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 poverty-related conditions that cause health or education problems. For example, instead of just treating asthma, helping the child get housing that doesn't make the disease worse.
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.
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https://www.alaskapublic.org/2018/03/28/changing-the-mindset-of-the-healthcare-system?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Anne Hillman
Alaska Public Media
28 March 2018
Radio / 5-15 Minutes
Alaska’s Southcentral Foundation has implemented “integrated” primary care which brings together a patient’s primary care and behavioral health providers as well as navigators, legal assistance, and nutritionists all within the same “wellness team.” This model helps providers view the patient holistically and improves the coordination of care among different providers.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2018/03/28/596073164/youth-farm-in-hawaii-is-growing-food-and-leaders?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Dakota Kim
NPR
28 March 2018
Text / 800-1500 Words
An impoverished corner of Hawaii may not sound like the foundation of a successful agriculture endeavor, but local youth have proved otherwise. MA'O translating into youth food garden aims to show college-aged youth a way onto a different path by teaching them sustainable and organic farm practices alongside lessons in how to be leaders in all areas of life.
http://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/ideas-we-should-steal-threat-assessment-teams?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
The Philadelphia Citizen
26 March 2018
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Increasingly, schools are using threat assessment teams to prevent shootings. Composed of school and law enforcement officials, the groups direct potentially dangerous students to appropriate resources. One study found no racial bias in the process compared to zero tolerance policies that show significant disparities. Threat assessment teams are also unique in their intent to address all gun violence: "Spending money to prevent kids from getting to that point can have ripple effects outside of the school walls as well—in reducing violence on the street, and treating the trauma that precedes it."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p061bqk7?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Tom Colls
BBC
20 March 2018
Radio / Over 15 Minutes
The “pathways” model of care brings together a multi-discipline team to improve the care of homeless patients in-hospital by addressing immediate needs and ensuring that they are not discharged without a place to stay.
https://apolitical.co/solution_article/munich-teaches-women-how-to-run-a-startup-while-having-a-family?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Odette Chalaby
Apolitical
19 March 2018
Text / 800-1500 Words
Starting a business is a daunting task for anyone, but women often face the additional barrier of caring for a family at the same time as launching a company. Guide is a Munich-based consulting service that has provided education, resources, and training to over 5000 female founders to help their companies succeed.
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2018/03/18/addicts-help-downriver-police-agencies/436500002?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
LeAnne Rogers
Detroit Free Press
18 March 2018
Text / Under 800 Words
Studies have found that addicts are more likely to seek help at police stations than at hospitals, but many and police agencies and officers are unequipped to send a person with an addiction to treatment instead of jail. Hope Not Handcuffs, a non-profit based in Southeast Michigan, is hoping to change that and has connected almost 1,000 people to treatment in more than 40 Michigan communities.
https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/03/womens-homelessness-is-a-growing-problemdenver-is-pioneering-a-solution.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Jennifer Oldham
Slate
15 March 2018
Text / 800-1500 Words
Denver’s Women’s Homelessness Initiative (WHI) is unique because it is the only church-based shelter program in the country that offers housing for women throughout the entire year. By giving women a place to stay off the streets, they are safer and have a better chance at getting back on their feet, aided by a subsidized housing program for formerly homeless people.
https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/news/local/solutions-journalism/2018/03/09/helping-montgomery-families-initiative-seeks-comprehensive-approach-truancy-suspensions/407672002?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Melissa Brown
The Montgomery Advertiser
9 March 2018
Text / 800-1500 Words
Inspired by Mobile, Alabama's own program, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is implementing a crime prevention program that identifies students missing school and intervenes with informational meetings and home visits. Since the Mobile program began in 2003, over 4,000 children have benefited from the services. District Attorney Daryl Bailey noted, "It’s a proactive program in terms of law enforcement, which is unusual."
https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/07/us/iyw-san-diego-homeless-workers-trnd/index.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Christopher Dawson
CNN
7 March 2018
Text / Under 800 Words
High school junior Kevin Barber became aware of a program that was helping the homeless find work in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Inspired by it and what he knew of the homeless population in his hometown, Barber decided to try to implement a similar program in San Diego. He and his mom reached out to city government and before long implemented "Wheels of Change," a program that pays the homeless to help clean up the streets they were once sleeping on.
http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2018/03/reading_writing_evicted_how_au.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Bethany Barnes
Oregon Live
1 March 2018
Text / 1500-3000 Words
When families are priced out of their homes in hot housing markets because of increasing property values/rental prices, they often have to move to new educational districts, pulling children out of their schools in the middle of the year and stalling progress. In Austin, the Austin Independent School District is using a new tool, Mobility Blueprint, to help families find affordable housing within their educational district.
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