Economic Mobility

Building partnerships internally across divisions and externally with stakeholders investing in the futures of women and girls.

Chanel Smith (Center), speakers panel for the 3^rd Annual Beyond Silos: Domestic Violence and Health Care Partnerships Conference, October 27, 2022.

Los Angeles continues to become increasingly diverse, with women of color now representing almost 70 percent of women in the county.  Poverty is a known social determinant of health.  Low-income women are at higher risk for obesity, substance use, and chronic stress; most often because they can’t afford adequate housing, food, or childcare.

• A higher percentage of low-income women report having food insecurity, living in unsafe neighborhoods often rent-burdened.
• Women living in poverty are 4X more likely to report a fair or poor health status compared to women living at the highest income level.
• Upon further examination of the economic security of women in Los Angeles County, women tend to have lower median employment earnings than Los Angeles County men

Programs that promote and assist with literacy, high school or GED completion, and college attendance are needed to reduce educational inequity. Improvements in education levels will also expand the type of employment opportunities that make it possible to reduce the proportion of women living in poverty.

Small Dollar Grants for Domestic Violence Survivors

In partnership with the American Rescue Plan (ARP), The Center for Financial Empowerment is preparing to launch a Small Dollar Grant program for domestic violence survivors.  Overall, this program will provide $1,250,000 in grants to bolster financial security for survivors of domestic violence who have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles County, especially those from historically underserved and hard-to-reach populations.  Check back in early 2023 to learn more about this new economic relief program.

Women Experiencing Homelessness

Collaborating with community partners to provide gender-responsive services for women experiencing housing instability.

Gender-Based Violence

Reduce the disproportionate impact of violence on women and girls at all stages of their lives in the County of Los Angeles.

In the United States, girls are becoming the fastest growing juvenile justice population.  Black girls experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) at rates higher than their white peers and receive a disproportionate rate of out-of-school suspensions starting as early as preschool.

In partnership with the Institute on Inequity and Democracy (IDD) at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, WGI investigated the school-to-prison pipeline in Los Angeles County to offer policy recommendations that dismantle the problem and enhance the wellness of Black girls.  Learn more about the transformative justice approach in Diverting Black Girls in Los Angeles County from the School-to-Prison Pipeline through Intersectional Policy Solutions.

Los Angeles County Offers Safe Haven for Those Seeking Reproductive Health Services

The Los Angeles County Safe-Haven Access Program (SHAP) is a network of nonprofit partners, reproductive access advocates, and health care providers committed to ensuring safe access to reproductive care.  SHAP coordinates a multifaceted approach for providing steady and reliable reproductive and sexual health care services for residents of Los Angeles County, and for those who travel here seeking safe and confidential abortions and other sexual health care services, including the provision of practical support to cover travel expenses.  SHAP includes plans to ensure a centralized system of sexual and reproductive health care and facilitates the coordination of comprehensive, culturally appropriate training for doctors and support staff, and partners with existing workforce development programs to help promote a viable pipeline of health care providers.  SHAP informs partners in the network of legal developments to maintain physical and professional safety and supports the development of a more formalized, safe, and appropriate referral system as Los Angeles County continues to provide this important care, expand services, and operate as a safe haven for all who seek assistance for their reproductive care needs.