California

Approximately one in four people will experience a substance use disorder (SUD) in their lifetime, including 2.5 million Los Angeles County residents. Unfortunately, 95% of those who need specialty SUD treatment do not receive it, and Black and Hispanic individuals seeking SUD treatment are less likely to receive it than... Read more

San Leandro is a small city in the San Francisco Bay Area with a population that is predominantly people of color and foreign-born. The city is vulnerable to climate change impacts, and to address this, it has implemented a Tree Master Plan and is developing a resilience hub network. The... Read more

The pandemic highlighted systemic racism in Los Angeles County, particularly in communities of color. The government has committed to not just recovering from COVID-19 but also transforming the system entirely. The Board of Supervisors has declared racism a public health emergency and established an Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Equity (ARDI) Initiative... Read more

The Los Angeles Public Library system operates 73 locations, serving over 4 million people who speak more than 220 languages. The library provides internet connectivity and various programs to help residents access computer and internet resources. As a front line for residents to access other services, the library is leading... Read more

The City of San José is working on "Climate Smart San José", nine climate strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on its residents, such as extreme heat, weather, drought, and sea level rise. However, funding for these projects can be challenging to secure.  San José is partnering with... Read more

The City of Los Angeles is addressing the issue of the digital divide and lack of high-speed internet access, particularly in low-income communities and among people of color. It is leveraging federal grant funds to build fiber conduits and install "dark" fiber, making it easier for internet service providers to... Read more

Medical debt affects 100 million Americans and contributes to personal financial strain and poor health outcomes, while overuse of healthcare services leads to wasteful spending and harm to patients. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is adopting a public health approach to address these issues and is partnering... Read more

The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office (PDO) is seeking to establish a Data Analytics Unit to help reduce reliance on incarceration and drive criminal justice reforms throughout LA County. The PDO has already undergone a digital transformation initiative to modernize its operations and has restructured 160 million criminal case... Read more

Climate change is causing more severe droughts and floods, threatening local water supplies. San José has experienced persistent drought, leading to reduced water supply and increased costs. To address this, the City implemented the "Climate Smart San José" strategy to reduce water consumption, enhance reuse and recycling efforts, and support... Read more

Like many cities across America, the City of Oakland, CA is experiencing climate change in the form of historic droughts, record-breaking heat, and devastating wildfires that have taken lives, displaced community members, and stressed infrastructure. Oakland’s frontline communities have done the least to create the climate crisis, yet they are... Read more