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Colorado's trailblazing Safe2Tell system needs significant upgrades, lawmakers say

John Frank

August 20, 2019 |

The Colorado Sun |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Salt Lake City, Utah

In 2016, Utah debuted SafeUT, a streamlined crisis center with on-call mental health specialists that students can call or text about potential threats to schools or personal mental health concerns. SafeUT was born out of a recognition for more preventative and mental health services, and was inspired by Colorado’s Safe2Tell initiative. Now, as Colorado seeks to iterate on their state initiatives, they’re looking to SafeUT’s streamlined approach as a model for improvement.

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Cell data giving 911 dispatchers more accurate locations

Connor Hansen

July 01, 2019 |

KTUL-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Enid, Oklahoma

The Enid, Oklahoma police department has started using a service called RapidSOS to locate 911 calls coming from cell phones. Without the service, tracking where these calls come from can be a challenge, but RapidSOS allows them to access caller data, like what WiFi they’re on, to accurately pinpoint their location.

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'A tidal wave of problems': texting on the mental health frontline

Robert Booth

June 10, 2019 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, London, England

Communicating with volunteers via text message can be less intimating for young people than dialing a hotline. Mental Health Innovations, a UK-based charity, operates the Shout text hotline. The service is part of an initiative supported by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge mental health campaign. Those suffering from depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts can simply text the resource to connect with a volunteer.

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New Salmon-Challis Smartphone App Lets Users Take Forest Information On The Go

Monica Gokey

May 09, 2019 |

NPR |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Salmon, Idaho

Visitors to the Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho can now access the wealth of information in a guidebook with the convenience of a smartphone app. The app, which contains valuable information on history, visitor stops, trailheads, and camp sites, will be especially helpful in much of the national forest where cell phone coverage is spotty.

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Behavioural science and nudges could make kids better readers

Amar Diwakar

April 23, 2019 |

Apolitical |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom

Enrolling parents in simple, scalable ways can improve early child learning outcomes. Building on a model used in the US state of California, firms in the UK are developing an SMS-based curriculum geared toward parents of children entering kindergarten. The method involves sending parents text messages that explain short, easy tasks that both instruct and motivate children, encouraging positive cognitive and behavioral development.

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Tech for Turnout

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

April 17, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Illinois

High tech tools offer low cost ways to reach many voters and mobilize turnout, especially in mid term elections. From applications that allow campaigns to deliver personal text messages to hundreds of people at once, to new digital platforms for online polling and campaign management, many of the successful campaigns launched across the country during and after 2016 have leveraged these tech innovations to engage with voters.

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Anyone Who Needs Help Seeing Has 2 Million Pairs of Eyes Available With This App

Monica Humphries

April 17, 2019 |

NationSwell |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Denmark

Using the camera of a smartphone, individuals who are blind or visually impaired can receive quick and easy help from volunteers. The Danish company, Be My Eyes uses a smartphone application to connect those who are blind or visually impaired to an international network of sighted volunteers ready to assist. The on-demand access to assistance provides visually impaired individuals with more independence in their daily lives.

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Use of Safe2Tell, created in response to Columbine, is growing as front line tool in school safety

Kevin Simpson

April 11, 2019 |

The Colorado Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

What started as a telephone tip line, Colorado’s anonymous tip program, Safe2Tell has now become an app that is publicly funded and part of the Attorney General’s office. The program gives students a way to report potentially dangerous situations they hear about or read online. While Safe2Tell does receive some false reports, overall, it has bolstered a sense of trust and protection in schools across the state.

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A.I. Joins the Campaign Against Sex Trafficking

Tina Rosenberg

April 09, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Online buyers of sex now have a great chance of running into the NYPD's latest initiative to combat trafficking amongst prostitution: a chatbot called Freedom Signal. Originated by an organization called Seattle Against Slavery, this bot collects solicitors' phone numbers and warns them of arrest, as well as using strategically-placed ads and text conversations with real trafficking survivors. The bot is 1,200% more productive than a full-time staff, 10 times more effective than on-the-street outreach, is currently being used in 13 cities, and makes buyers 50-80% less likely to be caught a second time.

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Inside the Crowdfunded Charity Helping Refugees by Topping Up Their Phones

Alissa Greenberg

March 20, 2019 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: France, Calais

For many refugees living in camps and on the move, mobile phones can be a life line to families and the outside world. Phones can help organize political activities, arrange medical supplies, and so much more. But although SIM cards are fairly cheap now, data can be expensive. To address this, a Facebook group called Phone Credit for Refugees and Displaced People, or PC4R, raises funds for refugees to top up their mobile phones to support free and dignified communication.

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