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Community Impact
The Institute for Social Research is committed to serving the Sacramento Region by partnering with local agencies and communities to conduct applied research. Below we highlight the results of our recent projects that contribute to a greater understanding of our region and state. To read more about our work, visit Our Projects page.
Landscape Study of Community Based Organizations in Sacramento County
NOVEMBER 2024 | The County of Sacramento (County) is exploring how to better work with local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and deepen their impact in high-need communities. To do this, the County partnered with the Institute for Social Research (ISR) at Sacramento State University to conduct a landscape study of local CBOs. The goal of the study is to identify barriers to partnering with the County and to learn how the County can actively support CBO capacity building. The County is currently using study findings to improve internal processes and supports for CBOs.
Public Health Policy Roadmap for Violence Prevention
The California Department of Public Health, Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI) is partnering with ISR to conduct qualitative research and policy analysis that will inform a statewide Public Health Policy Roadmap for Violence Prevention. This roadmap will inform California state and local decision-makers and public health practitioners about effective and promising public health policies and primary prevention strategies that address firearm violence and other forms of violence. ISR is collaborating with CDPH/VPI to conduct a literature review and policy landscape analysis; interview representatives from State agencies; survey local public health and behavioral health departments; and interview violence prevention specialists from across California and the US. In additon, ISR is partnering with community-based organizations to gather insights from community members about approaching firearm violence prevention efforts at the local level.
Yolo County Food Access Survey Reveals High Levels of Food Insecurity
The Yolo Food Bank, in partnership with the Institute for Social Research, has released findings from the Yolo County Food Access Survey. This groundbreaking survey, the first of its kind in California, gathered responses from nearly 4,000 Yolo County households to assess use of charitable food systems, culturally appropriate foods, CalFresh enrollment, and overall food security.
The survey revealed that nearly 1 in 3 households in Yolo County, the most impoverished county in the state, are struggling with food insecurity.
Community Engagement in Sacramento's River District
JANUARY 2024 | In collaboration with the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), the Institute for Social Research (ISR) serves as the evaluation partner for the Sacramento Integrated Multimodal Place Based Living (SIMPL) Project in the River District’s Promise Zone. Supported by Transformative Climate Community (TCC) Program, the Project engages the key strategies of equitable housing and neighborhood development, transit access and mobility, decarbonized energy, urban greening and green infrastructure, health and wellbeing. As part of the evaluation, ISR provides biannual case studies of various local project partners and activities in the Promise Zone’s River District. The January 2024 Case Study follows the story of the immense community effort involved in advocating for the Dos Rios Light Rail Station and other alternative transit in the River District.
Community Efforts Lead the Way in Sacramento's River District Transit Plans
Sacramento Region Livability Poll
October 2023 | Valley Vision and the Institute for Social Research (ISR) have released the latest findings from the Sacramento Region Livability Poll. The 2023 Livability Poll is a broad-based quality of life poll, tracking residents’ experiences with issues such as affordability of necessities, access to services, job and career satisfaction, safety and belonging, as well as residents’ perspectives of the Sacramento Region. It is demographically representative of the Capital region, encompassing Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba counties. The report below represents the 13th poll, conducted in partnership with Valley Vision since 2017 using the Sacramento Regional Panel.
Preventing Gun Violence in Sacramento
June 2023 |The Institute for Social Research (ISR) at Sacramento State partnered with the Sacramento Police Department (SPD) to conduct listening sessions in neighborhoods with concentrated levels of gun violence. The ISR designed the sessions in collaboration with SPD Outreach and Advancement, the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), as well as Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center, Brother 2 Brother Mentoring, and Shiloh Baptist Church to conducted four listening sessions in Sacramento communities with concentrated levels of gun violence. The sessions were an opportunity to hear directly from residents and youth living within these neighborhoods, learn more about their specific needs, and gather recommendations about strategies for SPD to reduce gun violence. Residents provided two main recommendations for increasing safety within their communities. First, residents recommended that the city provide equitable community resources and supports for youth across neighborhoods. Second, residents highlighted the need to build trust between SPD and the community and recommended that SPD increase their engagement efforts and focus on community-oriented policing.
The Built Environment
May 2023 | Results from the latest poll from the Sacramento Regional Panel, the Built Environment Poll, was released and highlights the perceptions and realities associated with increasing housing costs, traffic congestion, and the changing set of needs and expectations of today’s workers and individuals. This poll is a project of Valley Vision and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), in partnership with the Institute for Social Research at Sacramento State.
Status of Children and Youth in Sacramento County
April 2023 | The Sacramento County’s Children's Coalition released their 2022 report card detailing the status of children and youth in Sacramento County. The Institute for Social Research at Sacramento State partnered with the Child Abuse Prevention Center to present findings on wellness indicators in five result areas: family economic well-being, education, health and wellness, safety, and social and emotional well‐being. The report was presented to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in April and is intended to be a community resource for local agencies and community-based organizations working to improve the lives of children, youth, and families.
Regional Perceptions of Gun Violence
September 2022 | Perceptions of Gun Violence in the Sacramento Region is the last in our series of community briefs that focus on public safety issues. Almost 2,000 residents were surveyed to understand regional perceptions and experiences related to gun violence following the April 3rd mass shooting in Downtown Sacramento. We found that the region’s perception of gun violence has been greatly impacted by current events and the frequency of mass shootings, both locally and nationally. Gun violence has grown in our communities and is perceived by the majority of residents as a local problem, especially in the more urban counties in the region. Overall, gun violence has touched a high proportion of the region’s residents, with victimization and the concern about future victimization disproportionately impacting people of color.
Perceptions of Gun Violence in the Sacramento Region Community Brief
Regional Experiences with Homelessness
August 2022 | Like many regions in the state, the Sacramento Region is grappling with the growing number of individuals who are unhoused and its implications on public space and safety. Many residents encounter homeless encampments on a regular basis as they go about their day-to-day lives. To better understand residents’ awareness and experiences related to the issue of homelessness, this poll was conducted in May 2022 to align with the annual Point-in-Time counts implemented in each county. This poll was administered to almost 2,000 residents across the Sacramento Region using the Sacramento Regional Survey Panel, an ongoing research collaboration with Valley Vision.
Experiences with Homelessness in the Sacramento Region Community Brief
In the news:
Fox 40| Poll shows support for tax increase to fund homeless services