The History of SPI
The Social Policy Institute (SPI) is a nonprofit affiliate of the School of Social Work at San Diego State University. Our mission is to bridge academia with government, business, and the community to increase individual, family and community well-being. We strive to be a dynamic catalyst for improving the community’s well-being by bridging academia and community knowledge through training, technical assistance, program design, research, advocacy, and collaboration.
Timeline
2015
- Social Policy Institute activated under new Leadership – Steve Hornberger, NASW Pioneer, SDSU Faculty
2016
- Lori Clarke joins SPI as Co-Director, launching focus on older adults
- SPI transforms California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Statewide Training Academy
- SPI initiates partnership with the CAP Center (Sacramento) and Children’s Bureau (Los Angeles) to become Strategies 2.0, a statewide technical assistance provider funded by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention to build capacity for the Family Strengthening field
2017
- SPI is part of design team for Breaking Barriers Toolkit for building a system of care: Shared Governance, Shared Data, Shared Finance and Shared Community
- California Child Welfare Council adopts Operations Manual developed by SPI
- Priority Access to Services and Supports (PASS) Beta test in Ventura County is a success, exceeding expectations
- Statewide Disability Awareness training features IHSS Partners as Co-Presenters
2018
- SPI implements an integrated learning system for the statewide IHSS Training Academy
- Board Fellows, developed and led by SPI as a collaboration between SDSU’s School of Social Work and Fowler Business School to build capacity in local non-profit Board of Directors, receives Provost Award for Excellence
2019
- Livable La Mesa Action Plan, a result of SPI’s technical assistance to the City of La Mesa, is approved by City Council
- San Diego Age-Friendly Communities Initiative launched; Blueprint developed
- Strategies 2.0 Statewide Integrated Learning System completed with final report showing evidence of increased knowledge, newly acquired skills, and renewed motivation.
- Project Launch of BeHealth using a human-centered design (HCD) approach to innovate behavioral health
- Building Community Resilience Toolkit 4-part series developed and launched by SPI
2020
- SPI launches ACEs Aware for Communications and Network of Care in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics – Chapter 3 and the YMCA of San Diego
- SPI completes and releases the Child & Family Wellness Landscape Scan completed for Partners in Prevention
- SPI develops and publishes the Best Practice Guidelines for CAPCs (Child Abuse Prevention Councils)
- SPI becomes a finalist in SDSU’s BIG Idea challenge
- SPI develops and implements the Faith-based Behavioral Health Training Academy for Stepping Higher, Inc.
2021
- Under SPI’s leadership, SDSU joins the international network of Age-Friendly Universities (AFUs)
- Based on the BIG Idea, the Center of Excellence for Aging & Longevity (CEAL) becomes reality
- Learnings from SPI’s ACEs Aware Network of Care project are integrated into the county-wide Partners in Prevention collaborative
2022
- SPI, in partnership with Richard Knecht and our Ventura County partners, led the rollout of the Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM). Developed ICPM curriculum specific for Ventura County and convened county trainers to build local capacity and deliver ICPM training.
- CEAL continues to grow its focus to catalyze efforts to meet the current and emerging challenges of healthy aging across the lifespan through collaboration and community engagement.
- City of Chula Vista completes their AFC action plan with the support of CEAL, and develops Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) protocols
- At the request of Health Net and the San Diego Workforce Partnership, SPI developed and facilitated a 30-hour training to prepare community members for the onboarding process as community care/community health coordinators
2023
- SPI serves on the state’s Citizen Review Panel (CRP) and Mandated Reporting to Community Supporting (MRCS) Task Force’ Project Management Team, spearheaded by co-director Lori Clarke SPI Wellness System and Prevention team worked with both San Diego and Ventura Counties to develop and submit their Comprehensive Prevention Plans (CPP)
- Justice, Liberty, and Belonging (JLB) Learning Series developed by SPI, in partnership with the San Diego Regional Center (SDRC), as a result of the growing awareness of the evolving needs of families and communities for equitable access to antiracist services and supports
- In May 2023, CEAL introduced the San Diego Caregiver Connections (SDCC) initiative, a comprehensive program designed to strengthen, diversify, and expand the caregiver community, serving over 550 participants in 6 months.
- The HOPE at SDSU kickoff was held on campus at SDSU with HOPE architect Dr. Bob Sege, reaching students, staff, and community partners to envision the opportunity to transform and unite SDSU resources through HOPE.
- Age-Friendly Communities’ Action Plans were developed and approved for Imperial Beach and Solana Beach.