In cities and counties across the country, agencies providing health and human services are working around the clock to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their work comes as communities increasingly depend on their guidance and services, particularly vulnerable populations such as the elderly, youths, and people experiencing homelessness. Agency leaders have had to track the … Continued
Thelà Thatch (2017-18) is a human resources consultant who is using her expertise in a number of ways, from coaching other human resources consultants to serving as a local elected official to volunteering with various organizations and committees. As a FUSE fellow, she helped the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and Office of … Continued
Small businesses across the country are reeling from citywide shutdowns to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. According to a Goldman Sachs survey of more than 1,500 small business owners, only half will be able to operate up to three months in the face of store closures. Other sobering stats: 96 percent reported their businesses have … Continued
This FUSE-produced story was originally published on Next City. The disparities in access to education have led to dismal outcomes. Students who drop out of high school or college are disproportionately low income, particularly students of color; black and Hispanic students are 12 and 9 percent less likely than their white peers to graduate from high … Continued
Dawn Comer (2017-18) is the broadband and digital inclusion coordinator in the Los Angeles Information Technology Agency (ITA), where she is working to provide Angelenos with digital connectivity and access, as well as digital literacy training. As a FUSE fellow, Dawn helped ITA develop a strategic smart cities plan to improve services through data and … Continued
This FUSE-produced story was originally published on Next City. Up until last year, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) was facing a critical challenge. Every year, 15,000 to 20,000 patients served by DHS were receiving treatment in other facilities, resulting in suboptimal patient experiences and increased cost to the county. One of … Continued
Originally published in the Coalition for Juvenile Justice. I am proof of both failure and success. The failure of parents to provide basic needs and safety. The failure of child service systems that move youth from place to place instead of providing sustainable solutions. The failure of courts to make decisions in the best interest … Continued
This FUSE-produced story was originally published on Next City. Early into the tenure of Mayor London Breed, who was elected in San Francisco in the summer of 2018, she began unannounced inspections of neighborhoods. She was making visible a campaign promise to address homelessness. Tents on sidewalks, encampments in parks — none of this is acceptable, … Continued
Thomas Houston (2013-14) is founder and chairman of the board of trustees of Medici Road, a think tank focused on solving generational poverty by researching related education and public-health issues, writing policies to influence how funding is distributed in these areas, and creating programs and products that help fight poverty today. As a FUSE fellow, … Continued