Vanessa Karakilic’s Post

The places in which people live have a profound influence over the opportunities they have and the choices they can make – and planning shapes those places. Whether people have good homes, easy access to parks and green spaces, pleasant and safe routes for walking and cycling, local jobs, shops, schools, and other vital infrastructure, is all influenced by planning. Local plans are key documents through which local authorities can create and influence environments to create and maintain health, and yet they are often weak and inconsistent on how exactly this can be achieved. This free webinar will explore a new framework for creating healthy Local Plans, co-authored by TRUUD (Tackling Root causes upstream of Unhealthy Urban Development) and the TCPA, who working with a number of local authorities across England have developed this document for local authority officers from planning and public health full of practical evidence, guidance, and inspiration to show how, working together, it can be done. https://lnkd.in/e28jMgrA

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Today, September 30, is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. On this day it’s important that we take time to learn from and honor the survivors of the Canadian residential schools, their families, and communities, as well as consider how we can meaningfully contribute towards reconciliation. We understand that true reconciliation requires genuine dedication to not only acknowledging the lasting impacts of the residential school system, but to actively addressing the inequities stemming from these injustices. As part of Virtual Health Hub’s mission to enhance healthcare access in Saskatchewan, we are committed to listening and engaging with Indigenous communities and leadership to dismantle systematic barriers, eliminate racism, and deliver culturally sensitive and safe care. We encourage everyone to wear orange today to honor residential school survivors, as well as check out local community educational and cultural events to learn about the impact of these schools and the ways we can all work towards reconciliation.   #TruthandReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #NationalDayforTruthandReconciliation #September30

Although this article was based on schools in Mississippi, this seems to be an epidemic everywhere. I believe this was an issue pre-pandemic and heightened after the pandemic. What are the solutions for increasing the attendance rates to ensure that students are successful in their postsecondary opportunities? It is time to take these conversations a lot more seriously as this impacts a whole generation.

On March 8th, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the updated, web-based, Equal Access Assessment Tool (EAAT). The EAAT can play a crucial role in promoting accountability, identifying areas for improvement, and supporting organizations in their efforts to provide inclusive and equitable services to individuals accessing shelter and services in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. This blog provides an overview of the tool, what it assesses, and why it’s important. While mandated for specific HUD funded programs, the EAAT can be used by all organizations providing shelter and services to assess whether their practices and procedures align with legal requirements and best practices for providing equal access to shelter and services. The assessment is an important first step in assessing strengths, identifying opportunities for improvement, and developing action steps to ensure the provision of inclusive and equitable services in Mecklenburg County.

This blog & supporting article summarizes findings & lessons learned from the virtual expansion of the YMCA’s BPSM program to reach rural communities in South Carolina. Learn more: https://wp.me/p7l72S-aaB Read the article in a special issue of JPHMP: https://bit.ly/4b7M5iN

The University of San Francisco's Urban & Public Affairs program is a bridge that connects the world we all live in, which is ready for change, with graduate students like myself who will change it for the better. In my classes so far, I can see the relationship between issues like the rising costs of housing, homelessness, and access to affordable housing, access to healthcare, mental health services, the impact of environmental factors on community health, the impacts of pollution and climate change on marginalized communities, and promoting sustainable practices issues that affect cities and communities in both Alameda County and Contra Costa County.

Learn about the interconnectedness of access to affordable housing with low crime rates, increased spending power, and overall communal wellbeing: https://lnkd.in/guQwrbUN

Understanding place value in high street regeneration: creative methods in public engagement Dr Fei Chen has written a policy briefing for the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place on how effective public engagement builds a better understanding of place value. https://shorturl.at/jmtQ4

The Milken Institute released their Best Performing Cities (BPC) report this week. The two communities I value most are on this list: Northwest Arkansas (#7) and San Francisco (#27). Take a look! https://lnkd.in/g-rRH6_K #sanfrancisco #ggu #businessandlaw #milkeninstitute #northwestarkansas #bentonville #economicdevelopment #workforcedevelopment #workforceplanning #sanfrancisco #ggu #businessandlaw