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| Public Health |
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Using high production values and professional actors, the Boston Public Health Commission has debuted “The Halls,” an eight-part web series that addresses the serious topics of teen relationships and dating violence. Developed by Beyond Measure Productions with input from local teens, and funded by grants from the US Department of Justice, The Halls follows a group of fictitious Boston high school students as they confront the challenges of young fatherhood, trauma, masculinity, and personal identity. If the series, being marketed through different media in the Boston area, proves a success, it may be integrated into the Boston school system’s health curriculum.
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| Social Services |
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The city of Phoenix, Arizona, recently announced that it has eradicated chronic homelessness among its veteran population. The population, which includes hard-to-reach middle-age men, most of whom are wrestling with physical or mental ailments, have been placed in temporary or permanent housing as part of a “housing first” approach. Phoenix’s push to end homelessness has been met through a combination of housing and supportive services. This effort is part of a broader national campaign to end veteran homelessness by 2015 and all homelessness by 2020. Although these deadlines will be hard to meet, officials note that there has been a significant drop nationwide in the number of homeless veterans. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and Department of Veterans Affairs have awarded millions of dollars in grants to local groups helping to further the cause. Salt Lake City, Utah, has also announced that it has housed the last of its homeless veterans.
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| Public Transit |
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In Portland, Oregon, pedestrians and bicyclists may soon get an audio warning from an approaching bus at busy intersections. The talking buses will employ one of several on-board technologies to warn distracted bystanders and cyclists when the bus is turning. A previous experiment by the transit authority was not successful due to technology issues, but officials note that advancements in technology will help narrow down which onboard system is best. The new test program is being funded by the Federal Transportation Administration, which awarded the city $100,000 to pilot different systems.
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| School Administration |
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Oklahoma will become the second state, after Pennsylvania, to require that school districts and program providers share early childhood education data. The goal is to arm teachers and caregivers with relevant information about students so they are able to address individual learning needs while maintaining student privacy. Officials note that early intervention ensures that struggling students are less likely to fall through the cracks. The pilot program will begin with eight school districts this spring.
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| Technology |
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Utah is the first state to create a free application for Google Glass. “OnTime” will notify transit riders about an approaching train or bus, as well as route information, and will provide the ability to track public transportation vehicle locations in real-time. Google Glass, an optical head-mounted computer display, is one of many types of wearable computers currently being brought to market that are expected to further transform the daily life of citizens, and Utah and other state governments want to ensure that they are ready for the changes.
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| Waste Management |
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New York City will begin generating energy by diverting food waste from out-of-state landfills to a wastewater treatment plant. Excess biogas, which is produced during the wastewater treatment process, will be captured to help heat homes. The move, which will reduce waste and increase energy, is expected to also curb annual greenhouse gas emissions by 90,000 metric tons, including the emissions from trucks transporting the waste out of the city. It is estimated that organic material makes up approximately 30 percent of the waste stream.
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| New Orleans' Winning Strategy in the War on Blight |
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A city with one of the nation’s worst blight problems is now considered a national leader in reducing vacant and dilapidated properties. In the three years since implementation, BlightSTAT has reduced blight in New Orleans by 30 percent.
Newsletter produced by: Jessica Engelman, editor; Brendan St. Amant, researcher and writer.
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About the Ash Center
The Roy and Lila Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Center fosters creative and effective problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world's citizens. The Ford Foundation is a founding donor of the Center. Additional information about the Ash Center is available at http://ash.harvard.edu.
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