Policy & Innovation Center

Our region's behavioral health workforce is getting a massive boost from the County of San Diego. They are investing $75 million to help people start, succeed and stay in the field of behavioral health. This includes students and professionals in counseling, psychology, social work, nursing and other related professions. The program includes several opportunities, from scholarships to 0% interest loans. PIC proudly partners with Trailhead Strategies Inc. and Social Finance to support individuals in behavioral health careers in San Diego County. For more information, join our webinar on Thursday, March 20:?https://lnkd.in/gwyMuVmx

Brookings Metro, one of PIC’s founding partners, reported that apprenticeships can help high school students make more informed choices about higher education and prepare them for their careers. Respondents in PIC’s Latino report mentioned apprenticeships in the study’s focus groups, showing the importance of nontraditional career and education pathways. There are wide gaps in the region’s degree attainment and entrepreneurship rates, and apprenticeships are one step toward equity. Read the State of San Diego Latinos report, commissioned by San Diego Foundation: https://lnkd.in/g3hMUWVx

Our organization’s future is brighter and bigger thanks to new work throughout the United States. We are now "Policy & Innovation Center" (PIC), nodding to our current and future work beyond San Diego County. Why the change? PIC built a solid foundation in bringing resources to the region. Now, we’re expanding our capacity to share our data wherever it’s needed most and to support organizations throughout the United States. We look forward to serving more and collaborating on future projects in the U.S.

PIC’s team is growing — We are looking for a Stormwater Engineer/Project Manager to join our team for the Green Stormwater Infrastructure demonstration program. This experienced individual will lead the design, development and implementation of the program, which is supported by the County of San Diego and other community partners. Learn more about the role: https://lnkd.in/gQF2j3t8

San Diego’s on a new creative path, thanks to research from PIC! The City of San Diego recently adopted the “Creative City” plan, charting new opportunities to grow the region’s vibrant, creative community. Read about Creative City: https://lnkd.in/g4xfgV2Y The City commissioned the “Creative Economy Report” to understand the region’s arts, culture and creativity. PIC’s researchers found that the local creative economy contributes $10.8 billion to the county’s gross regional product, and 80% of businesses are small businesses. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/gGufgsY5

PIC proudly welcomes Alan Berube as senior vice president with decades of national experience in public policy. Alan will lead PIC’s expanding impact across the U.S. He previously led Brookings Metro, a division of the Washington D.C.-based The Brookings Institution. PIC often partners with Brookings Metro to analyze and understand public policy, the federal administration and their impact on our region. With Alan on our team, PIC looks forward to bringing our research to philanthropies, cities and other organizations nationwide. Learn more about Alan:?https://lnkd.in/dKwR5D8T

PIC’s Chief Economist Daniel Enemark, PhD, sees quite the contrast between San Diego’s low unemployment rate and the reality many are facing in the region. He analyzed December’s jobs data from the California Employment Development Department, which revealed a stable unemployment rate. But for many San Diegans, there aren’t enough jobs that provide financial self-sufficiency. Over a third of residents need government assistance to help cover the cost of living, and modern dreams of homeownership are vanishing thanks to rising costs. Read PIC’s research in the San Diego Economic Equity Report: https://lnkd.in/g6SyNVWr

As Asian American communities celebrate the Lunar New Year this weekend, PIC’s researchers analyzed the different subgroups within the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community. Commissioned by San Diego Foundation, the State of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders report shows disparities throughout the AANHPI community, from health insurance to home ownership. With this data, government agencies, philanthropies and community organizations are encouraged to consider unique challenges and needs. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gsGvfHg3.?

With Lunar New Year festivities throughout San Diego, the PIC team is proud to have analyzed the strengths and unique challenges that the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community faces. One of those challenges in the AANHPI community is a lack of political representation – only four AANHPI individuals have been elected in the City of San Diego. San Diego Foundation commissioned the report, which includes recommendations to expand leadership development programs and capacity building for AANHPI-led organizations. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gsGvfHg3.?

Nonprofit organizations stay true to their values, even when times change. But when it comes to AI, the technology moves quickly, increasing both opportunities and risks. PIC’s Director of Research Dr. Karen Boyd cautioned nonprofit pros to check AI-generated content, which is prone to biases and inaccuracies. “[AI] is not making a moral choice – it’s making a pattern-matching choice,” she said in her conversation with Rasheeda Childress at The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ei7MkqC9