Report Strengthening California’s Transfer Pathway By Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson, Cesar Alesi Perez, Jacob Jackson Aug 29, 2023 Increasing the number of California community college students who transfer to four-year institutions is critical for creating a more diverse pool of college graduates. Despite recent progress, transfer rates remain low and racial disparities persist. Several reforms are already underway, and higher education institutions must continue to work together so more students can reach their academic goals.
Report Health Care for California’s Jail Population By Shannon McConville, Mia Bird Jun 18, 2014 The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has created a new opportunity for California to reach and enroll a medically vulnerable population—the jail population—in health insurance coverage. While inmates receive health care services from county jail systems while incarcerated, few have coverage after they are released from custody. Expansion of the state’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) under the ACA has extended insurance eligibility to much of the currently uninsured jail population. As a complement to the ACA, California recently signed into law Assembly Bill 720 (AB 720), which facilitates the use of jails as sites of health insurance enrollment. Increasing enrollment levels for the jail population holds the potential to reduce corrections costs, as well as improve public health and safety.
blog post As Medi-Cal Enters a Post-Pandemic Phase, Keeping Eligible Californians Enrolled Is a Key Concern By Caroline Danielson, Shannon McConville Apr 11, 2023 Following a three-year pause during COVID, California counties are restarting annual eligibility reviews for the Medi-Cal program. Some who lose Medi-Cal will become uninsured, likely leading to a small but notable increase in poverty in the state.
blog post Video: Briefing Focuses on Health and Nutrition Safety Net for Children By David Lesher Feb 25, 2015 More than half of all California children participate in at least one health or nutrition safety net program, according to a newly released PPIC report that was the focus of a recent briefing.
blog post The Uninsured and the Safety Net By Shannon McConville Apr 8, 2014 Open enrollment has ended, and projections suggest about 4 million Californians will still lack health insurance. They will continue to rely on county programs and safety net providers, such as health clinics and emergency departments.
press release Online Courses in Community Colleges See Major Growth—But Student Success Rates Lag May 14, 2014
blog post International Students Play a Critical Role in Higher Education By Jacob Jackson Jul 15, 2020 In addition to bringing a diverse set of skills and perspectives, international students contribute significantly to the fiscal health of California’s public and private higher education institutions.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Pandemic Changes to Medi-Cal and Implications for California’s Immigrant Farmworkers By Paulette Cha Mar 22, 2023 Pandemic changes to Medi-Cal made it easier for low-income Californians to stay enrolled and to access expanded services—improvements to care that may have helped immigrant farmworkers. The upcoming end of the public health emergency will reverse some of these changes, as advocates push to keep others permanent.
Report Preparing Students for Success in California’s Community Colleges By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Olga Rodriguez Nov 9, 2016 Community colleges identify 80 percent of incoming students as underprepared for college-level work. Fewer than half of these students advance to and succeed in a college course (44% in English and 27% in math). Concerns about poor outcomes have led to institutional reforms. This research was supported with funding from The Sutton Family Fund.
