Angela Glover Blackwell

77 days until the next Presidential election. Stay informed, stay vigilant and vote! 🗳️ In the meantime, do yourself a favor and listen to this podcast featuring my wife Darcy Totten 💯💪🏽🚀🚀🚀🚀

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💲California’s subsidy system is a source of income for #childcare providers, including eligible Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers. Early Edge California, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, San Jose Public Library, and Vision y Compromiso’s newest FFN policy brief, Increasing Access to Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregiver Wages through California’s Child Care Subsidy System, outlines key barriers to subsidies for FFN caregivers and recommendations for addressing these barriers. 🚧 Key barriers to FFN caregivers accessing #ChildCareSubsidies include: ▪️ Lack of awareness of subsidies ▪️ Fear and mistrust amongst FFN caregivers and families (i.e. concerns related to immigration status; fear of subsidy impacting benefit eligibility; fear of government oversight and intervention) ▪️ Challenges navigating process and requirements ▪️ Challenges with information sharing and language and technology accessibility Read the brief to learn more: https://ow.ly/S3Wm50RFYKX #FFNcare #SupportFFNs

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📣 Calling all 501(c)(3)s! Don't miss this invaluable workshop on Nonpartisan Advocacy, brought to you by Bolder Advocacy and sponsored by The California Endowment. 🌟 In a political landscape where every voice matters, it's crucial for public charities to understand their role in nonpartisan advocacy. Join us virtually May 9 at 9:30 am PDT for a comprehensive exploration of how 501(c)(3)s can effectively educate and advocate while maintaining their nonpartisan status. Led by Bolder Advocacy, a program of Alliance for Justice, and facilitated by Sarah Efthymiou, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate nonpartisan advocacy with confidence. Key takeaways include: ✅ Advocating for your issues during election years ✅ Educating the public through candidate forums and questionnaires ✅ Objectively responding to candidate statements ✅ Conducting nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts legally ✅ Safely supporting or opposing ballot measures without partisanship ✅ Keeping personal partisan activities separate from organizational activities Empower your organization to make a meaningful impact in your community while upholding nonpartisan principles. Register now to secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/g6zh-NfA #NonpartisanAdvocacy #501c3 #CommunityImpact #BolderAdvocacy #OneOC #CommunityImpact #OrangeCounty #OrangeCountyEvents

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Community-based organizations (CBOs) are often the best option for providing critical services to diverse communities in California, yet they frequently encounter obstacles to securing state contracts or grants that could support their mission. Our new issue brief — Unlocking California State Funding for Community-Based Organizations to Advance Health Equity — highlights situations that many CBOs face when competing for state funding, and it provides recommendations on how government entities can improve their contracting and grantmaking processes to make it easier for CBOs to advance heath equity. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gE-UJJyP #CBOs #CommunityBasedOrganizations #NonprofitFunding #HealthEquity #StateFunding #CaliforniaNonprofit

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"I grew up in Los Angeles during the 1990s, when California had many tough-on-crime policies and the largest prison population in the country. Youths across the state grew up in historically underfunded communities with little access to the community-based services and resources that help neighborhoods thrive and increase safety. Now, I’m watching the state return to those backward days. "In my childhood, police targeted youth as so-called superpredators if they had gang affiliations or were seen as delinquents. Growing up in an under-resourced community, I was one of these teens. Instead of receiving services to rehabilitate my behavior or deal with the trauma I’d endured, I received a long prison sentence as a teenager. "I was released five years ago after spending half my life incarcerated. Thankfully, I was able to access reentry programs that allowed me to obtain the rehabilitative support I needed, which in turn made it possible for me to earn associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. I’m working toward my master’s degree in social welfare at the University of California at Los Angeles’s Luskin School of Public Affairs. Those reentry programs are what helped me get on a very different path, despite my lengthy sentence. "Recently, Los Angeles County has seen incredible returns on its investment in supportive programs, which have a demonstrated ability to make communities healthier and safer. Community-based reentry programs have an impressive success rate, reducing rearrest and reconviction rates for participants, and doing so more cheaply than simply keeping people in jail. But too many people who are released from jail without such support are either arrested or jailed again within a year of release. And California’s Proposition 36, which passed last month, will reduce available funding both for these sorts of supportive programs and for victims services. "With the return of mass incarceration and lengthy sentences, there will also eventually be mass releases. The combination of tough-on-crime district attorneys such as Nathan Hochman and Proposition 36’s passage means more kids will be repeatedly caged for huge portions of their lives and released without the support of programs that help people turn their lives around. "Los Angeles fell prey to outsize fears and misinformation about crime rates and what keeps people safe. There’s broad consensus among researchers that long sentences do not deter crime. And both statistics and my own personal experience show what really works: community-based programs and resources. "We all deserve to live in safe, healthy communities. Former Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón was trying his best to follow the research and statistics but couldn’t compete with the constant onslaught of misinformation. Now, voters are trying their best to send our state back decades to revisit what already failed us. "Francisco Villarruel, Los Angeles"

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Governor’s 2024 #MayRevise is Unacceptable for California’s Children and Families Today Governor Gavin Newsom released a revised #CABudget proposal that unfortunately doesn't protect progress made in children’s health equity in previous budget cycles. Read our full response here: https://lnkd.in/gVQmgqyd "The Governor said this #CABudget lays out a long-term, multi-year strategy. Children’s #HealthEquity is always a multi-year strategy. He is making a choice to cut the very programs families depend on to raise healthy, thriving children. Instead, California will spend billions of dollars on tax breaks for high-profit corporations.” - Mayra E Alvarez We're deeply disappointed Gov. Newsom didn't include ➡️$$ to safeguard #HealthCare coverage for young children ➡️thriving wages for community health workers ➡️reliable internet access for families These would build #HealthEquity for historically marginalized communities of color. California has the resources to create #HealthEquity for children & families – now we need the courage. CA must consider new, progressive revenues rather than weaken the critical services families rely on. CC: Dr. Seciah Aquino Andrew Cheyne

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Our UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies report on the Citywide Housing Incentive Program (CHIP), being considered by Los Angeles City Council tomorrow, got some coverage in the LA Times. "Under state laws designed to remedy a housing shortage, the city has to set aside land for the construction of 250,000 more homes than allowed through existing zoning rules. Measures under consideration by a city council committee are likely to satisfy the state requirements, the UCLA analysis found. But when analyzing the likelihood of what developers would actually build, researchers found the number of new homes would be far lower, said Shane Phillips, Housing Initiative Project Manager at UCLA’s Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies. Housing production citywide now is about a third of what’s needed to meet the goal. Taking into account costs of development and other factors, the rezoning only increases the realistic capacity for new construction by about 30%, the study determined." https://lnkd.in/g6QqJ4vs

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In this episode of UCLA Housing Voice, we talked about the rationale behind mandating affordable units for developments on upzoned land, and what can go wrong when costs and benefits are out of balance. Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program offers a cautionary tale. Jake Krimmel and Betty X. W. authored the research article on the MHA program, and Maxence Valentin joined to discuss his related work on "carrot and stick zoning." About MHA and its effects: In 2017 and 2019, Seattle upzoned big chunks of the city, increasing the allowable height/ floor area/ density of projects in the red areas below. To build in these areas, however, developers now had to also pay an affordable housing fee or provide below-market units on site — "pay or performance." Ideally, Seattle's Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program would increase production of both market-rate and below-market units in the upzoned areas, relieving an overall supply shortage while also addressing the acute needs of low-income households. But for a program like Seattle's MHA to work, the value of the upzoning has to exceed the cost of the affordability mandates. There's good reason to believe that wasn't the case here. Following its adoption, developers shifted projects to outside the MHA boundaries. They also built more (relatively high cost) townhomes and fewer multifamily units. Why did Seattle's inclusionary program — its "upzoning with strings attached" — have these unintended consequences? One likely reason is the upzones were very modest, adding just one additional story or 1-2 units beyond what was allowed before. In addition to being small upzones, which would add limited value even in the best circumstances, they were also widespread, which probably diluted their value further. This doesn't mean broad upzonings are bad. (I've written about this at length.) We also talk about how, although Seattle's MHA program is framed as a compromise between developer and tenant/anti-gentrification interests, the most influential interest group was single-family homeowners, who restricted virtually all upzoning to existing multifamily zones. (Some of) My lessons from Seattle's inclusionary zoning program? 1. Feasibility matters. Incentives to participate need to exceed incentives to opt out. 2. You can't appease everyone. 3. Mandatory programs increase risk of negative consequences. A very good conversation, and worth your time. Give it a listen! https://lnkd.in/gcxmd-Eg

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My latest op-ed🚨 It's Time for Santa Clara County to Adopt Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)!🚨 As Latinas, we know how critical representation is in shaping our future. Join me and Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley in advocating for a more inclusive and representative election process. In my latest op-ed, I explain why Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) is essential to ensuring our voices—especially those of communities of color and young people—are heard. We know that too often, decisions are made by a small, unrepresentative group due to low voter turnout in spring primaries. RCV changes that by giving voters more choice, encouraging candidates to reach beyond their base, and fostering a healthier, more collaborative campaign environment. It's a system that empowers Latinas, women, and all underrepresented groups to make sure our voices matter. Santa Clara County is ready for this change, with 64% of voters already supporting RCV. Let's join other Bay Area cities and make sure our democracy reflects all of us. 📖 Read my full op-ed to learn more about why this matters for our community and our future: https://lnkd.in/gmbkNYxw Our democracy works best when all voices are heard. Let’s push for the change we need. Because when we show up, RepresentationMatters💪🏽 #LatinaLeadership #RankedChoiceVoting #RCV #VoterEmpowerment #LCofSV #StrongerTogether

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Election time!! Friends don't let friends vote without the ConnectedSF voter guide!! Our city has turned upside down, our elected officials seem to think we work for them ... this is the vote guide that is fighting that trend and elevating citizens over politicians. We can fix our city if better people get elected - here's the roadmap! Equally importantly, share this with 20+ friends, you don't have to agree with everything, tell them what you'd change, but disseminate this as broadly as possible if you want change. https://lnkd.in/gmMfuZy6

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📣 More evidence about the effectiveness of #CommunitySchools 🎓 The UCLA Center for Community Schooling published a new blog post highlighting the impact of the $4.1 billion California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP), which is working to establish, strengthen, and expand community schools for communities with demonstrated need. 💡 Key Insights from the The Opportunity Institute, which conducted the analysis of the first round of CCSPP applicants. Integrated Student Supports: 78% of schools identified integrated student supports and services as part of their community schools plan, with significant expansions in partnerships and training. Examples included health, mental health, tutoring, nutritional services, and multi-tiered systems of support. Positive School Climates: 86% of schools are committed to creating positive, welcoming, and safe learning environments. Specifically, schools focused on implementing positive behavioral supports, restorative practices, and social-emotional skill development. Community-Based Learning: 40% of CCSPP grantees incorporated community-based learning as a part of their year plan or needs and assets assessment. And 1/3 included expanded partnerships or expanded capacity to offer similar learning opportunties to students. This analysis looked at approximately 450 schools included in the first two rounds of CCSPP grants. I am looking forward to seeing more from these grantees and the next cohort of grantees to be announced later in May 2024. 🔗 Read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/ej6ET7bm #CommunitySchools #CCSPP #EducationTransformation #EquityInEducation #CaliforniaEducation

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Congratulations to Covered California as it prepares to launch its Population Health Investments (PopHI) program. This innovative effort seeks to improve the overall health of the 1.8 million Covered California enrollees by reinvesting funds in ways that tackle underlying social and structural problems.    The Learning Center looks forward to supporting primary care practices as part of this effort. Our work with PopHI seeks to amplify the impact of the Equity and Practice Transformation (EPT) Program in 2025 and beyond through enhanced technical assistance to select practices serving both Medi-Cal and Covered California members.   Learn more in a new article from the California Health Care Foundation. https://lnkd.in/e8di3xaT

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Excellent episode of the Housing Voice podcast on "upzoning with strings attached." Seattle upzoned many neighborhoods but required developers to dedicate high shares of affordable units or pay fees. Building permits declined in areas with affordability requirements but increased elsewhere. These results are from a natural experiment where some neighborhoods were upzoned (with affordability requirements) and others were not. Development seems to have "migrated" to areas without affordability requirements, suggesting developers strategically opt out of these areas. These results are a cautionary tale against well-intended efforts upzone while requiring affordability. https://lnkd.in/gycnMbEV

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County of Ventura has an access to legal services gap. The Colleges of Law has partnered with Ventura County Bar Association (California) to host the Ventura County Legal Aid Clinic on campus twice a month. People arrive 2-3 hours before the clinic even starts, anxious to put their name on the list. The attorneys who volunteer their time and the law students who shadow them see between 45-60 clients each night. (Thank you!) And the clinic is limited on who it can serve and what legal issues it can address. I am sure that for every 1 person it serves there are 5 more who ineligible for the clinic's services and another 5 who don't even know there is a legal remedy available. We need to create a user-centered legal system. Margaret Hagan has written extensively on how we can design a more accessible approach. https://lnkd.in/gEUtd_fM

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#SustainedCollaboration: What is philanthropy, and how can it be a partner and a resource to government and policymakers? Philanthropy California, a decade-old alliance between Northern California Grantmakers (NCG), Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, and Southern California Grantmakers (SCG), leverages the combined strengths of its member organizations to address pressing public policy issues. By uniting their efforts, these organizations have created a powerful platform that enhances philanthropic impact across California. Founded in 2017 after discussions in 2014 aimed at improving cooperation across programming, membership, and public policy, the alliance quickly became a formidable advocate in the state. These efforts quickly adapted to emerging issues, with significant early work on funding the census and addressing redistricting. Key to their progress has been the deep involvement of staff at all levels, fostering ownership and trust that sustained the alliance. Representing over 600 foundations, the alliance successfully established a permanent philanthropy liaison in the Governor's office, ensuring the philanthropic perspective is considered in state policy decisions. "[The Senior Advisor on Social Innovation has] a liaison in each of the [state] agencies, giving her insight into what they are thinking and a connection there," says Megan Thomas, the President & CEO of Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties. "This helps us elevate issues of statewide or national importance." Efforts in climate and disaster resilience have further established Philanthropy California as a trusted leader. State agencies direct potential donors to the alliance’s pooled funds during disasters, demonstrating the alliance's crucial role in coordinating philanthropic responses. "We are a stronger voice in the state capital,” Thomas says, “when we speak with the voice of a statewide coalition of philanthropy." Learn more through our podcast episode with Philanthropy California leaders. https://lnkd.in/gUk2pAyA

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On September 27, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1137 into law, making California the first state to codify intersectionality into its anti-discrimination statutes. This milestone legislation was cosponsored by Equal Rights Advocates, whose advocacy continues to drive progress in gender and racial equality. What Does This Mean? Effective January 1, 2025, CA law will explicitly recognize that discrimination can arise from a combination of protected traits—such as race and gender or LGBTQ+ status and age. This update applies to: - The Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination by businesses. - The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which addresses workplace discrimination. While this concept isn’t new—1994’s Lam v. University of Hawaii established the precedent that identity cannot be dissected into separate categories—SB 1137 codifies this principle into law. Now, courts must consider whether a combination of characteristics led to discriminatory treatment. With this new law, discrimination claims involving intersectional bias may become more complex. It's important to ensure that anti-harassment policies and training are updated to address combined traits and promote inclusivity for all employees. CA continues to set the bar for progressive employment laws, with the nation watching closely. Employers, take this as a sign to proactively review and strengthen workplace policies. Visit equalrights.org to learn more about SB 1137 > https://lnkd.in/gHBB-4Qh #intersectionality #california #CAlaws #employmentlaw #employeerights #equality

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We’re thrilled to announce our selection as recipients of the Hellman Foundation’s Collaborative Change Initiative grant, which will support us in breaking the cycle of incarceration by directly addressing the key drivers of criminalization: poverty and housing instability. This grant allows us to form a collaborative partnership with key stakeholders in Alameda County, including the Alameda County Probation Department, Alameda County District Attorney's Office and Public Defenders’ offices, and Young Women's Freedom Center. Our goal is to reduce institutional placements for girls, young women, and trans youth of all genders by providing stable housing alternatives. Beloved Village will support systems-impacted girls, young women, and trans youth, and their families (whether biological, chosen, or otherwise) through housing solutions, peer-led community support services, and financial stipends.

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Great to see the final report for #NAFAN and OCLC's contributions to the study. There also is an OCLC web page that describes the many project outputs https://lnkd.in/gkSbtpKv.

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