Publications from Community Health and Environmental Policy

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  • Disaster Risk Creation and Cascading Disasters Within Large Technological Systems: COVID-19 and the 2021 Texas Blackouts 2021

    Here we describe the 2021 Texas blackouts during the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of disaster risk creation and cascading disaster, showing how risk emerges and propagates across large technological systems.

  • Going to the Doctor: Rideshare as Nonemergency Medical Transportation 2021

    The authors look closely at rideshare specifically in the nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) context. They identify key populations for whom, and types of rides for which, NEMT could be an appropriate model, the role of rideshare in NEMT, and the policies that support such a role. The authors conclude by considering how best to support NEMT broadly and optimize rideshare within NEMT specifically through policy and process.

  • Final Evaluation of LA DOOR: Proposition 47 Grant Program 2021

    The Los Angeles Diversion, Outreach, and Opportunities for Recovery program provides a comprehensive, health-focused, preventative approach that proactively engages individuals at elevated risk of returning to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office on a new misdemeanor offense related to substance use, mental illness, or homelessness. In this report, the authors summarize their findings from an evaluation of Cohort 1 of the program.

  • Citizen Science for Disasters: A Guide for Community Groups 2021

    This toolkit provides guidance to community groups on engaging with disaster citizen science to support public health preparedness. Regardless of the specific disaster problem, or the size or scope of the intended project, this toolkit should help community groups design and implement disaster citizen science projects and identify resources to support activities.

  • Transforming the Housing Choice Voucher System in California: A Path to Universal Housing? 2021

    In this Perspective, the authors review the impact of the housing choice voucher (HCV) program, explain shortcomings of today's HCV system, and examine the potential effects of reforms to stabilize access to affordable housing for the most-vulnerable Californians. These reforms include adopting a universal system, enhancing the system so housing leads to opportunity, and enforcing landlord participation so vouchers are as good as cash.

  • Citizen Science for Disasters: A Guide for Local Health Departments 2021

    This toolkit provides guidance to local health departments on engaging with disaster citizen science to support public health preparedness. Regardless of the specific disaster problem, or the size or scope of the intended project, this toolkit should help health departments design and implement disaster citizen science projects and identify resources to support activities.

  • Examining Implementation of the Los Angeles County Office of Diversion and Reentry Supportive Housing Program 2021

    The Office of Diversion and Reentry's Housing Program in Los Angeles County operates jail-based diversion programs for those with serious mental health diagnoses. The authors of this report describe the implementation of the program, including facilitators, challenges, and participant perspectives, with the goal of helping other jurisdictions implement similar initiatives and helping current program staff expand and refine their model.

  • Evaluation of Energy Systems Network's Moving Forward Initiative in Indiana: Initial Program Outcomes and Potential Impacts 2021

    Affordable housing in Indiana is in short supply. Moving Forward's novel approach to affordable housing design aims to reduce household utility and transportation expenses and use innovative energy-efficient and renewable technologies. In this performance evaluation, the authors make actionable recommendations to strengthen the initiative and increase the likelihood of achieving and verifying outcomes as the program continues to mature.