Advocated for policies and supported activities that advance health equity and racial justice in California.

With California facing a budget deficit, 2023 was a vital year for PI to continue boldly advocating for policies that protect and grow investments for community health, safety, and wellbeing, and address racism as an underlying threat to public health. We engaged with grassroots community organizations, statewide advocates, government staff, and elected officials on pressing health issues by partnering with statewide coalitions to expand paid family leave, advance housing as a human right, and inform the implementation of the state’s Racial Equity Commission; developed guidance to the California Natural Resources Agency on how to further “bake” equity into its Outdoors for All Initiative; and mobilized over 70 participants to conduct 18 legislative meetings with state legislators to advocate for equitable health policies at the 19th annual—and first hybrid—ENACT Day, a legislative advocacy day. We continued to serve on the Department of Health Care Services’ Proposition 64 Advisory Group to inform investments in Elevate Youth California, a program which has invested $205 million to date in community-based organizations that foster youth leadership and civic engagement in communities most impacted by the War on Drugs. Last year, we supported the success of essential policy efforts, including bills that increase paid sick and safe days from 3 to 5 days (SB 616) and expand tenant protections and prevent homelessness (SB 567), and a budget initiative to maintain $1.5 million in funding for the Racial Equity Commission.

Funders: Prevention Institute relies only on unrestricted funds to support our limited grassroots and direct lobbying efforts. Non-lobbying support was provided by The California Endowment; Blue Shield of California Foundation; and The California Wellness Foundation.

Image by ENACT Day communications team.