California Health Report (2025)

14/03/2025

More than 10,000 unaccompanied youth have entered California each year since 20202, most leaving violence or insecurity in Mexico and Central America. Even after resettling in their new homes, many struggle to access culturally competent mental health care. In response, Community Justice Alliance has helped its youth clients build community and express themselves creatively. Our latest story from reporter Lauren DeLaunay Miller.

More than 10,000 unaccompanied youth have entered California each year since 2020, most of them leaving violence or insecurity in Mexico and Central America. Even after resettling in their new home…

12/03/2025

The Victim Offender Education Group, a restorative justice-centered program at a prison in Chino, is working to rehabilitate people who have caused harm. The curriculum is grounded in principles of restorative justice, commonly defined as an alternative to punitive justice that promotes healing for the person who was harmed, the person who carried out the harm, and both of their communities. Read our latest from Los Angeles reporter Ricky Rodas.

The Victim Offender Education Group, a restorative justice-centered program at a prison in Chino, is working to rehabilitate people who have caused harm. The curriculum is grounded in principles of…

10/03/2025

The Victim Offender Education Group, a restorative justice-centered program at a prison in Chino, is working to rehabilitate people who have caused harm. The curriculum is grounded in principles of restorative justice, commonly defined as an alternative to punitive justice that promotes healing for the person who was harmed, the person who carried out the harm and both of their communities.

The Victim Offender Education Group, a restorative justice-centered program at a prison in Chino, is working to rehabilitate people who have caused harm. The curriculum is grounded in principles of…

05/03/2025

Even with advanced health care, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of maternal deaths. But there are crucial steps we can take as physicians and health care policymakers to address this crisis, writes Dr. Afshan B. Hameed, maternal-fetal medicine specialist and professor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine.

Even with advanced health care, the U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of maternal deaths. But there ar…

24/02/2025

As a child of undocumented immigrants from Guatemala, Jacquie Marroquin worried that speaking to anyone in authority about her father's abuse would put her family in danger of being separated or get her parents deported. Now she is trying to help other families like hers. Recently, she became the first California-based responder working for a free, confidential helpline for people considering harming a loved one.

As a child of undocumented immigrants from Guatemala, Jacquie Marroquin worried that speaking to anyone in authority about her father’s abuse would put her family in danger of being separated, or g…

13/02/2025

More than 14,000 families rely on California Children's Services to help manage care for their children. But when that care is canceled, few families understand their rights. A new toolkit hopes to explain families' due process rights and provide practical advice for moving forward. Our latest from reporter Lauren DeLaunay Miller:

More than 14,000 families rely on California Children’s Services to help manage their care for their children. But when that care is cancelled, few families understand their rights. A new too…

12/02/2025

The number of Californians with untreated mental health conditions is increasing. At its root, the lack of access and insufficient treatment for mental health conditions is driven by declining insurance coverage and low reimbursement rates to providers, according to Mark Cloutier in our latest opinion column.

The number of Californians with untreated mental health conditions is increasing. At its root, the lack of access and insufficient treatment for mental health conditions is driven by declining insu…

04/02/2025

The Family Justice Center in Richmond, California, is home to The Collective Healing and Transformation (CHAT) Project. Their restorative justice framework has helped nearly a hundred families since opening in 2018. In our latest feature by reporter Lauren DeLaunay Miller, we follow one family's journey with The CHAT Project.

For one dedicated couple, embracing restorative justice was the first step toward healing their family. The Contra Costa County Family Justice Center’s CHAT Project has been a beacon of hope,…

30/01/2025

Health care and disability rights advocates are gearing up to make sure politicians understand that there is no way to cut Medicaid without hurting people who need care. Sharing real people's stories will be key to that effort. Our disability rights columnist, Jennifer McLelland, offers her tips on how to tell your family's story in her latest column.

Health care and disability rights advocates are gearing up to make sure politicians understand that there is no way to cut Medicaid without hurting people who need care. Sharing real people’s stori…

28/01/2025

For one dedicated couple, embracing restorative justice was the first step toward healing their family. The Contra Costa County Family Justice Center's CHAT Project has been a beacon of hope, one that has given them the tools they each needed to co-parent effectively while mending their own relationship. By focusing on accountability and communication, the couple have been able to create a safe, stable home for their son.

For one dedicated couple, embracing restorative justice was the first step toward healing their family. The Contra Costa County Family Justice Center’s CHAT Project has been a beacon of hope,…

23/01/2025

About 5,000 San Diego-area residents were impacted by the historic downpour last January that led to dramatic flooding. Extreme flooding events are becoming more common as the climate warms. But some residents impacted by the disaster insist there is another force that exacerbated that flooding: Decades of government neglect and indifference toward San Diego's lower income neighborhoods. On the one-year anniversary of the floods, Senior Report Claudia Boyd-Barrett brings us a moving report, created in collaboration with Pulitzer Center.

About 5,000 San Diego-area residents were impacted by the historic downpour last January that led to dramatic flooding. Extreme flooding events are becoming more common as the climate warms. But so…

17/01/2025

When dialing 911 for a medical emergency, the expectation is clear: Licensed health care providers, typically paramedics and emergency medical technicians, will arrive within minutes at your location, day or night. Despite these responsibilities, emergency medical services are often overlooked in health care reform discussions. A compelling opportunity exists to shift lower-acuity and preventative care services from expensive medical clinics and hospitals to community-based EMS care, writes columnist Jodi Ravel.

When dialing 911 for a medical emergency, the expectation is clear: Licensed health care providers, typically paramedics and emergency medical technicians, will arrive within minutes at your locati…

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…

California Health Report