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.
2200
https://www.boulderweekly.com/entertainment/rewriting-the-narrative?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Angela K. Evans
Boulder Weekly
16 January 2020
Text / 1500-3000 Words
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://chalkbeat.org/posts/detroit/2020/01/16/visiting-days-how-a-detroit-high-school-extends-its-family-feel-by-sticking-with-graduates-through-college?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Lori Higgins
Chalkbeat
16 January 2020
Text / Over 3000 Words
At Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit, the support of the high school doesn't stop at graduation. Staff at the school follow up with alumni at their new campuses to make sure they are on track and connect them with the resources they need to succeed, whether academic, financial, or social.
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
Text / 1500-3000 Words
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://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2020/01/14/vermont-donor-milk-center-provides-parents-breastfeed-donate-breast-milk/2823534001?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
April Barton
Burlington Free Press
13 January 2020
Text / 800-1500 Words
Vermont has opened its first donor milk center which acts as a breast milk bank for mothers that are in need of milk for their newborn babies. The Vermont Donor Milk Center aims to be a "one-stop shop," and also offers lactation consultation, maternal education, and supports for non-lactating partners.
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
Text / 800-1500 Words
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
Text / 1500-3000 Words
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.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
Text / 1500-3000 Words
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.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.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/posts/us/2020/01/08/more-charter-operators-are-offering-a-plan-b-to-alumni-who-drop-out-of-traditional-college-will-it-work?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Kalyn Belsha
Chalkbeat
8 January 2020
Text / 1500-3000 Words
In addition to encouraging students to pursue higher education, charter school networks have started to follow up with alumni who end up dropping out of college, offering them alternative paths to a degree, such as online classes.
http://yr.media/news/how-philadelphia-flipped-second-chances-for-youth?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Zari Tarazona
YR Media
8 January 2020
Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words
Philadelphia has made a concerted effort toward reducing the number of youth being arrested in schools. Leadership, including the school police commissioner and district attorney, changed procedures so that youth, instead of getting arrested, are enrolled in diversion programs instead. While there’s been pushback from some law enforcement, early studies have pointed to a decline in arrests without a decline in safety.
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