Students convince Medford to install ‘3-D' crosswalks at elementary schools
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/04/22/students-convince-medford-install-crosswalks-elementary-schools/LolOjXXkyKBxBsB8vNJCNM/story.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Matt Rocheleau
The Boston Globe
22 April 2019
Text / Under 800 Words
In an effort to promote safe driving, a local artist painted a three-dimensional crosswalk near an elementary school. The idea came from school-aged children, noticing the intersection needed improvements, who brought it to City Hall officials. This initiative is part of a larger trend in using optical illusions to bolster traffic safety around the world.
More Benches, Special Goggles: Taking Steps to Assist Older Travelers
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/22/business/elder-travel-airports-hotels.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Julie Weed
The New York Times
22 April 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
As the number of people over 60 years old continues to rise, airports and hotels around the country are implementing features and senior-friendly design into their spaces. Some of the changes are simple – new benches, brighter lights, or luggage assistance – but some are much more complex, like installing systems that transmit airport announcements directly to a travelers’ hearing device.
What Can the U.S. Health System Learn From Singapore?
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/22/upshot/singapore-health-system-lessons.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Aaron E. Carroll
The New York Times
22 April 2019
Text / 1500-3000 Words
In Singapore, government officials have taken the opportunity to learn from gaps and failures in their health care system in order to enact a more progressive, proactive and accessible process. From subsidizing housing to implementing healthier school lunches to combat diabetes, the country's health care system is often held as an example to model.
As mountain suicides soar, Vail Health is committing $60 million to mental care in Eagle County
https://coloradosun.com/2019/04/22/vail-health-suicide-mental-health-money?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Jason Blevins
The Colorado Sun
22 April 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Colorado's Eagle County identified that the community was facing a suicide crisis after rates started rapidly rising, especially amongst adolescents. To combat the issue, Vail Health invested $60 million towards improving mental health care access, reducing the stigma of seeking treatment and creating partnerships to help bridge the gap.
Congestion Pricing Works — and It Might Be Headed to Your Town Next
http://nationswell.com/congestion-pricing-works-traffic?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Jaime Buerger
NationSwell
19 April 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
After successful reports from countries around the world about the positive effects of congestion pricing, New York City looks to charge drivers in the most congested areas of the city in order to reduce traffic and environmental impact. The revenue from congestion pricing, which acts as a barrier for drivers in crowded city limits, is funneled back into the city's public transportation budget.
How Lakota Horse Culture Is Helping Treat Child Trauma in South Dakota
https://psmag.com/ideas/how-lakota-horse-culture-is-helping-treat-child-trauma-in-south-dakota?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Tony Rehagen
Pacific Standard
17 April 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Using animals as a form of therapy is not a new concept, but combining this practice with traditional Lakota horse rituals has proven to be a powerful anecdote for treating youth mental trauma in these communities. Treating the donated horses as companions, the youth learn how to care and train the equines all from the mindset of how these animals have played a role in Native American culture and history.
This ‘Innovative' Housing Program Serves Just 3 Households
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2019/04/17/this-innovative-housing-program-serves-just-3-households?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Sophie Quinton
Stateline
17 April 2019
Text / 1500-3000 Words
While a partnership between the city of Denver and surrounding businesses sparked an affordable housing program, the city still wants to push the program to a much larger scale. The program rent-controls specific apartments for folks spending more than 30% of their income on rent, though only a small number of individuals have been served thus far.
How drones are delivering lifesaving medical supplies in Rwanda
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-drones-are-delivering-lifesaving-medical-supplies-in-rwanda?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Fred de Sam Lazaro
PBS NewsHour
16 April 2019
Broadcast TV Programs / 5-15 Minutes
Drone-powered medical deliveries are no longer a concept of the future, thanks to Zipline, a California-based start-up that is delivering medical supplies to rural hospitals in Rwanda. While the drones are limited to carrying less than four pounds and dropping the supplies by parachute, this technology is allowing faster delivery and better access to care across the nation.
Local group offering rehabbed homes to families on Cleveland's East Side
https://www.news5cleveland.com/a-better-land/local-group-offering-families-second-chances?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Frank Wiley
WEWS-TV (ABC News 5 Cleveland)
15 April 2019
Broadcast TV News / Under 5 Minutes
Systemic issues like redlining, re-entry after incarceration, and addiction have left many people in search of affordable and sustainable housing options. Cleveland’s Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries is rehabbing homes and offering them to individuals who are in need of a second chance.
In African Villages, These Phones Become Ultrasound Scanners
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/15/health/medical-scans-butterfly-iq.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Donald G. McNeil Jr.
The New York Times
15 April 2019
Text / 1500-3000 Words
In rural parts of Africa, where access to quality medical attention is hard to come by, a hand-held portable ultrasound scanner is revolutionizing care. Although primarily being used to diagnose cases of pneumonia, doctors in these isolated areas are finding that the device has other uses, such as organ scanning which leads to proactive medical attention for many community members.
Can Community Investment Trusts Help Slow Down Gentrification?
https://psmag.com/economics/can-community-investment-trusts-help-slow-down-gentrification?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Brendan Seibel
Pacific Standard
15 April 2019
Text / 1500-3000 Words
In East Portland, Oregon, a new Community Investment Trust is working to ensure that low-income residents have the opportunity to build equity by investing in their real estate. The program is limited to four zip codes with a maximum contribution of $100 to ensure that the investments stay open only to the members of the community it's intended to serve. More than 95% of investors have kept their money in the trust, but the model might be difficult to scale nationally without effective partnerships.
Changes Coming To Housing Program For Former Inmates
https://www.mtpr.org/post/changes-coming-housing-program-former-inmates?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Edward O'Brien
Montana Public Radio
15 April 2019
Multi-Media / 5-15 Minutes
The Montana State Government designated funding toward a Supporting Housing pilot program that aims to help offenders experience a smooth re-entry into society after they get out of prison. Though the state is looking to adjust funding methods and dispersal to create a more impactful program, formerly incarcerated members of the program already see progress in their own lives.
