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Exploring the connectedness of health in our communities and imagining a better future
June 22, 2022 | Issue #25
This month brings many reasons to celebrate.
At Blue Shield of California Foundation, we have the tremendous job of supporting innovation, action, and promising solutions to achieve health equity and end domestic violence in California. With another round of investments this week — 32 grants representing nearly $10 million — we are excited to partner with diverse organizations and communities across the state. The work gets done in many ways. Whether it’s putting more time and money into the hands of Californians with low incomes, paving the way for young people of color to improve the health of their communities, or providing healing and prevention alternatives to families experiencing domestic violence, we celebrate progress and the growing significance of these efforts. June is also Pride month, a mix of ebullient festivities and the resolve to stand up for LGBTQ rights — in those states legislating against transgender youth, in particular. Finally, June marks the second birthday of Intersections. It’s been a joy to highlight grantees, feature original work, and spotlight health equity and domestic violence prevention from many points of view. Forward this issue to a friend to keep the celebration going and great ideas circulating.
![]() A victory for domestic workers needs community support
An estimated 10,000 domestic workers in San Francisco can’t access the sick leave they have earned. A new education campaign by Hand in Hand, in partnership with the California Domestic Workers Coalition, asks employers to pledge to provide paid sick leave to their employees. ![]() Though San Francisco was one of the first major cities to pass a paid sick leave ordinance back in 2006, 72% of its domestic workers report not receiving paid sick time. This has been especially devastating during the pandemic. Working for multiple employers for small amounts of time makes it hard to keep track of the paid leave people are accruing. The new Domestic Workers Paid Sick Leave Ordinance, set to launch in 2023, will create a web-based portable benefits program so workers can open a single account that will pool contributed funds from multiple employers and follow them across jobs.
![]() Mass shootings and domestic violence: the undeniable link
![]() Americans experience the horror of mass shootings far too often. One element that we do not often discuss — as we grieve, and even in crafting policy responses — is the link between mass shootings and domestic violence. More than two-thirds of mass shootings are domestic violence incidents or perpetrated by someone with a history of domestic violence. The Foundation’s partners at Hope and Heal Fund point out, too, research on how harm-doers use guns to exert coercive control over their partners. The data support our belief that domestic violence prevention is also gun violence prevention. When we focus on prevention, we can help make all of our communities safer.
![]() In search of community health
![]() Last summer when Alma, a public health major at UC Berkeley, joined a road trip across California, she was hoping to find a sense of direction for her career.
![]() A place for healing
An $11 million pilot program using restorative practices to prevent or address domestic violence is part of the Violence Against Women Act that Congress passed in March. The concept of restorative justice for domestic violence prevention is not new; it reflects a growing movement among anti-violence advocates, domestic violence agencies and lawmakers to find effective ways to break cycles of abuse. This month at Blue Shield of California Foundation
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