Blog Archive

August has been a month of building bridges through impactful partnerships to drive real-world change. Our team is excited to announce a new collaboration with SDSU’s Project Rebound to support formerly incarcerated students, featuring an innovative approach to juvenile justice reform centered on HOPE-informed solutions and TREC trauma-resilience. We’re also thrilled to welcome our newest SPI Associate, Marc Mannes, former…

SPI is excited to recognize several milestones this June, including meaningful connections from the most recent San Diego HOPE Network Convening, as well as the second annual CEAL Spring Symposium. Learn about our new resources below, including the launch of a monthly newsletter, In the Loop, to support individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their families, and a…

Black and Latino youth are significantly overrepresented in the juvenile justice system. In San Diego County, Black youth are incarcerated at 13 times the rate of white youth. These disparities demand systemic change. A new issue brief, “Pathways to Equity: An Innovative Approach to Juvenile Justice Reform,” developed by SPI Juvenile Justice intern Jessica Laing and Program Manager Yvonne Epps, urges…

During times of workforce uncertainty and market changes, burnout among managers and staff can dramatically increase. The increased pressure to maintain the same levels of productivity and growth even during times of difficulty sets unrealistic expectations for employees and leads to declining outputs and mental health concerns. As mentioned in the article “Leadership in the Storm: Why You Need an…

During the 2025 Statewide Prevention Convening, Dr. Bob Sege drew connections between the Integrated Core Practice Model (ICPM) and the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) Framework. ICPM is California’s Blueprint for systems and practice change, and many counties across the state are actively integrating it across their human services foundational training and evidence-based practices. A major part of the…

Why do some individuals experience more positive health outcomes than others? The answer lies not only in genetics, personal choices, or luck, but rather a complex mix of factors within the circumstances of a person’s life. Though an individual may do all the “right things” to stay healthy, such as getting regular check-ups and eating well, conditions in one’s external…

In this day and age, self-care and mindfulness are often be the last thing on many of our minds. One of the reasons many of us shy away from practicing self-care is a misunderstanding of what it is – it isn’t only limited to warm baths or binge watching a TV show. True self-care comes from organizational systems that are…

This April, the Social Policy Institute is celebrating exciting milestones , including the announcement of our San Diego HOPE Training Hub, upcoming CEAL Spring Symposium and Webinars, and a new Service, Access, and Equity (SAE) project through the California Department of Developmental Services. We also join partners and communities in the national recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month by highlighting…

With the new year in full swing, our team at the Social Policy Institute is steadfast in continuing to uphold pillars of collaboration and community-centered care through all we do. We are deeply committed to identifying solutions to the challenges faced by communities with the greatest need. Encouraging resiliency in the face of adversity is part of the work we…

Young adults ages 18-25 experience a significant period of identity development and expression that is either nurtured or hindered by their proximity to positive community resources (PCRs) (Child Trends, 2025). For young Black individuals, new research has highlighted the effects of racial inequities on their ability to reliably access these PCRs. Within the broader context of positive experiences for young…