P4A researcher Wendy Ellis has been at the forefront of innovative policy research focused on building community resilience and closing the wealth gap in Cincinnati. Her latest report outlines a framework developed by community members and city leaders to develop actionable solutions and policy recommendations for social and economic mobility.
In an exclusive interview on Let’s Talk Cincy, she discusses the report in detail, highlighting the importance of local leadership, cross-sector partnerships, and authentic community engagement as keys to success. She also explores the Opportunity Dashboard, a new data-driven, customizable tool in development that will help local governments and stakeholders measure these initiatives’ collective impact in historically marginalized communities.
The Chicago Future Fund
has released its latest evaluation, showing how direct cash assistance affects financial stability, housing, and employment for formerly incarcerated people. This groundbreaking initiative provided $500 per month to participants, leading to measurable improvements in economic security and well-being. Researchers found that guaranteed income helped reduce recidivism and improved participants’ ability to access stable housing and employment opportunities.
In September 2020, California implemented a bill to increase reproductive health care access and quality for incarcerated and pregnant people in state prisons and county jails. P4A researchers at the Urban Institute interviewed 34 incarcerated people in a women’s jail in San Diego County to learn how this bill affected their access to and quality of reproductive health care. Findings include reports of significant challenges when requesting care and lengthy delays in receiving care.
This past year featured critical policy discussions and research breakthroughs. P4A’s latest blog post reflects on 2024’s achievements, highlighting key studies that have shaped conversations on economic mobility, health care access, and racial justice. If you missed it, now is the perfect time to revisit these insights and consider their impact on policy decisions moving forward.
Community corner
Systems for Action (S4A), a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has released a new funding opportunity called Community-Led Systems Research to Address Systemic Racism. The goal is to produce actionable evidence about how to help medical, social, and public health systems work together to address systemic racism. S4A seeks community-based nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal organizations committed to conducting rigorous, equitable research to lead these one-year pilot studies in partnership with research institutions. Proposals are due Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. (ET).
