blog post Testimony: Access to Anti-Poverty Programs for Californians in Need By Sarah Bohn Mar 17, 2021 In legislative testimony, PPIC’s Sarah Bohn discussed the economic effects of the current downturn and the role of safety net programs in addressing poverty and related challenges.
Report The Impact of Health Insurance on Poverty in California By Caroline Danielson, Patricia Malagon, Shannon McConville Mar 27, 2023 The Affordable Care Act has helped millions of Californians gain health insurance over the past decade. In addition to improving access to care, the ACA has increased financial well-being. This analysis focuses on the significant contribution of publicly funded health coverage—particularly Medi-Cal—to family resources across the state.
blog post Video: Briefing Focuses on Health and Nutrition Safety Net for Children By David Lesher Feb 25, 2015 More than half of all California children participate in at least one health or nutrition safety net program, according to a newly released PPIC report that was the focus of a recent briefing.
blog post Federal Immigration Proposal Could Have Widespread Impact By Tess Thorman Dec 5, 2018 A proposed Department of Homeland Security rule change could affect hundreds of thousands of Californians who are currently eligible for social safety net benefits.
blog post How Did the Pandemic Transform California’s Safety Net? By Caroline Danielson Mar 11, 2022 Government investments and service innovations reduced the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The impact of these approaches can inform safety net policy beyond the pandemic.
Report Low-Income Students and School Meal Programs in California By Caroline Danielson Mar 12, 2015 School nutrition programs help improve nutrition among vulnerable children. In so doing, they help build a better future for these children and the state. Now that California is implementing the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), there is additional reason to make sure all students who are eligible for free or low-cost meals enroll in these programs. Along with English Learners and foster youth, low-income students—in other words, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals—are targeted for additional funds under the LCFF. This renewed focus on enrollment could also prompt further consideration of participation in school nutrition programs. This report looks at factors that might be linked to variations in student enrollment and participation in free or reduced-price meals. Not surprisingly, we find that districts with higher poverty rates identify higher levels of eligibility than wealthier districts. Low-income high school students appear to be enrolled at levels comparable to younger students, but students in elementary school districts are much more likely to participate in lunch programs than students in other types of districts. We also find that schools in districts with higher shares of foreign-born residents have modestly lower participation levels (but not identification of low-income students). Finally, we find evidence that schools with smaller enrollments are more successful than larger schools at identifying and serving low-income students. One way to further the goal of full enrollment among low-income students is to cut the large share of low-income students who must submit applications for free or reduced-price meals. Achieving this objective is arguably an important part of a larger state effort to integrate social safety net programs and services.
blog post Testimony: Safety Net Plays Key Role in Reducing Poverty By Sarah Bohn Feb 14, 2018 Poverty is high in California, and it has not improved as much as the economy has.
blog post Video: Poverty and Opportunity in California By Steven Bliss Oct 25, 2019 At an event in Sacramento, researcher Tess Thorman and an expert panel discuss the latest poverty figures and how public policy and community-based services can reduce economic hardship and broaden opportunity.