ProGov21 Policy Library

Creating a Healthy Food Zone Around Schools

Type Fact Sheet or Infographic

Year 2009

Level County

State(s) All States

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Health, Children & Families, Democracy & Governance, Food, Economic Justice, Civil Rights, Education, Community Development, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility

Many schools are surrounded by fast food restaurants, which provide students with easy access to unhealthy foods and undermine schools' efforts to offer nutritious meals. Prohibiting fast food restaurants from locating near schools is one strategy to help reduce childhood obesity...

Mental Health and the Role of the States

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2015

Level State

State(s) All States

Source The Pew Charitable Trusts

Policy Areas Health, Housing, Public Safety, Children & Families, Education, Economic Justice, Civil Rights

Millions of Americans have one or more forms of mental illness. These conditions have wide-ranging health, economic, and social consequences. For example, mental illness is a major factor in homelessness and incarceration. And serious mental illness - defined as a mental, behavioral,...

Addressing Health Disparities in Cities: Lessons from the Field

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2015

Level County

State(s) All States

Source Mayors Innovation Project

Policy Areas Health, Children & Families, Democracy & Governance, Food, Environment & Natural Resources, Economic Justice, Civil Rights, Education, Community Development, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility

A child's health is a key predictor for his or her future success and well-being. Unfortunately, far too many children face barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential because of where they live, learn and play. The inequitable distribution of social, economic and...

LGBTQ Criminal Justice Reform

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States

Source National Center for Transgender Equality

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Public Safety

Incarceration is inherently traumatic, dehumanizing, and harmful. It imposes tremendous costs on individuals, their loved ones, and our communities. Fortunately, there is much that LGBTQ advocates can do to combat the crisis of mass incarceration that disproportionately affects poor...

Declining Childhood Obesity Rates: Where Are We Seeing Signs of Progress?

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2016

Level County

State(s) All States

Source Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Policy Areas Health, Children & Families, Food

After increasing steadily for decades, the national childhood obesity rate has leveled off. This policy brief examines reports from across the country to learn more about where progress is being made to address childhood obesity....

Police-Mental Health Collaboration Programs: Checklist for County and City Leaders

Type Fact Sheet or Infographic

Year 2016

Level County

State(s) All States

Source Justice Center

Policy Areas Health, Public Safety

Law enforcement responses to people with mental illnesses are among the most complex and time-consuming calls for officers, threaten the safety of officers and residents alike, and have the potential for tragic outcomes. Law enforcement and behavioral health agency leaders across...

A Way Forward: Diverting People with Mental Illness from Inhumane and Expensive Jails into Community-Based Treatment that Works

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2014

Level County

State(s) All States, California

Source American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California

Policy Areas Health, Public Safety, Education, Economic Justice, Civil Rights

This report examines how Los Angeles County can reduce incarceration for individuals with mental illness by implementing diversion programs together with supportive housing and assertive community treatment (ACT) programs. These programs have been shown to reduce recidivism. This...

First-Episode Incarceration: Creating a Recovery-Informed Framework for Integrated Mental Health and Criminal Justice Responses

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2016

Level County

State(s) All States

Source Vera Institute of Justice

Policy Areas Health, Public Safety, Democracy & Governance

The report examines the state of intervention practices for individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system and the limitations of current practice. It calls for new approaches focused on prevention, early intervention, comprehensive care, and recovery-oriented practice...