Solving problems by addressing the underlying factors. By digging deep and attacking the root causes of a problem, changemakers are able to treat the disease rather than just the symptoms. These solutions offer help to those in need, employ a comprehensive approach to problem-solving, and address the determinants that keep individuals and communities from succeeding.
Treating underlying conditions, specifically those that are structural and systemic that cause social problems. These issues arise as a consequence from the way a society is organized. For example, a solution that addresses patriarchy or a lack of jobs in a poor neighborhood.
Help rather than punishmentThinking of behaviors such as addiction as diseases that require treatment.
Using a comprehensive approachProviding people with services that address multiple challenges at once.
1881
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3kxqmv/a-new-generation-of-students-is-teaching-us-how-to-reduce-e-waste?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Madeleine Gregory
Vice
23 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
The company, iFixit, is training college students to repair electronics and then create manuals so that others can do the same. The company has helped students make more than 30,000 guides and reaches 1.5 million users every month. iFixit partners with colleges and universities to with the hopes of teaching students about the importance of sustainable engineering.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/prizes-for-not-doing-drugs-a-treatment-that-works-but-isnt-used-much?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Scott Greenstone
The Seattle Times
22 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Rewarding patients for sobriety greatly increases the likelihood for recovery. The approach of contingency management creates new behaviors through incentives instead of punishment. Through the Seattle Department of Veteran’s Affairs, patients in an addiction program who test negative get to draw a prize and accumulate rewards the longer they stay sober. This alternative form of treatment has proven effective in boosting patient participation—and success—in addiction programs at the Seattle VA.
https://coloradosun.com/2019/08/20/police-not-counselors-respond-when-suicidal-teens-call-safe2tell-for-help-utah-may-have-a-better-way?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
John Frank
The Colorado Sun
20 August 2019
Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words
In 2016, Utah debuted SafeUT, a streamlined crisis center with on-call mental health specialists that students can call or text about potential threats to schools or personal mental health concerns. SafeUT was borne out of a recognition for more preventative and mental health services, and was inspired by Colorado’s Safe2Tell initiative. Now, as Colorado seeks to iterate on their state initiatives, they’re looking to SafeUT’s streamlined approach as a model for improvement.
https://thecity.nyc/2019/08/reimagining-new-york-jails-without-solitary-confinement.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Reuven Blau
Rosa Goldensohn
The City
19 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Solitary confinement was once thought of as one of the only effective punishments for violent prison inmates. As more research surfaces showing the severe damage it does to mental health, the racial bias of those placed in solitary, and its relative ineffectiveness, more cities, like New York City, are exploring alternatives to the relatively inhumane practice. In places like Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco, rather than invoking a punitive approach, they’re offering positive reinforcement – and seeing positive results.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/amberjamieson/nypd-suicide-crisis?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Amber Jamieson
Buzzfeed
16 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
California’s Los Angeles Police Department has built mental health into its force. The department has 16 psychologists on staff, offering free counseling and debrief sessions after traumatic incidents. As the New York Police Department faces an increase in officer suicides, it looks to the LAPD as it rolls out its new suicide prevention initiatives, like a mental health app, mental health insurance, and access to counseling.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/colorado-looks-medical-marijuana-ease-opioid-crisis-n1035541?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Daliah Singer
NBC News
2 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
States are looking for solutions to the nationwide opioid crisis, and marijuana may be one answer to that search. Two states, with a third on the way, are recommending medical marijuana in place of opioids to both reduce addiction and "normalize the conversation around the issue."
https://www.the-daily-record.com/news/20190729/lack-of-space-limits-recovery-mental-health-services-in-wayne-county-jail?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Tami Mosser
The Daily Record
29 July 2019
Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words
In Ohio’s Wayne County Jail, people serving sentences can access CADET, which stands for Chemical Addiction/Dependency, Education and Therapy program. With nearly 20% of Wayne County bookings involving drug-related offenses, CADET provides participants with the support they need to overcome addiction, including cognitive behavioral treatment, crisis assessment, and case management. The program is offered in partnership with the nonprofit, OneEighty, and is often part of the term’s of some individual sentences.
https://fox11online.com/news/health-news/the-new-addiction-green-bay-police-carrying-narcan-to-combat-opioid-overdoses?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Mike Murad
Fox11 News
28 July 2019
Broadcast TV News / Under 3 Minutes
When an individual has overdosed on opioids, there is a very limited amount of time to save their life which is why law enforcement officers in Green Bay, Wisconsin are now carrying Narcan nasal spray. “It’s a lifesaver,” says Green Bay Police Chief Andrew Smith. “I think just about probably everybody that we gave Narcan to would probably have died had we not been there to give them the Narcan.”
https://www.kshb.com/news/safe-kc/kcpd-crisis-intervention-team-provides-alternative-to-jail-for-mentally-ill?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Kevin Holmes
KSHB
26 July 2019
Multi-Media / Under 3 Minutes
Kansas City’s Police Department has created a Crisis Intervention Unit with the goal of broadening their outreach and engagement with individuals with mental illnesses. Rather than send them through the criminal justice system, officers involved in this unit instead help them access the care, support, and treatment they need.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/25/health/california-medical-student-loans.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Emily S. Rueb
Karen Zraick
The New York Times
25 July 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
California is offering up to $300,000 of debt relief to doctors who accept Medicaid in an attempt to incentivize physicians to move to the state and serve low-income communities. The program is funded through revenue from the state's tax on tobacco products and has helped 247 physicians and 4o dentists so far.
Help us grow our database of solutions stories! Please enter the following information. Our staff will review the story, and if it meets our criteria (see below), it will be added to the Solutions Story Tracker®.
If you want to get notified when your story is added, register or login before submitting stories here.
Great suggestion! So great, that we already have that story listed in the Solutions Story Tracker®. View it here.
It may take a few weeks to see your piece in the Solutions Story Tracker®, as we have a backlog of submissions longer than Ben Hur that we’re diligently working to eliminate. We appreciate your patience.
Our issue area taxonomy was adapted from the PCS Taxonomy with definitions by the Foundation Center, which is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 International License.
Photos are licensed under Attribution Non Commercial 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license / Desaturated from original, and are credited to the following photographers:
Fondriest Environmental, David De Wit / Community Eye Health, Linda Steil / Herald Post, John Amis / UGA College of Ag & Environmental Sciences – OCCS, Andy B, Peter Garnhum, Thomas Hawk, 7ty9, Isriya Paireepairit, David Berger, UnLtd The Foundation For Social Entrepreneurs, Michael Dunne, Burak Kebapci, and Forrest Berkshire / U.S. Army Cadet Command public affairs
Photos are licensed under Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license, and are credited to the following photographers:
Ra'ed Qutena, 段 文慶, Fabio Campo, City Clock Magazine, Justin Norman, scarlatti2004, Gary Simmons, Kathryn McCallum, and Nearsoft Inc
Photos are licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons license / Desaturated from original, and are credited to the following photographers:
Burak Kebapci and SCY.
Photos are licensed under Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) and are credited to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Conference attendee listening to speaker, Jenifer Daniels / Colorstock getcolorstock.com.
Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Sonia Narang