 15 for the fall review. To find out more, click here.  

 

The Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation is funding school improvement projects at K-12 public schools, such as gardens, physical fitness areas, and peer tutoring centers. Preference is given to projects that have a permanent impact. Deadline is Friday, October 12th. For more information about this funding opportunity, click here.   

 

The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts, is issuing a call for proposals from groups seeking to conduct health impact assessments (HIAs) which help to bring health considerations into non-health sectors. High priority is given to regions where few HIAs have been completed to date. To learn more about the application process, click here.  

 

Fellowships and Employment Opportunities 

The Student Conservation Association is looking for several interns throughout the state of California to help with education and outreach. Internship positions are available in several state parks and for varying timeframes throughout the summer. To learn more, click here.  

The Sacramento Children's Home is accepting applications for a part-time Residential Counselor position. The Residential Counselor will provide leadership and supervision to children as the primary caregiver under the supervision of the Cottage/Residential Counselor Supervisor and the work guidance and direction of the Lead Residential Counselor. For more about Sacramento Children's Home and to apply, click here.

EMQ FamiliesFirst is looking for a full-time Clinical Behavior Analyst to be responsible for providing comprehensive behavioral assessments, clinical interventions, and coordination of therapeutic activities. Applicants should have a Master's Degree in Social Work, Marriage, and Family Counseling, Psychology, or related field. For more information, click here.