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ROC and ROC Projects in the News

ROC in print and on radio, TV, and the web.

Hunger in California

August 22, 2023 Roots of Change

How hungry is California? Millions struggle to eat well in an abundant state

People experience food insecurity in different ways. Some families may only eat lesser quality food, while others may simply eat less.

Food insecurity can have long-term physical and mental health effects. Research shows that food-insecure children can experience developmental delays and have trouble learning language. Children also are more likely to fall sick, recover more slowly, and be hospitalized more often if their access to food is inconsistent, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Food-insecure adults face higher rates of obesitychronic illnessanxiety and depression.

Image credit: Max Böhme, Unsplash

You can read the full story on CalMatters.

What is the California Health Equity & Racial Justice Fund?

April 22, 2022 Roots of Change

The proposed HERJ fund would provide $100 million in annual funding to community-based groups, tribal organizations, and clinics to support marginalized communities.

 

You can read or see the full story on ABC 10.

Organizaciones piden fondos al gobernador de California para ayuda social

Roots of Change

Organizaciones comunitarias se manifestaron en el capitolio estatal para pedir al gobernador de California, Gavin Newsom, que incluya en el presupuesto más de $100 millones para atención médica igualitaria.

You can read the full story on Univision.

Advocates are pushing for a health equity and racial justice fund in California. Here’s what it would do.

Roots of Change

Genoveva Islas stood at the steps of the state Capitol Friday morning facing a crowd of dozens. She shouted: “El pueblo unido avanza sin partido.”

The crowd echoed her back: “The people united advance without parties.”

Islas founded the organization Cultiva La Salud, which is part of a coalition of 25 legislators, 11 co-sponsors and almost 200 organizations asking Gov. Gavin Newsom set aside at least $100 million in ongoing funding in his upcoming budget proposal for the Health Equity and Racial Justice Fund.

You can read the full story on Capradio.

Residentes del Valle quieren equidad en salud y justicia racial para sus comunidades

Roots of Change

Benita Vásquez quiere “equidad e igualdad en los seguros médicos”. Mientras que la pancarta de Maricela Sagrero dice “queremos igualdad y respeto. No a la discriminación”. Los mensajes de Vásquez y Sagrero son claros, ellas quieren equidad para su comunidad.

 

You can read the full story in the Fresno Bee.

Health Equity & Racial Justice Fund Rally in Los Angeles, April 19, 2022

April 20, 2022 Roots of Change

Coverage on KNX News Radio on the Health Equity & Racial Justice Fund Rally in Los Angeles, April 19, 2022

You can hear the full story on KNX News Radio.

Opinion: California Must Step Up to Address Racism as a Public Health Crisis

January 18, 2022 Roots of Change

Governor Gavin Newsom and other California lawmakers took an important step toward improved public safety and racial justice this fall by passing the CRISES Act to fund community-based emergency response programs.

Police violence disproportionately victimizes people experiencing mental health or substance use crises. Solutions such as the CRISES Act provide funding to community groups to respond to emergencies in ways that provide better care and reduce harm. Newsom vetoed the bill in 2020 even after police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd and nationwide protests brought widespread recognition to the often-fraught role of police as first responders.

Photo by James Rice/iStock

You can read the full story on California Health Report.

California, keep funding every part of public health

December 16, 2021 Roots of Change

By Assemblymember Jim Wood, and Genoveva Islas, Special to CalMatters and executive director of Cultiva la Salud.

State leaders should keep their promise and continue to support organizations that play a critical role in public health.

When Cultiva La Salud partnered with Saint Agnes Medical Center to deliver vaccines to farm laborers in rural Fresno County – where essential workers were placing their lives on the line to feed us despite growing infections and deaths – no one told them a nonprofit shouldn’t be promoting health in their community.

When the Ukiah Valley Conference Center volunteered to host an emergency vaccine clinic after a freezer failure at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, which meant vaccine doses needed to be administered immediately, no one said a conference center isn’t public health.

Image source: CalMatters

You can read the full story on CalMatters.

Commentary: Secretary Vilsack, don’t invest in a broken system

November 3, 2021 Roots of Change

I own a small on-farm USDA inspected red meat and poultry slaughter and processing plant. Each year, we raise, process and market as much as a million pounds of pastured pork and poultry.

As a small processor, a current and past member of USDA advisory committees, and as an industry advocate, I want the U.S.  Department of Agriculture to stand firm to its commitment to strengthen local and regional food systems and support U.S. farmers and ranchers. Existing small scale processors are essential to this goal, but need urgent support.

You can read the full story on Capital Press.