The Solutions Story Tracker® is a curated database of rigorous reporting on responses to social problems. We collect and tag every story, providing you with the ability to find coverage of effective or promising ideas and approaches— by issue, location, journalist, and success factor (strategic insights that emerge as patterns).
https://www.boulderweekly.com/entertainment/rewriting-the-narrative?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Angela K. Evans
Boulder Weekly
16 January 2020
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At the Motus Theater, formerly incarcerated individuals participate in JustUs – a performative program that gives them the space to share their stories. The Boulder-based program aims to complicate the narrative of those that commit crimes, surfacing the systemic, punitive nature of criminal justice. For those that participate, it provides them a literal platform to share their pain, trauma, and growth.
https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/public-libraries-latest-offering-musical-instruments?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Julia Hotz
Next City
14 January 2020
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Instrument rentals help to address a gap in privilege. The Central Branch of Brooklyn Public Library in New York City is one of several programs in the US and Canada that loan out musical instruments for free. The program in NYC began with the support of a grant from BKLYN Incubator. Similar programs in Philadelphia and Toronto, Canada, loan instruments to members of their community through funding from grant programs.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2020/01/14/dogs-are-helping-save-floridas-citrus-groves-devastating-disease?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Duncan Strauss
Washington Post
14 January 2020
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Dogs can detect plant disease earlier than visual inspection and faster than lab testing. In Florida, dogs are helping farmers detect Huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterium with devastating consequences for the citrus fruit industry in the state. So far, HLB has decimated the citrus industry. With their sense of smell, the dogs offer an important tool for farmers who are struggling to stay ahead of infection.
https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/people/ministry/news/sisters-encourage-masai-mothers-turn-medically-assisted-deliveries?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Doreen Ajiambo
Global Sisters Report
13 January 2020
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To reduce maternal mortality in the Masai region of Tanzania, Catholic nuns with Sisters of Notre Dame are building hospitals and educating local women about the importance of giving birth in a medical setting. Although this goes against the community's use of a "traditional birth attendant," delivering in a hospital allows for emergency situations to be better addressed and is receiving positive feedback from women in the region.
https://gazette.com/premium/special-needs-students-are-college-bound-uccs-graduates-first-class/article_285a471c-33e6-11ea-b11e-d75f88d5740c.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Debbie Kelley
Colorado Springs Gazette
12 January 2020
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An inclusion program established by lawmakers in Colorado allows intellectually disabled students to attend several colleges throughout the state. Mentors and staff help guide students through their years in school.
https://bitterrootmag.com/2020/01/10/this-montana-group-has-adventurers-working-for-scientists?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Jake Bullinger
Bitterroot
10 January 2020
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Outdoor enthusiasts make effective citizen scientists. In Montana, Adventure Scientists pairs outdoor adventure-seekers with scientists looking to collect data in remote locations. The volunteers gather data that inform US Forest Service and other conservation studies. The project has led to research collection by volunteers worldwide.
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/chicago-homicides-decline-gun-violence-shootings-philadelphia-20200110.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Inquirer Editorial Board
The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network)
10 January 2020
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Since 2016, Chicago has seen a 37% decrease in homicides with a comprehensive, targeted approach toward violence. The city developed a multi-pronged approach, including a collaboration between foundations and funders, a partnership that analyzed police decision-making, resource allocation toward a new, gun violence focused, prosecution unit, and targeted investment in high-risk individuals. With such success, cities like Philadelphia – also experiencing an increase in homicides – look to Chicago for lessons learned.
https://www.macon.com/news/local/education/article238200689.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Debbie Blankenship
The Telegraph
10 January 2020
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In Georgia’s Bibb county, students at two schools are learning deep breathing and mindfulness from the organization, On the Same Breath. The practice, introduced by the organization and then led by teachers, gives students the opportunity to complete this practice every day for 40 days in the hopes that it will address behavioral issues and stress. It’s currently in the pilot stage for Bibb county, but the Atlantic public school system has been using it for years.
https://www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2020/01/09/history-teachers-immigration-policy?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Anna-Catherine Brigida
Yes! Magazine
9 January 2020
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At one Boston public school, teachers are updating curricula to provide students with history lessons that contextualize current national debates about immigration policy.
https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2020/01/08/in-reversal-counties-and-states-help-inmates-keep-medicaid?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Max Blau
Stateline
8 January 2020
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If incarcerated, low-income individuals that are reliant on Medicaid typically lose access to their benefits which accelerates the difficulty of reentry. To help close the gap, the National Association of Counties and the National Sheriffs’ Association have joined together to implement stopgap measures to help inmates either retain their benefits or have them only suspended instead of terminated.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/08/on-the-frontline-of-the-climate-emergency-bangladesh-adapts?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Sarah Marsh
The Guardian
8 January 2020
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Adapting to climate change requires innovation in farming techniques. In Bangladesh, farmers are switching from cultivating crops to fishing. They are employing adaptive practices such as raising fish in cages, shrimp farming, planting on floating beds, and creating dyke gardens. Some of the initiatives are supported by charities like Practical Action and organizations like the World Ban’s National Agriculture Technology Program.
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/01/08/794063152/reduce-health-costs-by-nurturing-the-sickest-a-much-touted-idea-disappoints?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Dan Gorenstein
Leslie Walker
NPR
8 January 2020
Radio / 3-5 Minutes
Researchers in New Jersey have been testing the idea that an increased specialized care model directed towards the sickest and most expensive patients would help reduce costs and improve health, but the trials have been less than promising. However, it was in the failures of the approach, that researchers learned that creating broader partnerships and addressing underlying issues for the patients may have been the missing key.
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