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Boyle Heights: Protective Environments

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Boyle Heights: Protective Environments

A.C.T. Success Stories

The Challenge

In the heart of Los Angeles, nestled within the vibrant neighborhood of Boyle Heights, lie cherished parks and green spaces with immense potential to foster community unity, mental wellness, and a deeper connection with nature. However, like many densely populated urban areas, these parks grapple with challenges that can undermine their role as safe havens for residents. Safety concerns, inadequate maintenance, and insufficient investment threaten to diminish their significance in the community. This posed a significant challenge for organizations dedicated to the welfare of Boyle Heights and its residents.

The Action

On April 20, 2023, a collaborative effort between Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) staff and representatives from the Friends of Hollenbeck Park and Friends of Boyle Heights Coalitions marked a pivotal moment in revitalizing the community’s parks. This partnership was the result of 20 plus years of community commitment to enhancing these green spaces.

SMRS, building upon this enduring community dedication, provided essential structure and resources. With decades of experience, SMRS served as a guiding force, channeling the collective energy of the community into impactful action. Through this partnership, the coalitions gained access to invaluable resources and expertise that played a pivotal role in shaping policy recommendations and action.

What made this collaboration particularly effective were experienced mentors and coaches who had become intimately familiar with Boyle Heights’ aspirations over the years. These mentors provided critical insights, ensuring that the proposals were not only comprehensive but also deeply rooted in the community’s long-standing desires and needs.

Moreover, with the collective wisdom of these mentors and coaches, coalition members received guidance on effective communication strategies. This training equipped them with the skills to persuasively convey their message to decision-makers and the wider community. These seasoned communicators helped articulate the significance of the proposed policy changes and the positive impact they would have on the lives of Boyle Heights residents.

The Outcome

The outcome of this collaborative effort, enriched by 20 plus years of community commitment and supported by SMRS, was nothing short of remarkable. The policy recommendations put forth by the Friends of Boyle Heights and Friends of Hollenbeck Park Coalitions, in partnership with SMRS, were not only acknowledged but embraced. The Los Angeles City Planning Commission recognized the significance of these recommendations and agreed to incorporate them into the upcoming Boyle Heights Community Plan.

This victory is a testament to the power of community collaboration and dedicated efforts. The policy changes are set to bring about a profound transformation in the way these parks are managed and perceived. The enhancements, focused on safety and cleanliness, will create an inviting atmosphere that encourages a diverse range of community members to actively utilize these spaces. The upcoming Planning and Land Use Management Committee and City Council meetings in the Fall will be crucial milestones for finalizing the implementation of these changes, ensuring a brighter future for Boyle Heights.

Link to ACEs and Protective Environments

The correlation between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the need for protective environments is well-established. Parks and green spaces have the potential to act as protective buffers against the negative impacts of ACEs. In Boyle Heights, where a strong sense of community prevails, these spaces hold even greater significance. They serve as gathering spots, fostering relationships, and providing an opportunity for physical activity and mental rejuvenation. By investing in the parks, the community is investing in its resilience and well-being, thereby creating an environment where individuals can heal and thrive.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) staff, the Friends of Boyle Heights and Friends of Hollenbeck Park Coalitions, and the 20-year history of community commitment stands as an inspiring example of collective action for community well-being. The journey from policy recommendations to their acceptance paints a picture of determination, unity, and a shared vision for a better future. As the Boyle Heights Community Plan moves closer to approval, the triumph of this effort stands as a beacon of hope, a symbol that meaningful change is attainable when communities come together to nurture their spaces. The community’s long-standing commitment, enriched by the structure and resources provided by SMRS, acted as the bedrock upon which this success was built.

Monica Acevedo Guerrero

Promoting Healthy Childhoods: The Sustainable Impact of Policy Change

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Promoting Healthy Childhoods: The Sustainable Impact of Policy Change

August 10th, 2023

Introduction

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can have profound and lasting effects on a child’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. The negative impacts of ACEs can extend well into adulthood, affecting a person’s overall quality of life and even contributing to societal challenges. However, a proactive approach that focuses on policy change can offer a sustainable solution to prevent ACEs and create a healthier future for children. In California, the “All Children Thrive” initiative stands as a shining example of how policy change can effectively prevent ACEs and promote positive childhood experiences.

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Adverse Childhood Experiences encompass a range of traumatic events that children may experience, such as abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, and exposure to violence. These experiences can disrupt a child’s development, leading to physical and mental health issues, social difficulties, and even economic challenges in the long run. It’s crucial to recognize that preventing ACEs goes beyond addressing individual cases; it involves creating an environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive without exposure to such adversities.

The Power of Policy Change

Policy change can be a transformative force in preventing ACEs. By implementing systemic shifts, governments and organizations can address the root causes of childhood trauma and create conditions that promote healthy development. Policy change offers several key benefits:

  1. Scalability: Policies have the potential to reach a large number of children and families, providing a broader impact than individual interventions.
  2. Long-term Impact: Sustainable policies have the power to influence the well-being of multiple generations, breaking the cycle of ACEs.
  3. Equity: Effective policies can help address disparities in childhood experiences, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to thrive.

All Children Thrive: Leading the Way in California

The “All Children Thrive” initiative in California exemplifies how policy change can be harnessed to prevent ACEs and promote healthy childhoods. This collaborative effort involves various stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations. The initiative centers its approach around five fundamental community action areas:

  1. Promoting Healthy Child Development: Crafting policies that prioritize healthy child development through education and nutritional wellness is paramount in building a strong foundation for future generations. Access to quality education equips children with essential skills and knowledge, while promoting nutritional wellness ensures their physical and cognitive growth. By integrating these priorities into policy frameworks, we invest in children’s well-being from an early age, setting the stage for healthier, more resilient individuals and communities in the long run
  2. Creating Protective Environments: The significance of protective spaces like safe parks, youth hubs, and secure routes cannot be understated in preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These spaces provide children with avenues for physical activity, social interaction, and community engagement, fostering a sense of security and belonging that helps shield them from potential traumatic events. By creating such environments, we offer children the opportunity to grow, learn, and develop in surroundings that promote their overall well-being and mitigate the risks of ACEs.
  3. Youth Development and Civic Engagement: All Children Thrive recognizes the critical role of young adults in shaping the policies that impact their lives. By fostering an understanding of policy change among young people, the initiative empowers them to become informed and engaged advocates for positive transformations. Furthermore, All Children Thrive actively encourages the incorporation of youth voices and feedback into government processes, ensuring that the policies designed to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences are reflective of the needs and aspirations of the next generation.
  4. Strengthening Economic Support for Children and Families: The need for economic support in underinvested communities is paramount for breaking cycles of adversity. These communities often lack essential resources, which can contribute to higher rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Policy change plays a vital role in rectifying this disparity by enabling the allocation of budget resources to uplift underinvested areas, fostering economic growth and creating a stronger foundation for families and children to flourish.
  5. Ensuring Access to Safe and Stable Housing: Safe and stable housing plays a pivotal role in preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), serving as a foundational element for a child’s well-being. In California, the housing crisis magnifies this importance, as unstable living conditions can exacerbate stress and insecurity for families, increasing the risk of ACEs. Addressing the housing crisis not only tackles a pressing societal issue but also directly contributes to creating an environment where children can thrive, free from the burden of housing instability.

Conclusion

Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences is a complex but achievable goal, and policy change stands as a sustainable and effective method to achieve it. Initiatives like All Children Thrive – California, with its focus on promoting healthy child development, fostering protective environments, empowering youth through civic engagement, strengthening economic support for children and families, and ensuring access to safe and stable housing, demonstrate how collaboration and a comprehensive approach can have a lasting impact on the well-being of children and families. By recognizing the power of policy change and community-driven initiatives, we can work towards a future where all children have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive without the burden of early traumatic experiences.

© 2023. California Department of Public Health. Funded under contract #21-10471

Author, Jazmine Clark, is a Communications Manager for Public Health Advocates.

Jazmine Clark

Sacramento: Children’s Fund

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Sacramento: Children’s Fund

A.C.T. Success Stories

THE CHALLENGE

Sacramento youth led community organizations drove the campaign for Measure L, establishing a Sacramento Children’s Fund. The fund earmarks an amount equivalent to 40% of local cannabis licensing fees. It also creates a permanent source of youth funding upwards of $10 million dollars a year.

Councilmember Jay Schenirer, Councilmember Mai Vang and Youth Coalition Leader Monica Ruelas-Mares at the launch of ballot initiative in June 2022

Starting in 2016, community organizations and supporters spent countless hours volunteering, canvasing, and persuading Sacramentans to increase investments in the city’s children and youth, with priority given to those most impacted by poverty, violence, and trauma.

THE ACTION

Sac Kids First, led by Youth Forward, began collaborating with All Children Thrive in 2021. A.C.T. funded and supported Youth Forward because of the direct impact that a children’s fund would have on all five of the A.C.T. community action areas. The funding could be used to promote healthy child development, create protective environments, improve youth development and civic engagement, strengthen economic supports for children and families, and/or create access to safe and stable housing.

Sac Kids First – When Children Thrive, Sacramento Thrives

After Sacramento city council voted 8-1 to put measure L on the November 2022 ballot, A.C.T. and Sac Kids First recruited youth and community members, conducted team meetings, and educated the community on the importance of a continuous investment in local youth. With A.C.T. guidance, youth and community leaders developed and distributed fact sheets and met with community members and local officials.

A previous attempt to create the Sacramento Children’s Fund was rejected by voters in 2020 by 54% to 45%. An analysis of the vote entitled A Tale of Two Cities found those who voted ‘NO’ came from predominantly white, wealthy neighborhoods.  Supporters from diverse neighborhoods of lower income.

Mayor Steinberg and Councilmember Loloee and community members posing with the Grant Drumline after the 2022 State of the City address.

Opponents to the 2022 Measure L suggested ample money was already set aside for youth. They also expressed concerns about the authority and nature of spending decisions. Supporters like the Teacher’s Association understood the value in year over year investment to prevent childhood adversity.

THE OUTCOME

In June of 2022, Mayor Darrell Steinberg reversed previous opposition to the Children’s Fund  and instead previewed the initiative at his State of the city address. In a meeting with Sac Kids First, he said, “This is a statement that not only do we value young people, but we believe we should grant them real power, because that is what makes a difference in our society, and in our city and in the way we make decisions.”

Mayor Steinberg – June 2022 State of the City

On November 8th, 2022, Measure L passed resoundingly with 62.77% of voters in support.  Measure L requires a portion of the General Fund to be allocated to a new Sacramento Children’s Fund and requires the budget to use a certain amount of the General Fund to maintain pre-existing levels of youth services.

Sacramento Children and Youth Health and Safety Act – Ballot Measure

© 2022. California Department of Public Health. Funded under contract #21-10471

Author, Jazmine Clark, is a Communications Manager for Public Health Advocates.

Jazmine Clark

Bakersfield: Protective Environments

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Bakersfield: Protective Environments

A.C.T. Success Stories

THE CHALLENGE

For several years, residents of Bakersfield faced challenges navigating their community safely on foot.  The city lacked sidewalks in key areas near schools and other community landmarks. The lack of protective environments prohibited community members from a safe place to live, learn, work, and play.

Sidewalks in Bakersfield, CA

This made commuting to schools and parks particularly dangerous for the local youth and may have played a role in the deaths of three residents. Still, residents had difficulty convincing their elected officials to take action because they lacked a comprehensive plan to address the issue. Creating a protective environment that improved the physical and social landscape while reducing community violence, required funding and technical support.

THE ACTION

Community Members began meeting regularly in 2020.   ACT got involved in 2021.  Specifically, ACT funded and supported two neighborhood organizations: Greenfield Walking Group and Vision y Compromiso. 

Telemundo interview of Greenfield Walking Group

ACT helped the groups undertake a digital story telling project for Rexland project that helped highlight the problem and solutions from community members’ perspectives.  The community then used this information to inform decision-makers officials about the issue.  Greenfield Walking Group with support of ACT funding worked with hundreds of community members from Bakersfield to provide input and support for the grant application. Community members leveraged promotoras to meld technical expertise with community passion and conducted spirited and strategic outreach to local officials.

THE OUTCOME

Community participation and engagement was fundamental to the project’s success and results came quickly.  Sidewalk construction began in 2021 and was completed in Spring 2022.  The Rexland Community hosted a celebration on May 28, 2022, to mark the completion of the 5-mile sidewalk project.  The new sidewalk improved the physical and social environment by improving safe access to important resources in the community like schools, grocery stores, playgrounds, parks, and childcare centers.

Rexland community sidewalk project map

Collaboration yielded additional benefits. Community members cite strengthened relationships with local political leaders as well as with each other. They gained valuable experience in finding and applying for grants.  They also identified other community priorities and are already developing plans to address issues that lead to childhood adversity.

Youth and community violence can have lasting harmful effects on victims, their families, and the entire community. The success of the sidewalk construction in Bakersfield, reduces unintentional injury and potential deaths in the community while improving the health and wellbeing of all children.

https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/project-adds-5-miles-of-sidewalks-for-pedestrian-safety/

© 2022. California Department of Public Health. Funded under contract #21-10471

Author, David Wescott, is the of Director of Communications for Public Health Advocates.

David