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Prizes for sobriety: As Washington meth use rises, this treatment is one of few that works
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/homeless/prizes-for-not-doing-drugs-a-treatment-that-works-but-isnt-used-much
Scott Greenstone
The Seattle Times
22 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Rewarding patients for sobriety greatly increases the likelihood for recovery. The approach of contingency management creates new behaviors through incentives instead of punishment. Through the Seattle Department of Veteran’s Affairs, patients in an addiction program who test negative get to draw a prize and accumulate rewards the longer they stay sober. This alternative form of treatment has proven effective in boosting patient participation—and success—in addiction programs at the Seattle VA.
California to build largest wildlife crossing in world
https://www.apnews.com/d0bd2e4232dc4952a1db399afb257cd3
Christopher Weber
Associated Press
20 August 2019
Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words
A bridge is being designed to cross over U.S. 101 so that wildlife in the region will have a safe way to travel. When development, especially freeways, happens, ecosystems are cut off, leaving animals like wildcats, deer, and snakes, with no way to access their entire habitats. This bridge, funded mostly by private donors, will cost $87 million and is being designed as part of the ecosystem so that the wildlife that does use it, will barely know they’re on a bridge at all.
Police, not counselors, respond when suicidal teens call Safe2Tell for help. Utah may have a better way.
https://coloradosun.com/2019/08/20/police-not-counselors-respond-when-suicidal-teens-call-safe2tell-for-help-utah-may-have-a-better-way
John Frank
The Colorado Sun
20 August 2019
Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words
In 2016, Utah debuted SafeUT, a streamlined crisis center with on-call mental health specialists that students can call or text about potential threats to schools or personal mental health concerns. SafeUT was borne out of a recognition for more preventative and mental health services, and was inspired by Colorado’s Safe2Tell initiative. Now, as Colorado seeks to iterate on their state initiatives, they’re looking to SafeUT’s streamlined approach as a model for improvement.
Reimagining New York Jails Without Solitary Confinement
https://thecity.nyc/2019/08/reimagining-new-york-jails-without-solitary-confinement.html
Reuven Blau
Rosa Goldensohn
The City
19 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Solitary confinement was once thought of as one of the only effective punishments for violent prison inmates. As more research surfaces showing the severe damage it does to mental health, the racial bias of those placed in solitary, and its relative ineffectiveness, more cities, like New York City, are exploring alternatives to the relatively inhumane practice. In places like Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco, rather than invoking a punitive approach, they’re offering positive reinforcement – and seeing positive results.
Incarcerated Women Help Recover Rare Northwest Butterfly Species
https://www.opb.org/news/article/northwest-butterfly-coffee-creek-incarcerated-women-conservation-lab
Jenn Chavez
OPB
18 August 2019
Multi-Media / 5-15 Minutes
In a collaboration with the Oregon Zoo, the Institute of Applied Ecology, the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Oregon’s Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, women experiencing incarceration are helping save the endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly. Participants learn data gathering, environmental skills, and record keeping – all skills that can translate to life after release – so that they may help the species flourish from larvae to butterfly.
How teen Greta Thunberg shifted world's gaze to climate change
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/how-teen-greta-thunberg-shifted-world-s-gaze-climate-change-n1043151
Linda Givetash
NBC News
17 August 2019
Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words
All over the world, more than 2 million children and teens are participating in classroom walkouts in an effort to bring attention to the severity of climate change. Called, Fridays for the Future, leaders of the movement are gaining traction, and have developed a declaration that emphasizes their demand that world leaders do something to stop the rising global temperature. This movement was sparked by Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, who, at 16-years old, has started this movement, spoken to global leaders, and continues to do what’s needed to demand action in the face of climate change.
'Plastic recycling is a myth': what really happens to your rubbish?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/17/plastic-recycling-myth-what-really-happens-your-rubbish
Oliver Franklin-Wallis
The Guardian
17 August 2019
Text / Over 3000 Words
After decades of recycling plastic, the world is now coming to terms with the waste industry it has created, and seeking more sustainable models. One promising model is material recovery facilities, like England’s Green Recycling, that has invested in an AI sorting machine to help humans more efficiently and accurately find materials that can be recycled. While a costly model of sustainability, new strategy proposals are emerging that can help the world make this change possible.
South Mountain HS cross-country team pushing for electric school buses
https://www.azfamily.com/news/arizona_schools/south-mountain-hs-cross-country-team-pushing-for-electric-school/article_cf6ccc1e-bfb5-11e9-8457-b372e6d5447e.html
Kristine Harrington
AZFamily.com
16 August 2019
Multi-Media / 5-15 Minutes
Because of a collaborative effort between a high school cross country team and Chispa, an environmental advocacy group, Arizona’s Phoenix Union High School District has bought its first electric school bus. While nearly three times more expensive than a regular school bus, the school district considered the long-term sustainability, not just in terms of fuel and maintenance costs, but in regards to larger, environmental efforts as well.
The Biggest Police Department In The US Has A Suicide Crisis. Another Department Thinks They Have An Answer.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/amberjamieson/nypd-suicide-crisis
Amber Jamieson
Buzzfeed
16 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
California’s Los Angeles Police Department has built mental health into its force. The department has 16 psychologists on staff, offering free counseling and debrief sessions after traumatic incidents. As the New York Police Department faces an increase in officer suicides, it looks to the LAPD as it rolls out its new suicide prevention initiatives, like a mental health app, mental health insurance, and access to counseling.
Inside the innovation lab solving climate financing
https://apolitical.co/solution_article/inside-the-innovation-lab-solving-climate-financing
Amelia Axelsen
Apolitical
16 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Turning climate solutions into opportunities for investment can help mobilize capital to address climate change. The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance (The Lab), part of the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) based in San Francisco, California, promotes public-private partnerships to reduce the risk of investment in large-scale projects. Nature Based Solutions, such as the Lab’s initiative to restore mangroves in the Philippines, contributes tremendous economic value in areas like flood mitigation.
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