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Portsmouth City Council, GB takes aim at childhood obesity rates with Superzone Pilot
City officials surveyed parents and students at Arundel Court Primary Academy ahead of the one-year trial. Survey results shaped how the program's four pillars - healthy food, active places, cleaner air, and community and safety - are implemented. The pilot encourages families to forego cars for bikes and scooters in the Superzone's 400-meter radius. Portsmouth will evaluate the impacts of workshops on healthy lunches, prizes for active travel, and smoke-free pick-up areas on student health.
Portsmouth City Council, GB
United Kingdom
San Francisco, CA conducts Direct Cash Transfer trial for support of homeless young adults
UpTogether manages unconditional cash payments of $1,500 per month to 45 participants. Eligible residents are aged 18 to 24 years old and currently experiencing homelessness. Larkin Street Youth Services connects DCT recipients with education, housing, and case management services. The city's Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing and Google provided $4.5 million for the two-year pilot in hopes of reducing chronic homelessness among young adults.
San Francisco, CA
United States
Philadelphia, PA counters high infant mortality with Philly Joy Bank guaranteed income pilot
The city's Department of Public Health and private partners sought a solution to high infant mortality rates. The Philly Job Bank turns millions of dollars in private donations into monthly payments to 250 pregnant residents. Eligibility requirements include household incomes under $100,000 and residency in three neighborhoods - Cobbs Creek, Nicetown-Tioga, and Strawberry Mansion. The pilot planned for 2024 will reduce financial anxiety and bolster infant health.
Philadelphia, PA
United States
San Diego County, CA approves the development of a homeless shelter matching app
County supervisors allocated $300,000 for the app's development by Caravan Studios. The app populates the current availability and resources for every shelter in San Diego County. Social workers, police officers, and service providers match unhoused residents with temporary accommodations fitting their needs through the app. This first-in-the-country project is modeled after the Safe Shelter Collaborative, a platform matching victims of domestic violence with safe locations in minutes.
San Diego County, CA
United States
Boston, MA pilots Postpartum Education and Support Group for residents from underrepresented groups
The 10-week virtual program provides free guidance for 32 residents who have recently given birth. Project facilitator Love Your Menses, Inc. arranges guest speakers and consultations with OB/GYNs during weekly sessions. The group also provides postpartum care boxes and supports peer mentoring among participants. City officials intend the pilot as a supportive environment for residents of color facing obstacles to treatment for postpartum depression.
Boston, MA
United States
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, GB develops digital tool for improved patient management
Stockport, Manchester City Council, and Oldham Council are working on a new platform for easing the transition from hospitals to at-home care. The tool provides step-by-step tracking of a patient's check-in, treatments, and discharge from partner organizations. Healthcare providers receive alerts when their patients face obstacles. An £82,000 award from The Local Digital Fund supports the councils' efforts at increased hospital capacity and information sharing.
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, GB
United Kingdom
Manchester City Council, GB
United Kingdom
+1Charleston County, SC improves qualify of life for seniors with Critical Home Repair Program
County officials approved $33 million in federal ARPA funds for the program. Homeowners aged 62 years and up who met income requirements and lived on their properties were eligible for free repairs. The county's Community Development team worked with contractors on critical repairs for roof leaks, accessibility issues, and insulation failure. Charleston County also collaborated with The Sustainability Institute on energy audits and weatherization assistance.
Charleston County, SC
United States
Greensboro, NC Doorway Project experiments with pallet shelters for temporary accommodations
Greensboro installed 30 temporary shelters for a four-month pilot at Pomona Park. The dual-occupancy units provided secure and warm accommodations for an average of 50 unhoused residents per night. Doorway Project participants received free buses for essential trips along with wraparound services from project partner Interactive Resource Center. The temporary structures will be dismantled for future deployment as emergency shelters and mobile homeless accommodations.
Greensboro, NC
United States
Inverclyde Council, GB bolsters social care workforce with incentive program for graduate students
Inverclyde's Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) sought a solution for ongoing social worker shortages. The £150,000 program provides funds for the final year of studies for 10 master's degree candidates specializing in social work. Participating students commit to three-year contracts with the HSCP in exchange for financial assistance. This program provides guaranteed employment for incentive recipients while strengthening the council's social services.
Inverclyde Council, GB
United Kingdom
East Devon District Council, GB tracks poverty reduction efforts with social resilience dashboard
The council's Poverty Reduction Strategy seeks data-driven decisions on council services. A social resilience team developed a dashboard with data ranging from housing benefits to council tax arrears. An interactive map shows localized hotspots for economic deprivation and a timeline identifies poverty changes during global events like COVID-19. East Devon District Council uses the dashboard for targeted services including a campaign to increase energy rebate scheme claims.
East Devon District Council, GB
United Kingdom
Belfast City Council, GB and Hey Girls collaborate on free reusable period product pilot
Belfast pursued the first-in-the-UK pilot based on concerns about period poverty and plastic waste. Hey Girls offered free home packs containing plastic-free products made from organic cotton and OEKO-TEX bamboo. The pilot was open to residents aged 16 and older with one home pack offered per email address. City officials combined its Hey Girls partnership with a pilot of free period products in council-owned facilities.
Belfast City Council, GB
United Kingdom
Somerset County Council, GB streamlines public health management with Access Rio EPR
Access Rio EPR connects the council's public health service to real-time updates on new births and families moving to the county. The platform automates appointment scheduling and resource allocation for Somerset's 150 public health nurse practitioners. An integrated text messaging system improves communications between nurse practitioners and parents. This first-in-the-country project supports comprehensive care for children from birth.
Somerset County Council, GB
United Kingdom