Report Achieving Universal Broadband in California By Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao, Darriya Starr, Amy Gong Liu Mar 29, 2023 In 2021, California invested over $6 billion to expand broadband infrastructure, address affordability, and promote digital literacy. This report examines barriers to installing broadband in underserved communities and offers recommendations as the state aims to close the digital divide.
Report Who Is Losing Ground with Distance Learning in California? By Niu Gao, Julien Lafortune, Laura Hill Oct 19, 2020 As the pandemic continues, K–12 districts must understand where and how to refine remote instruction. In this report, we examine obstacles and disparities that may have caused some California students to fall behind after the switch to distance learning last spring, and we offer insights to help schools develop interventions to best serve these students.
blog post Census Responses Lagging during COVID-19 By Sarah Bohn, Courtney Lee, Eric McGhee, Jennifer Paluch Jun 11, 2020 California’s self-response rate so far on the 2020 Census is lower than ten years ago, but it is slightly higher than for the nation as a whole.
Fact Sheet Immigrants and Health in California By Paulette Cha May 12, 2021 Immigrants and their families have limited health care coverage, even as many face disproportionate health risks, especially during the pandemic.
blog post The End of Affordable Connectivity? By Joseph Hayes, Eric Assan May 15, 2024 This month marks the end of a federal program that helped low-income households afford internet access. Nearly 3 million California households—half of those eligible—were enrolled.
blog post CalFresh during the Pandemic By Caroline Danielson Oct 21, 2020 Enrollment in CalFresh, the state’s largest nutrition safety net program, has risen substantially during COVID-19. Still, many California households report not having enough food and lack a connection to the nutrition safety net.
blog post The High Cost of Drought for Low-Income Californians By Ellen Hanak Jun 18, 2015 Poor rural communities are being hit hard by the drought. Solutions will be challenging.
blog post Video: Achieving Universal Broadband in California By Vicki Hsieh Apr 20, 2023 PPIC researchers Amy Gong Liu and Darriya Starr discuss a new report on efforts to install broadband in underserved communities, including the role of recent federal and state investments.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Achieving Digital Equity for California’s Students By Joseph Hayes, Niu Gao, Vicki Hsieh Oct 25, 2021 Unprecedented investments during the pandemic led to great strides in digital access for California’s students. But progress stalled in spring 2021 and major equity gaps remain for low-income, Black, and Latino households. Learn what steps the state can take to achieve the goal of affordable broadband and devices for all.
blog post Commentary: How Better Data Can Help California Avoid a Drinking Water Crisis By Alvar Escriva-Bou, Rich Pauloo Jun 14, 2021