California Health Report

09/01/2025

For many people, the holidays are an opportunity to come together with family and foster connections and belonging. However, for survivors of domestic violence, it can be a time of increased abuse, reliving traumatic events, and not receiving the appropriate support for safety. In her latest essay, Carolina Morales discusses solutions that can help survivors feel supported.

For many people, the holidays are an opportunity to come together with family and foster connections and belonging. However, for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, it can be a time …

07/01/2025

Barbara Schmitz's early experiences as an attorney helping survivors of domestic violence file for restraining orders opened her eyes to the impacts the carceral system can have on families looking for emotional or mental health support. In her new essay, Schmitz reminds us of the Indigenous roots of restorative justice techniques and makes the case for using restorative justice models in schools.

Barbara Schmitz’s early experiences as an attorney helping survivors of domestic violence file for restraining orders opened her eyes to the impacts the carceral systems can have on families …

06/12/2024

Amidst a nationwide shortage of pediatric specialists, families caring for children with special health care needs in rural areas are often forced to travel long distances for care. Physicians and parents agree that on top of bringing more specialists to rural areas, increasing the flow of information between agencies and making travel reimbursements easier to attain would ease some of this burden on families. Our latest story from Eastern Sierra Reporter Lauren DeLaunay Miller examines how rural families find solutions. https://buff.ly/3D3i0pw

How Rural Communities Can Fill Care Gaps for Children with Disabilities By Lauren DeLaunay Miller Amidst a nationwide shortage of pediatric specialists, families caring for children with special health care needs in rural areas are often forced to travel long distances for care. Physicians and paren...

04/12/2024

A new Medi-Cal benefit called Enhanced Care Management is designed to improve coordination and access to care for children with complex health needs. Enrollment in the benefit has grown since it launched in July 2023, but some advocates and parents are concerned about the benefit's reach and effectiveness. Our latest from Senior Reporter Claudia Boyd-Barrett.

A new Medi-Cal benefit called Enhanced Care Management is designed to improve coordination and access to care for children with complex health and social needs. Enrollment in the benefit has grown …

06/11/2024

Mental health workers are in high demand across California, especially in rural areas. In the Eastern Sierra, providers are expanding services while fighting insurance companies. But the challenges are immense, especially when it comes to psychiatric care.

Mental health care workers are in high demand across California, especially in the rural pockets of the state. In the Eastern Sierra, providers are working to expand their in-person services while …

05/11/2024

The Affordable Care Act has saved countless families with medically complex children, including columnist Jennifer McLelland's. Her son was born without a functional airway and quickly racked up more than $1 million in medical bills. The ACA protected her family-- but these protections are not guaranteed.

The Affordable Care Act has saved countless families with medically complex children, including columnist Jennifer McLelland’s. Her son was born without a functional airway and quickly racked…

29/10/2024

Two years ago, California voters overwhelmingly decided to enshrine the right to abortion services in the state constitution. And it wasn't just coastal liberals: voters in the rural north, Central Valley, and Sierra Nevada all voted in favor of the proposition, despite also voting largely for Republican offices.

However, many of these residents still lack access and have yet to implement effective solutions. Eastern Sierra Reporter Lauren DeLaunay Miller's latest story digs into this issue ahead of Election Day.

Two years ago, California voters overwhelmingly decided to enshrine the right to abortion services in the state constitution. And it wasn’t just coastal liberals: voters in the rural north, C…

25/10/2024

For California Health Report columnist Marjorie Coffey, the lack of inclusivity in many nonprofit organizations is personal. In their latest article, they break down some tips for how organizations can do better.

When it comes to marginalized communities, there’s a historically justified suspicion of formal organizations. But there are solutions that all groups using restorative justice approaches can imple…

23/10/2024

For Lisbet Pérez, the restorative justice framework helped her family heal after leaving an abusive relationship. She was skeptical at first, but soon found a way to reconnected with her children's father. Through the process, she learned that her family could grow and heal through their own resilience, and that leaning on the support of her community would create the safe environment her children needed.

For Lisbet Pérez, the restorative justice framework helped her family heal after leaving an abusive relationship. She was skeptical at first, but soon found a way to reconnected with her children& #…

21/10/2024

When it comes to marginalized communities, there’s a historically justified suspicion of formal organizations. But there are solutions that all groups using restorative justice approaches can implement to be more inclusive of marginalized communities. Columnist Marjorie Coffey brings us warnings and tools to help create more welcoming environments.

When it comes to marginalized communities, there’s a historically justified suspicion of formal organizations. But there are solutions that all groups using restorative justice approaches can imple…

16/10/2024

🎉 Thrilled to receive funding from Press Forward, the nationwide initiative
strengthening communities through local news! We’re in great company: 205 small, local newsrooms across the U.S. are sharing $20 million for reporting on communities and regions that have traditionally gone uncovered. Since 2009, we have been on the frontlines reporting on communities that are disproportionately affected by inequality. Learn more: pressforward.news/grantees

Meet the 205 local newsrooms sharing $20 million in funding for addressing longstanding gaps in coverage in their communities.

09/10/2024

This November, millions of Californians will go to the polls and elect board members to their local health care districts. But do they really understand what those board members do or what roles those districts play in their communities? In this story from Eastern Sierra reporter Lauren DeLaunay Miller, we break down what you need to know about these special districts before you vote.

Today, there are 77 health care districts across California, providing care for tens of millions of people, mostly in rural areas. Inyo County, where Bishop is located, now has two. But few commun…

02/10/2024

Are you signed up for our newsletter? You won't want to miss the next edition, hitting inboxes this week. We've also created a brand new newsletter focused on the Eastern Sierra where our reporter Lauren DeLaunay Miller is based. Sign up for both letters on our website now to make sure you get all our stories directly in your inbox.

27/09/2024

Earlier this year, we published the story of 3-year-old Claire Hernandez and her family's experience caring for her. We're honored that this story won the 2024 Insight Award for Explanatory Journalism from the Institute for Nonprofit News!

Honors a single story or a series of explanatory reporting that provides insight and understanding of a significant and complex subject. Jump to: Micro

23/09/2024

Yenni Rivera's advice to those seeking restorative justice? "It took nearly a decade, but making sure both my son’s and my heart were ready was the best decision. Do it on your terms, and make sure you are walking toward it at every step." Her essay is the first in our new series about restorative justice, and it provides a unique look inside her healing journey.

With the help of a faith-based restorative justice program in Los Angeles I was able to choose forgiveness and find healing for myself and my son. I made a decision that I was not going to raise my…

20/09/2024

For Yenni Rivera, restorative justice has been a years-long process. After leaving an abusive relationship, Yenni wanted to be able to provide healing for herself and answers for her young son, and she found both hope and practical skills through support groups. In her essay, the first in our new series on restorative justice, Yenni writes about the power of peace, grace, and justice.

With the help of a faith-based restorative justice program in Los Angeles I was able to choose forgiveness and find healing for myself and my son. I made a decision that I was not going to raise my…

19/09/2024

We are delighted to announce the California Health Report has won the 2024 Insight Award for Explanatory Journalism from the Institute for Nonprofit News , for our reporting on the minefield that families of children with complex medical needs and disabilities face to access and use state programs meant to support them. https://buff.ly/3XOkks9

18/09/2024

In the Eastern Sierra, where our new reporter Lauren DeLaunay Miller lives, abortion may be legal-- but it isn't always accessible. No providers in Inyo County provide "elective" abortion services, meaning women seeking care are often forced to travel more than 200 miles. Her story from 2022 highlights the challenges of finding reproductive healthcare in rural parts of the state.

Even in California, a state where voters overwhelmingly decided to protect the right to reproductive freedom in the constitution this November, many rural residents struggle to access abortion serv…