Attacking Root Causes

Thousands of Complaints Do Little to Change Police Ways

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/us/derek-chauvin-george-floyd.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Shaila Dewan

Serge Kovaleski

The New York Times

30 May 2020

Text / 1500-3000 Words

Derek Chauvin's journey through the Minneapolis Police Department’s officer-disciplinary system illustrates the weaknesses of that system and the failure of efforts to fix it. Chauvin, the officer charged in the death of George Floyd, survived at least 17 misconduct complaints before he was fired for killing Floyd by kneeling on his neck. Critics charge the department never complied with recommendations by federal analysts to improve the tracking and disciplining of problem officers. That and other administrative failures are coupled with political and cultural barriers to neuter many reform ideas.

How Kerala managed to flatten the coronavirus curve

https://www.equaltimes.org/how-kerala-managed-to-flatten-the?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Oscar Espinosa

Laura Fornell

Equal Times

29 May 2020

Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words

The local government in Kerala implemented swift and aggressive measures to contain the coronavirus, within three days of learning that China was experiencing an outbreak. The success of the state is largely due to the way the government functions under the "Kerala model," which is a culmination of "decades of progressive politics and an egalitarian development strategy." Although the curve has been flattened, there are still significant socio-economic ramifications that are posing a challenge to recovery.

Covid-19: The government officials only visit our shacks when they want our votes, not when we need food

http://kizola.co.za/covid-19?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Antonio Capalandanda

#Kizola

29 May 2020

Text / Over 3000 Words

South Africa took decisive steps to contain the spread of Covid-19, including closing borders, requiring strict social distancing, and making screening and testing available nationwide. The lock-down, however, made citizens who already lacked money, food, and access to clean water more insecure. Social services increased in some areas, but not enough to provide sufficient food and secure access to clean water to those who needed it. Some local organizations, such as the KASI Arts School & Rehabilitation Centre, shifted their operations to supply food to their local communities, but many remain in need.

Before George Floyd's Death, Minneapolis Police Failed to Adopt Reforms, Remove Bad Officers

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/05/28/before-george-floyd-s-death-minneapolis-police-failed-to-adopt-reforms-remove-bad-officers?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Simone Weichselbaum

Jamiles Lartey

The Marshall Project

28 May 2020

Text / 1500-3000 Words

The Minneapolis Police Department’s repeated failures to reform a broken police-discipline system underscore the lack of public trust that exploded in local and nationwide protests after an officer with a troubled record killed a handcuffed suspect. An analysis of police-reform efforts in the city, and statewide, show how vows to do better have been undermined by official reluctance to remove bad officers from duty, either through administrative or legislative failure. Among the unaddressed problems: a "coaching" system that allows officers to avoid suspension but is riddled with problems.

'We're Not Optional': Aid Organizations at the Border Adapt to the Pandemic

https://sojo.net/articles/were-not-optional-aid-organizations-border-adapt-pandemic?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Megan Janetsky

Sojourners

28 May 2020

Text / 800-1500 Words

To continue serving tens of thousands of refugees stuck at the U.S.-Mexico border during the pandemic, shelters have collaborated on an improvised system to deliver food aid, emergency hotel accommodations, and legal aid via videoconferencing. The border buildup of recent months, a product of the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” asylum policy, became a far more complicated humanitarian mission thanks to COVID-19. After completely shutting down, some shelters are cautiously reopening with new protocols to serve a more socially-distanced clientele.

This Nonprofit Helps Small Business Aid Go Where it Usually Doesn't

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/this-nonprofit-helps-small-business-aid-go-where-it-usually-doesnt?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Oscar Perry Abello

Next City

21 May 2020

Text / 1500-3000 Words

An American nonprofit called the Community Reinvestment Fund expands access to small business loans by partnering with almost two dozen groups across the country to set up and scale up their community development lending. Founded in 1988, the group essentially takes on the risk of a SBA license so that others could benefit from their license. They created an online platform called Spark that redesigned the user interface of the existing loan processor platform to better facilitate the exchange of money. They have now supported loans for 1,000 communities across 49 states.

As Europe comes out of lockdown, what lessons can be learned from Sweden?

http://www.thelocal.se/20200520/as-europe-comes-out-of-lockdown-what-lessons-can-be-learned-from-sweden?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Catherine Edwards

The Local

20 May 2020

Text / Over 3000 Words

Sweden’s refusal to enact strict lockdown rules turned out to be far from an unqualified success, but in both its failures and modest benefits it offers lessons on managing through a pandemic while minimizing economic harm. The country’s responses were more nuanced and detailed than a simple hands-off approach. Its economy has not been spared a severe downturn, nor is its death toll anything to brag about. But, in numerous ways, Sweden’s softer approach lives up to its billing as more sustainable than many other countries’.

Helping Tenants and Landlords Resolve Issues — Before Going to Court

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/helping-tenants-and-landlords-resolve-issues-before-going-to-court?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Jared Brey

Next City

19 May 2020

Text / 800-1500 Words

The city of Philadelphia piloted a mediation program that showed how landlord-tenant disputes could be resolved short of an eviction lawsuit. Though the program only lasted two months and heard just a handful of cases, it demonstrated that landlords will participate voluntarily in a system that can equalize a power imbalance and resolve disputes in ways that prove less damaging to both parties. Demand for the mediation program could ramp up if an expected wave of evictions hits because of the pandemic's effects on the economy.

Jail-based Competency Restoration

https://vimeo.com/419678311?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Josh Hinkle

KXAN-TV

17 May 2020

Video / 3-5 Minutes

Experts, advocates, and lawmakers are working within the Texas prison system to help individuals experiencing incarceration access mental health care. A promising practice has been the use of telepsychiatry, or virtual therapy, which has seen a nearly 50% success rate. While efforts are being made, it’s being done in pieces and without scaled, statewide support.

Outpatient Competency Restoration

https://vimeo.com/419676928?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker

Arezow Doost

KXAN-TV

17 May 2020

Video / 3-5 Minutes

In Texas’ Travis County, a mental health court is helping divert people out of the criminal justice system and into treatment and outpatient programs. The collaborative process gives individuals the opportunity for rehabilitation, and upon completion, the chance to have their case dismissed. This approach has seen a 42% success rate, showing a decrease in recidivism and increased connection to treatment facilities.