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…
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…
Reasonable Suspicion Requires Reasonable Action: The Courage to Think Critically Before You Report In a LinkedIn article, SPI Director Lori Clarke shared insights on how to interpret mandated reporting laws accurately and responsibly through “reasonable action.” “The Prevention Early Intervention Committee of the California Child Welfare Council is poised to lead comprehensive change in the reporting of child abuse and…
The Social Policy Institute is thrilled to share this celebratory announcement from the Mandated Reporting to Community Supporting (MRCS) Task Force: On September 4, 2024, the voting members of the California Child Welfare Council (CWC) unanimously approved the MRCS Task Force Report, and also requested that an implementation strategy to advance the Recommendations of the Task Force be created in…
What we say to ourselves impacts our choices and behavior. What we say to others can influence their choices and actions. Imagine the outcomes if we managed to shift our mindset and narrative toward prioritizing kids! A new narrative is essential to shift societal beliefs and behaviors toward supporting families and communities in safely caring for their children. New research…
Welcome to SPI’s March Newsletter! This month, we continue our HOPE at SDSU Building Block Series, share main highlights from the Statewide Collaborative Prevention Convening, and introduce a new CEAL “In-Home Care” blog series. Click here to read the full newsletter.
Child welfare services are notoriously difficult to navigate through, often because of the amount of programs available combined with the specific needs of families to be intentionally matched to these programs. The university of Chicago’s Chapin Hall has launched a NEW “Evidence-Based Practice Desk Guide” helps to combat this issue, by indexing 17 programs of the U.S. Department of Health…
A new K2A has been developed that covers the need to build “Wellness Systems” throughout continued prevention efforts. The SPI Child Welfare/Wellness Systems team has been involved with Ventura County as well as San Diego County for several years on a journey that has contributed to both counties reimagining their Child Welfare Services work. Read the full K2A here for…