WPI Graduate Network: Resource Center
Resource Library for Women’s Policy Institute Fellows & Graduates: Reports, Articles & Fact Sheets Featured Report January 2009:
Summary of 2007 Laws Affecting Women http://women.ca.gov/UserFiles/990.NewLaws07.pdf A summary of the laws proposed or passed in 2007 on various issues affecting women. Also visit this Commission on the Status of Women site for up-to-the-minute legislative updates on current priority bills: http://ct2k2.capitoltrack.com/report.asp?rptid=U23146
http://www.aila.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=24681&linkid=172618 Fed by a daily drumbeat of inflammatory rhetoric on cable television and talk radio, public frustration with our broken immigration system and federal inaction is now hypercharged. State and local legislators feeling heat from angry constituents have introduced a dizzying array of bills and ordinances. In response, AILA has developed a state and local resource guide to provide policymakers and advocates a roadmap to use as they steer through the policy minefields created by this trend.
http://www.chirla.org/files/Year-end%20State%20Policy%20Review%2007.pdf This document is an analysis of the 2007 California legislative year and some projections for next year.
On the Road to Equity: A Statewide Agenda for Women and Girls The content and the solutions of this report directly reflect what the Women’s Foundation of California heard from women and girls across the state during their Road to Equity Tour. They outline five recommendations in the statewide agenda which are reflected in five issue areas that were prioritized by the Road to Equity Tour participants.
Make a Difference for Your Cause: Strategies for Nonprofit Engagement in Legislative Advocacy http://www.clpi.org/CLPI_Publications.aspx This resource and discussion guide takes readers through the steps of the CLPI Road Map, provides examples of nonprofits that have successfully used public policy engagement to meet their missions, and presents six questions readers can use to stimulate discussion with others in their organizations.
Women in the Criminal Justice System: Briefing Sheets This report documents the gender implications of changes that have occurred over the last 20 years within the criminal justice system on a national scale, including expansive law enforcement, stiffer drug sentencing laws and re-entry barriers. The briefing sheets delve into family, socioeconomic and physical and mental health issues that women – and their families – face as a result of being incarcerated. More reports on various issues regarding women in the criminal justice system from the same source can be found at: http://www.sentencingproject.org/Publications.aspx?IssueID=6
California Women’s Prisons: Critical Statistics http://www.womenprisoners.org/resources/critical_statistics.html This fact sheet outlines some key statistics about California’s women’s prisons.
California’s Criminal Justice System: A Primer http://lao.ca.gov/2007/cj_primer/cj_primer_013107.pdf This document surveys the current state of California’s criminal justice system and outlines the key criminal justice issues for policymakers today.
Supporting Families with Incarcerated Parents (Policy Brief No. 8) http://www.nassembly.org/fspc/practice/documents/Brief8.pdf This brief examines risk and protective factors of children of incarcerated parents, intervention models, as well as state and federal initiatives to address this vulnerable and often invisible population.
Caught in the Net: The Impact of Drug Policies on Women and Families http://www.aclu.org/images/asset_upload_file393_23513.pdf In this report the ACLU, Break the Chains and the Brennan Center for Justice advocate for fair drug laws and policies that adequately take into account the needs of women and their families and address the root causes of women's involvement with illegal drugs.
Crime in California by City and County - Statistics http://caag.state.ca.us/cjsc/datatabs.htm The state’s database of statistics on all crime in California from 1996–2005.
From Poverty To Prosperity The Center for American Progress in 2006 convened a diverse group of national experts and leaders to examine the causes and consequences of poverty in
Locked Out 2008: A Profile of California’s Counties http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2008/080213_CountyProfiles.pdf\ This study provides county-specific data on California’s housing crisis.
The California Economy: Employment in 2007 Fact Sheet http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/jtf/JTF_EmploymentReviewJTF.pdf This policy brief offers key facts and chart analysis of overall employment trends for California in 2007.
Women and Economic Security Fact Sheet (CA) http://weap.org/uploads/file/Women_Economic_Security.doc This fact sheet offers some quick myth/fact information on the state of women’s economic security in California.
Poverty, Jobs and the Los Angeles Economy Poverty_Jobs_and_the_Los_Angeles_Economy.pdf This report presents an analysis of US Census data and the challenges facing the Los Angeles region.
Behind Closed Doors: Working Conditions of California Household Workers http://www.datacenter.org/reports/behindcloseddoors.pdf This report presents data on and assesses the state of the field of household work in California.
Women and Paid Sick Days: Crucial for Family Well-Being http://www.iwpr.org/pdf/B254_paidsickdaysFS.pdf Fact sheet looking at national scope of women workers and paid sick days.
Words that Work: Messaging for Economic Justice http://www.spinproject.org/downloads/EconJusticeMessaging.pdf This handbook was created to help economic justice advocates leverage the power of the media to achieve their goals of a fair and equitable America.
Winning Wages: A Media Kit for Successful Living Wage Strategies http://www.spinproject.org/article.php?id=95 Designed as a "best practices" resource, this publication provides extensive case studies, how-to’s, check lists, message language, media strategies and much more. It’s packed with just about everything you need to mount an effective media component of a living wage campaign, except the actual headlines and news coverage!
Environmental Health and Justice Ports of Opportunity: Gender and Movement Building at the Intersection of Environmental and Transportation Justice The report outlines recommendations and presents a case study on cross-issue movement building.
Confronting Toxic Contamination in Our Communities A new report on women’s health and the environment by the Women’s Foundation of California. Learn more about how toxins in the environment have a disproportionate affect on women and their children.
Toxic Chemicals and Black Women’s Health Toxic Chemicals and Black Womens Health
Latino Attitudes and the Environment http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/jtf/JTF_LatinoAttitudesEnvironmentJTF.pdf This fact sheet provides data on Latinos, as well as African Americans, Asians and European Americans on the comparative effects environmental concerns like air pollution and global warming are having on these communities.
Environmental Health Report: Toxic Baby Bottles This report includes an analysis of the toxicity of the chemicals found in some baby bottles, as well as recommendations for parents and policymakers in ensuring safe products for families.
Recent Reports on Chemicals in Cosmetics (Various) http://www.safecosmetics.org/about/reports.cfm This website links to a number of recent reports on chemicals in cosmetics like lipstick and other personal care products.
Legislative Toolkit http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/pp.asp?c=kwKXLdPaE&b=2060995 This toolkit was designed to help you learn more about the Breast Cancer Fund's legislative advocacy efforts to prevent breast cancer on the national, state and local levels and provides the tools you need to replicate these winning strategies in your own communities. Includes links to information on chemicals policy resources, safe cosmetics legislative resources, toxic toys legislative resources and more.
Victory Brief: Reproductive Justice at the Ballot Box This report tells the story of how reproductive justice organizations in California, led by women of color and young women, helped to defeat Proposition 4 in November 2008. - The Impact of Anti-Immigrant Policy on Publicly Subsidized Reproductive Health Care Winter 2007 http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/gpr/10/1/gpr100107.html This report provides an insightful analysis of the effects of anti-immigrant policy on publicly subsidized reproductive health care in the US. For other research and publications on the state of reproductive rights from the Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI), a public policy organization that works "to protect the reproductive choices of all women and men--in the United States and throughout the world," go to http://www.guttmacher.org/index.html.
Pharmacy Access to Emergency Contraception in Rural and Frontier Communities http://www.pharmacyaccess.org/pdfs/Bigbee_RuralPharmAccess.pdf American women, especially those living in rural and frontier areas, have one of the highest rates of unintended and teen pregnancy among developed countries. This study evaluated the participation among California pharmacies in the pharmacy access program in December 2005, specifically comparing rural/frontier and urban pharmacies.
Advancing the Reproductive Health and Justice of Young Latinas Through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (Policy Brief – in English and en Espanol) http://www.californialatinas.org/policy/index.html This policy brief explores the specific need for promoting quality sexual health programs in Latina/o communities, with a focus on furthering the reproductive health and justice of young Latinas.
Reproductive Rights and Healthcare Access Fact Sheet (CA) http://weap.org/uploads/Reprdctve_Rts_Final_12-07.doc This fact sheet offers some key statistics on women’s reproductive health access and costs, and outlines where the current profit-based health care system fails and what a just health care system could look like.
A New Vision for Reproductive Justice http://www.reproductivejustice.org/download/ACRJ_A_New_Vision.pdf This report outlines a new vision and framework for advancing the movement for reproductive health, reproductive rights and reproductive justice.
Reproductive Health Care for Women: Coverage, Access and Financing (Tutorial) A narrated PowerPoint tutorial on reproductive health care for women.
Learning Curves: Expanding the Constituency for Comprehensive Sexuality Education http://www.arc.org/content/view/211/48/ The chasm between community needs and public policy prompted the Ms. Foundation for Women and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation to launch the New Partners/New Initiatives Project in 2001 to help build non-traditional constituencies who would stand up for reproductive health. This report describes the New Partners/ New Initiatives Program, details the experiences of the foundations and the grantee organizations and reflects on the lessons that emerged.
Featured Report November 2008:Depends On Where You Are Born: California Hospitals Must Close the Gap in Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates This report ranks nearly every hospital in the state in terms of the rate of new mothers who breastfeed while in the hospital. The analysis reveals stark differences in rates and demonstrates that the breastfeeding gap is greatest in hospitals serving low-income mothers and babies of color. But the report goes on to show that, when hospitals improve their newborn feeding policies and practices, they dramatically increase their breastfeeding rates. WPI Alums Karen Farley and Robbie Gonzalez Dow contributed to the report. Women’s Health Statistics http://www.statehealthfacts.org/profilecat.jsp?rgn=6&cat=10 State-level health data in easy-to-use tables, graphs and maps.
California Women’s Health 2007 California Women’s Health 2007 includes emerging issues and trends in women’s health. Information on household type, contraception, human trafficking and border health are just a few of the California-related topics included in this edition. Where possible, they attempted to highlight racial and ethnic disparities as well as gender differences.
Women’s Health Legislation 2007 http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/OWH/Documents/07Leg_Index.pdf Proposed legislation from 2007 session related to women's health issues.
Women’s Health Policy Fact Sheet: Health Insurance Coverage of Women by State http://www.kff.org/womenshealth/upload/1613_07.pdf This fact sheet outlines data on the health insurance coverage of women ages 18 to 64 by state from 2005–2006.
Reproductive Rights and Healthcare Access Fact Sheet http://weap.org/uploads/Reprdctve_Rts_Final_12-07.doc This fact sheet offers some key statistics on women’s reproductive health access and costs, and outlines where the current profit-based health care system fails and what a just health care system could look like.
The State of Latinas in California The year 2005 in review around fostering the growth of Latina leadership.
The Influence of Community Factors on Health, an Annotated Bibliography http://www.policylink.org/CHB/publication.html PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity. Find useful research documents and tools from examples of policy and advocacy work being done nationwide under their Publications and Resources tabs.
The Minority AIDS Initiative: Policy Brief http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/Minority-AIDS-Initiative-Policy-Brief.pdf This policy brief provides an overview of the MAI. The first section provides background on the MAI’s creation, goals, administration and funding history. The second section provides a summary of current issues and challenges facing the MAI based on interviews with key stakeholders. An appendix provides descriptions of select MAI funded programs by agency.
Analysis of the 2008 –09 Budget Bill and the 2008–09 Budget, Perspectives and Issues Facing a huge 2008–09 budget problem, the Governor’s budget fails to put forward a plan that prioritizes state spending. We recommend the Legislature reject the administration’s across-the-board approach. In the absence of a meaningful starting point for budget deliberations from the administration, we have developed an alternative budget approach. In contrast to the Governor’s budget, we put forth a strategic alternative that is both more balanced and targeted in addressing the state’s budget shortfall. For The Analysis of the 2008–09 Budget Bill
Lawmakers Authorize Emergency Midyear Cuts: Education and Medi-Cal Hit Hardest, Further Cuts Expected http://www.caimmigrant.org/CIPCBudgetUpdFINAL021808.pdf A brief update outlining the latest emergency cuts passed by the California Legislature.
A Grassroots Advocates Guide to Influencing the Local Government Budget Process http://www.thepraxisproject.org/tools/Guide_to_budgets.pdf This report intends to help groups access the local government budgeting process. The Participation section details how to obtain your local budget and what key local officials to meet.
A Case Study of California’s Menu labeling Legislation California SB120 Menu Label Case Study.pdf Senate Bill 120 on Food Facilities: Nutritional Information was shepherded successfully through both chambers of the legislature, but vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 14, 2007. It will be reintroduced in January 2008. This case study outlines the political context surrounding the bill, and the “inside” (State House) and “outside” (community and media) tactics being used to try to pass it.
A Case Study in “Grassroots” Lobbying: How MADD Fixed the Flaw in Hawaii’s Drunk-Driving Law How MADD Fixed the Flaw in Hawaii’s Drunk-Driving Law This case study outlines the public policy situation in Hawaii, Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s lobbying strategy and tactics, and ultimately the policy outcome. Other case studies from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation can be found on their site for their Policy Toolkit:
Berkeley Media Studies Group One focus of this group is media advocacy planning to help organizations that want to change policy or influence decision-makers by helping them develop a media advocacy plan, a message strategy and an access strategy for becoming part of the public debate in the news media.
Full Court Press http://www.fcpcommunications.com/index.html Strategic communications and public affairs firm providing various services, including message development, media relations and crisis communications.
Planning for Media Advocacy http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/images/PraxisMedia.pdf This document tells you how to get media coverage, tell your story and frame it for access.
PolicyLink http://www.policylink.org/AdvocatingForChange/Media/Planning.html Tools to help you use the media to advance your advocacy efforts.
The SPIN Project The SPIN Project develops communications skills, infrastructure and leadership thereby strengthening organizations to achieve their social justice goals.
Public Policy & Advocacy Resources Alliance for Justice Alliance for Justice is a national association of environmental, civil rights, mental health, women's, children’s and consumer advocacy organizations. Its website contains a wealth of information on public policy and advocacy work.
California Budget Project The California Budget Project engages in independent fiscal and policy analysis and public education with the goal of improving public policies affecting the economic and social well being of low- and middle-income Californians.
California Endowment Advocacy Toolkit http://www.calendow.org/article.aspx?id=1800&ItemID=1800 The following resources are meant to help community-based organizations build their public policy and advocacy capacity and skills so they can identify their communities’ health needs and potential solutions; effectively communicate these issues to policymakers and opinion leaders; and mobilize their members and leaders to action.
California Endowment Publications http://www.calendow.org/Collection_Publications.aspx?coll_id=62&ItemID=432 Publications on public policy and advocacy work regarding health care and human services
California Women’s Law Center The CWLC’s issue priorities include gender discrimination, violence against women, reproductive justice and women’s health. Find a number of policy reports and briefs on specific topics within those issue areas under their Press/Publications heading.
Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest This website houses resources that promote and support non-profit advocacy and lobbying.
National Women’s Law Center www.nwlc.org The National Women’s Law Center seeks to protect and advance the progress of women and girls at work, in school and in virtually every aspect of their lives.
Pew Research Center This website provides numbers, facts and trends shaping the world.
The Praxis Project’s Information Resource Center http://www.thepraxisproject.org/irc/tools.html The Praxis Project is a national, nonprofit organization that builds partnerships with local groups to influence policymaking to address the underlying, systemic causes of community problems. The tools and publications found on this page may be useful to organizers, researchers and program managers working to develop policies and coalitions at the state and local level.
Public Policy Institute of California This group informs and improves public policy through independent, non-partisan research. It is home to many publications, issue-briefs, fact-sheets and other research resources.
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