Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 1225 results  for your search.  View and Refine Your Search Terms

  • Dementia program in Peel 'should spread like wildfire'

    June 20, 2018 |

    Toronto Star |

    Multi-Media |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: Canada, Peel, Ontario

    Dementia units and long-term care homes for the elderly are often desolate and lonely places, with harried workers attempting to meet the needs of their patients while also meeting government-set metrics of success. For families and individuals, it can be difficult to imagine a better way. However, a pilot program in Canada called the Butterfly room is showing that dedicated efforts to making long-term care homes a vibrant and loving place for someone's last days has positive impacts for everyone - and is worth a government investment do right across the country.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Why Are Millions Paying Online Tax Preparation Fees When They Don't Need To?

    June 18, 2018 |

    ProPublica |

    Text |

    1500-3000 Words

    Response Location: United States

    Thanks to an agreement between the U.S. government and a consortium of companies including Intuit and H&R Block, 70 percent of taxpayers are supposed to have access to free online tax preparation services. But Free File is confusing and poorly publicized. Only about 3 percent of eligible tax returns over the last 16 years used the system.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Literacy push: L.A. libraries allow young people to read away their fines

    June 18, 2018 |

    The Christian Science Monitor |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

    After realizing that their system of fines for lost and late books was actually preventing kids and young people from reading more, L.A. libraries instituted a new program that's already showing results. The program, the Great Read Away, is an opportunity for kids to "read away" their fines, erasing $5 of the fine for each hour spent reading. "During the program’s first 11 months, young readers logged 1.6 million minutes of reading time, and 10,000 accounts were cleared completely of fines."

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Detroit's demolition program under fire for lack of diversity

    June 15, 2018 |

    Detroit Free Press |

    Text |

    Over 3000 Words

    Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

    Detroit had an opportunity to use its huge budget for demolitions to help minority-owned and Detroit-owned businesses, specifically by using Hardest Hit Fund federal dollars. However, the winning contractors largely were not as diverse or as local as many would have liked. Despite public outcry, the city continues to award contracts to large firms, maintaining the status quo stays. Their minimal efforts to change have not gone far enough, and locals are looking to states like Tennessee and South Carolina, hoping its leaders can learn from the success of others and bring more positive change to Detroit.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Cities are getting more crowded: better design could stop violence

    June 15, 2018 |

    Apolitical |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States

    Researchers found that more greenery in urban spaces reduces crime and this idea of combatting crime with good design is part of a discipline called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, or CPTED. It spread around the world, but there also downsides. A new generation of CPTED advocates are expanding the field to consider social factors underlying crime and engage with local communities when designing projects because just discouraging crime is not enough to make spaces inviting.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • How a Low-Tech Solution Helped Anchorage, Alaska's Gardeners

    June 13, 2018 |

    Slate |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Anchorage, Alaska

    Starting small has had a big impact in Anchorage, Alaska as the city looks at low-tech composting solutions that could alleviate their growing landfill problem. By revisiting a once-failed attempt to encourage composting, the local government found a way to not only build trust with the community, but also increase sustainability and resiliency efforts city-wide.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Australia's visas for seasonal workers: aid or exploitation?

    June 11, 2018 |

    Apolitical |

    Text |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: Australia

    The Seasonal Workers Program in Australia was implemented when there was a need to be met for more farming laborers. Although not without issue, the program is drawing many Pacific Islanders as a means for them to boost their incomes, while Australia ensures the labor they need to thrive.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Domestic violence: Police failed to ask 11 questions that might have saved Anako Lumumba

    June 06, 2018 |

    Burlington Free Press |

    Multi-Media |

    800-1500 Words

    Response Location: United States, Burlington, Vermont

    Lethality assessments have proven effective at avoiding domestic violence homicides and such a tool might have saved a Vermont woman who was murdered. The 11 questions help victims understand the danger they are in and also help law enforcement connect them with services. But officers in many counties in Vermont are either not using the tool or not doing it systematically even though an advocacy organization has pushed for its implementation and even when police chiefs embrace its use.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Could Vermont's new gun law have saved Anako Lumumba's life?

    June 06, 2018 |

    Burlington Free Press |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Burlington, Vermont

    Extreme risk protection orders can be effective in removing guns from dangerous people, but even though Vermont has such a law on the books, making it work effectively is difficult because it places most of the burden to prove the danger on the victim. Even if a risk protection order exists, law enforcement cannot take someone's guns if that person refuses unless they get a search warrant. The law's pitfalls were evident after the shooting death of a Burlington woman by her estranged partner.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

  • Domestic violence: Convictions are hard and the safety net has many holes

    June 06, 2018 |

    Burlington Free Press |

    Text |

    Under 800 Words

    Response Location: United States, Burlington, Vermont

    Vermont lawmakers tried to make it easier for domestic violence victims to seek a special type of restraining order even if law enforcement does not have enough evidence to make an arrest. If it's granted the accused abuser cannot contact the victim or possess guns, but there are many holes in the system that make getting a permanent order more challenging. Resources are tight although one officer to work part-time in the State Attorney's office to create more uniform policies around the state.

    Read More


    Go to Original Story

Go to All Solutions in Focus