PolicyLink is engaged in a wide variety of policy campaigns, partnerships, and research projects throughout the state of California . From the San Francisco Bay Area to the rapidly-growing Central Valley and Inland Empire regions to the state policy arena in Sacramento , PolicyLink is committed to Lifting Up What Works® in California , connecting local communities to the policymaking process, and promoting economic and social equity statewide.
Equity in School Construction:
Leveraging Opportunities
In November 2002, California voters approved over $13 billion in school bonds
through Proposition 47. Of those funds, $11.4 billion was made available for
K-12 public school facilities. Another $10 billion bond for K-12 school facilities
passed on the March 2004 ballot. While these funds present a significant opportunity
to address California 's school facilities gap, questions remain as to whether
these resources will be distributed equitably, and how much they can solve
the problems in communities with the greatest need, most notably critically
overcrowded schools in low-income communities. This project, done in conjunction
with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, will analyze the
first results of the distribution of bond funds and recommend any needed policy
changes.
Equity and Infrastructure Policy
The project is providing working definitions of equity in infrastructure, derived from promising practices from around the country. Our work is developing a framework for improvements in public finance, transportation policy, and regional development policy. Starting in California, this work is being done in consultation with diverse statewide organizations and will ultimately inform a major new study of the state's policy choices regarding growth and public investment.
Community Strategies to Improve Health
PolicyLink is providing technical assistance and training in policy, advocacy, and communications to the 12 local coalitions participating in the statewide Community Action to Fight Asthma initiative. Drawn from northern, southern, and central California , the CAFA coalitions represent a diverse range of urban, suburban, and agricultural communities, confronting both particular and shared challenges in their fight to reduce childhood asthma. Our work includes helping to identify and advocate for policy changes needed to improve environmental conditions, convening statewide partners to develop effective strategies, providing one-on-one strategic assistance to increase capacity for policy and communication skills, and engaging others to strengthen asthma partnerships and collaborations.
Healthy Eating Active Communities
In March 2005 PolicyLink partnered with The California Endowment to assist
in their new Healthy Eating Active Communities initiative to improve the
food and physical activity environments for school age children in six
California communities. The goal of this initiative is to create momentum
for widespread changes in the policies and practices that contribute to
the rising rates of childhood obesity. This four-year initiative will include
collaboration with school districts, public health departments, community
organizations and after-school programs.
PolicyLink will focus on assisting these communities in addressing conditions in neighborhoods that contribute to obesity. Our primary objectives are to:
Market
Creek Plaza
PolicyLink has undertaken a partnership with the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood
Innovation to synthesize key learnings regarding the Market Creek Plaza
development, and educate funders, practitioners, and policymakers about
the policy implications of this ground breaking project.
Market Creek Plaza is a 20-acre commercial real estate development project
in a culturally diverse, under-invested neighborhood of San Diego. It is
among the nation's first real estate development projects to be designed,
built, and ultimately owned (in the most literal sense) by community residents.
The Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation (JCNI), an operating foundation
with a neighborhood strengthening mission, is the developer of the project
and has provided comprehensive support for Market Creek Plaza as a vehicle
for community transformation.
Community Capital Investment Initiative
The Community Capital Investment Initiative (CCII) is a regional effort to attract private investment into the 46 most impoverished Bay Area neighborhoods to reduce poverty, increase economic opportunity for residents, and promote smart growth. PolicyLink serves as one of three co-chairs of CCII's Community Council, which works to ensure that the initiative produces significant economic and social equity outcomes.
Community Technology Policy Partnerships
PolicyLink coordinated with the Community Technology foundation of California to research and analyze California's digital divide with respect to technology training, access, relevant content, capacity of nonprofitx, and applications. Through a literature review, best practices research, and a policy scan, PolicyLink assessed current community technology research and practices, and developed a set of strategic policy recommendations. Building on the 2001 report Bridging the Organizational Divide: Toward a Comprehensive Approach to the Digital Divide , PolicyLink continues its Community Building in the Digital Age initiatives through research and advocacy partnerships with nonprofit and private technology organizations statewide.