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Library Systems Embracing Their New Roles As Social Service Hubs

Emily Nonko

January 22, 2019 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Public libraries are increasingly using their positions as accessible centers for information to address homelessness and mental health issues - in San Francisco, a team of Health and Safety Associates have helped place at least 130 patrons in stable housing. While adding social workers to their staff has helped libraries provide social services, the libraries have also focused on hiring people who have experiences homelessness or financial instability to fill those roles and act as peer mentors as well.

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Switzerland couldn't stop drug users. So it started supporting them.

Taylor Knopf

January 21, 2019 |

North Carolina Health News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Switzerland

By prioritizing treatment over law enforcement, Switzerland dramatically reduced its drug problem. In 1994, the country adopted a progressive policy to treat heroin addiction as a public health crisis, focusing on harm reduction, treatment, and prevention in addition to traditional law enforcement. The policy, which embraces medicated-assisted treatment and universal access to services, helped greatly reduce issues such as the incidence of HIV, drug overdoses, and deaths over the long-term.

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DOT hopes technology can turn wrong-way drivers around on NC highways

Adam Owens

January 18, 2019 |

WRAL-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Raleigh, North Carolina

The North Carolina Turnpike Authority is trying out new technology – sensored flashing lights – that will help alert drivers when they’re going the wrong way down highways. While still being tested, the technology has already prevented four cars from entering an expressway the wrong way. Beyond alerting the drivers, the technology also alerts the State Highway Patrol and State Traffic Operations Center with location information.

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Looking to Improve Students' Mental Health? Ask What They Need

Lily Jackson

January 18, 2019 |

The Chronicle of Higher Education |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

Colleges campuses are increasingly consulting students about the mental health services they want to see and expanding initiatives beyond the counseling center to all aspects of campus life. At Jefferson Community College in New York this means food pantries and nonprofit transportation services.

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Rent-a-sister: Coaxing Japan's young men out of their rooms

Amelia Martyn-Hemphill

January 18, 2019 |

BBC |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

In Japan, an organization called New Start employs women that help men who are withdrawn from society. These men, called hikikomori, are often experiencing mental health issues, and cannot leave their homes. That’s where New Start’s rent-a-sister program comes in. These women spend months, sometimes years, with these men, building trust, giving advice, and adjust to society. The organization also provide halfway houses for these men, with 80% successfully re-entering society as independent individuals.

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For the first time, Massachusetts cellphone users can text 911

John R. Ellement

January 16, 2019 |

The Boston Globe |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Massachusetts

After a successful test run, Massachusetts residents can now text 911 in the event of an emergency where it's too dangerous to call. Although there are limitations to this approach, known as the Next Generation 911 system, it greatly expands access for marginalized communities.

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How can cities engage their citizens? Museums can show the way

Anoush Darabi

January 16, 2019 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Aarhus

Taking its cue from digital engagement strategies of cultural institutions across Sweden, the Danish city of Aarhus, Denmark is making the redevelopment of an area called South Harbour more equitable and inclusive. Using "lab sessions," or structured discussion groups with actionable topics, the local entrepreneur heading up the project tests the ideas that come from the sessions on a small scale.

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How Tackling Loneliness Offers Hope for Britain's Struggling NHS

Sarah Neville

January 16, 2019 |

OZY |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Halifax, West Yorkshire

Cross collaboration efforts in Britain are targeting a loneliness problem in order to prevent and mitigate larger health issues. From peer support to interventions, programs across the country are focusing on increasing early-on access to mental health resources, which benefits community members and helps lower health care costs overall.

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Rutgers makes a push for competent Spanish-speaking health professionals in Camden

Jesenia De Moya Correa

January 15, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Camden, New Jersey

In Camden, New Jersey, 40 percent of the population 5 years or older speaks Spanish at home. However, only 5 percent of graduates from medical schools in the state identify as Hispanic or Latino. In an effort to shift these statistics and provide better care to the city's Spanish-speaking residents, Rutgers University requires undergraduates interested in health professions to take language classes and practice Spanish in a medical context.

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Durham County Dismisses Hundreds of Traffic Fines as Part of a License Restoration Effort

Sarah Willets

January 15, 2019 |

INDY Week |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

Durham County relieved hundreds of outstanding traffic fines in an effort to restore suspended driver's licenses. The program, called Durham Expungement and Restoration (DEAR), "identified more than 11,000 people eligible to have outstanding fines dropped" from charges resulting from court absence or inability to pay a traffic ticket.

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