This Op-Ed was originally published in cleveland.com. Many of us who study public policy as it relates to poverty have long talked about eliminating or reducing the “benefit cliff.” The benefit cliff refers to that moment when low-wage workers are offered a raise or a promotion and turn it down because they don’t want to...
Improving Infant, Maternal and Adolescent Health: October 21 Celebration Forum
Maternal and infant health is a Community Solutions priority that we spend a lot of time researching and exploring, especially in the past year. The result is always the same: significant disparities exist for mothers, babies, and families: and there are steps that Ohio could take to make improvements. For example, Ohio recently took advantage...
Some surprising stats for Hispanic Heritage Month
In 2021, Ohio’s Hispanic and Latinx population reached over a half-million people, joining 21 other states. The number of people of Hispanic heritage has risen steadily over the last decade, growing more than 40 percent since 2010. People of Hispanic Heritage live in every corner of Ohio. According to the latest data available from the...
More than service: Advancing racial equity through jury duty
Our legal system is old, flawed, and has many broken parts and pieces: all its faults have been laid bare over the last few years. While it may take time, hard work, collaboration, and honesty to address the inequities within the system, there are actions we can take right now to initiate the change required...
Latest Ohio Department of Health infant mortality report: crisis and disparities remain
By: Hope A. Lane-Gavin, Fellow, Health Equity Natasha Takyi-Micah, Public Policy & External Affairs Associate Addressing the infant mortality crisis in Ohio remains one of our top priorities at The Center for Community Solutions, as an avenue to improving public health. Infant mortality is defined as the death of an infant before their first birthday....
Racism as a public health crisis and the economics of urban hospitals
On September 14th, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center announced they will cease to provide emergency and inpatient services, including emergency psychiatric services, in Cleveland. In addition to the impact this will have on the local service delivery landscape, there is also the economic consequences of the loss of 600 jobs in the city’s Center. Ironically,...
Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Understanding the value and purpose of 988
CONTENT WARNING, contains references to suicide and mental health crisis If you or anyone you know is dealing with a mental health crisis, dial 988 immediately. There is hope. The month of September is designated as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This month opens the door for behavioral health agencies and nonprofits to educate on the...
Why we all deserve a Trauma Informed workplace: insights from a leader and a mother
Jayland Walker turned around and faced police officers with no gun … He was a lanky young man… only 25 years old… 60 shots in his body… they shot 90 times…. These were the facts, like an earworm in my mind, interrupting a fairly straightforward task: writing and organizing a presentation for my colleagues. As...
More reliable 2021 Census estimates have erased progress on Cleveland children’s poverty
The first reliable data on poverty in Cleveland during the COVID-19 pandemic was released last week. The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 1-year estimates show that nearly 105,000 people in the City of Cleveland lived in poverty in 2021. Of those, more than 33,500 are children. At 45.5 percent, Cleveland has the highest child poverty rate...