Report Assessing Teen Well-Being and Mental Health after the Medi-Cal Expansion By Paulette Cha Jan 27, 2021 Through the Medi-Cal expansion, California invested in adult mental health—but did teens also benefit? This report examines trends in adolescent mental health and maltreatment, and investigates disparities around race and immigration status. These topics weigh heavily as the strain of the pandemic on home life raises concerns over teen well-being.
Report California’s Future: Safety Net By Caroline Danielson, Shannon McConville, Paulette Cha Jan 15, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of California’s safety net, which helps millions of low-income adults and children meet basic needs. It has also highlighted disparities in health and economic well-being across racial/ethnic groups.
Report California’s Future By Ellen Hanak, Laura Hill, Hans Johnson, Caroline Danielson ... Jan 15, 2021 This multi-topic publication highlights the state’s most pressing long-term policy challenges in several key areas: criminal justice, economy, education, safety net, and water and a changing climate.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Alyssa Dykman Dec 9, 2020 Key findings from the current survey include six in ten Californians think that when today’s children grow up, they will be worse off financially than their parents. About seven in ten Californians are still either very or somewhat worried that someone in their family will get sick from coronavirus, while two in three worry that the pandemic will hurt their finances. In the past year, 43 percent of households with incomes under $40,000 had someone with reduced work hours or pay. A majority of Democrats and most Republicans support increased public funding for job training so that more workers have the skills needed for today’s jobs.
Report Income Inequality and Economic Opportunity in California By Sarah Bohn, Dean Bonner, Julien Lafortune, Tess Thorman Dec 7, 2020 The current recession threatens to deepen California’s economic divide and further reduce opportunities for low-income families, communities of color, and women. State policy actions could promote an equitable recovery and address widening income inequality.
Report The Importance of CalFresh and CalWORKs in Children’s Early Years By Caroline Danielson, Tess Thorman, Sarah Bohn Dec 3, 2020 When a crisis disrupts finances, California families may turn to CalFresh and CalWORKs. About half of children access one or both of these safety net programs by age five. Knowing when children may participate, and for how long, can help policymakers address barriers to access.
Report Who Is Losing Ground with Distance Learning in California? By Niu Gao, Julien Lafortune, Laura Hill Oct 19, 2020 As the pandemic continues, K–12 districts must understand where and how to refine remote instruction. In this report, we examine obstacles and disparities that may have caused some California students to fall behind after the switch to distance learning last spring, and we offer insights to help schools develop interventions to best serve these students.
Report Supporting Student Parents in Community College CalWORKs Programs By Shannon McConville, Sarah Bohn, Bonnie Brooks Oct 14, 2020 All community colleges run support programs for students who receive CalWORKs, the state’s cash assistance program for poor families with children. Students do better when enrolled in these support programs, but completion rates are low. How can colleges help more CalWORKs students succeed?
Fact Sheet The CalFresh Food Assistance Program By Caroline Danielson, Daniel Tan Sep 1, 2020 Participation in CalFresh—which helps millions of low-income Californians buy groceries—has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic. This fact sheet provides a snapshot of the program, including its impact on poverty and recent changes to expand access.
Report Counting California: Challenges for the 2020 Census By Sarah Bohn, Eric McGhee, Lynette Ubois Mar 23, 2020 California has worked hard in preparing for the census and has invested deeply to meet the high-stakes challenge of counting every resident. A House seat and the allocation of billions in federal funds are on the line.
