Here’s a look at some of what’s happening across the Local Progress network.
New Video on Community Responder Programs Shows How We Can Build Real Safety
Across the country, localities are moving towards community responder programs. Teams of trained, unarmed civilians respond to concerns like mental health emergencies, noise complaints, wellness checks and more. Earlier this week, we released a video highlighting programs like these in three different cities – Durham, Oakland, and Albuquerque. Together, we can make our communities safer by providing the right response at the right time. To learn more about community responder programs and possibly start one in your locality, check out our toolkit here. Watch and share the video here →
The Road to Good Cause Kicks Off in New York
Good Cause eviction protections are a set of renter safeguards that guarantee most tenants a new lease, significantly limit rent increase, and stop unjust evictions. In June, Albany became the first city in New York to opt-in to the state’s Good Cause eviction protections. Two months later, three more cities followed suit. But more renters still need these protections. This month, Local Progress New York and Housing Justice for All launched a statewide campaign to get Good Cause guaranteed in dozens of localities. In addition to organizing and strategy support, the campaign is providing a ‘gold standard’ sample resolution that can be used in any locality to opt into Good Cause. Learn more about the campaign here →
How School Boards Can Advance CRE in Their Districts
Across the country, educators and school board leaders are working to bring culturally responsive education (CRE) to their classrooms. Our new toolkit – Advancing Culturally Responsive Curriculum – is a step-by-step guide to integrate cultural understanding into any classroom. Drawing on real-world experiences in school communities from Hawaii to Georgia, this toolkit can assist any school community in ensuring teaching practices speak to the unique needs of their student body. On September 12, the Impact Lab and HEAL Together will be hosting an in-depth webinar to delve deep into the toolkit and hear from educators teaching CRE in their classrooms. Register here →
Check out the latest coverage on the work LP members are doing across the country:
- Is this European city a model for Philadelphia’s affordable housing? One Council member thinks so. | Philadelphia Inquirer
- One Year Later, Local Leaders Must Be Bold Despite “Death Star” Law | Austin Chronicle
⭐️ Get Your Policy Win Highlighted!
We’re partnering with the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center to highlight policy wins on the local level! The Progressive Playbook is a comprehensive guide that shows advocates, legislators, and the public how to achieve real progressive wins. It will highlight successful legislative campaigns and policy victories to provide insights for other advocates and legislators to replicate in their states. If you have a policy campaign or win that you think would be a good addition, please reach out to LP Deputy Communications Director Michael Whitesides and we’ll help you submit a brief for inclusion! The Progressive Playbook is looking for policy ideas of all kinds but is specifically looking for policy wins related to clean energy, reproductive rights, housing, workers’ rights, taxes on the wealthy, and pushback against book bans.
📣 ARPA Deadline is Fast Approaching!
Leaders across the Local Progress network seized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronaivrus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for recovery programs informed by the principles of advancing equity, reimagining public safety and advancing worker’s rights. The deadline for local governments to obligate ARPA SLFRF funds is December 31, 2024. Remember, budgeting is not the same as obligating. For more information about what obligating means, check out this resource.
The vast majority of local elected officials are part-time, unpaid, or minimally compensated. And it can be difficult to find work that can sustain leaders alongside their elected roles. That’s why every month, we’ll be sharing jobs available across the movement:
- National Immigrant Justice Center | Policy Counsel
- Poder NC Action | Communications Manager
- RAZE/RAZA | Organizing Manager
- Wabanaki Alliance | Executive Director
- Hoosier Action | Housing Community Organizer
- Midwest Organizing Infrastructure Funders | Director
- Working Families Party | Various Positions
Additional job boards: Dino DNA | Jeremiah Program | PolicyLink | Jobs That Are Left
