The Heising-Simons Foundation is proud to regularly see its grantee partners featured in media outlets across the country, providing an expert voice on a timely issue or being highlighted for their accomplishments and hard work. Here are some news items that have featured our grantees in January 2019.

50,000 Preschoolers Are Suspended Each Year. Can Mental Health Training for Teachers Make a Difference?
NBC News, January 26, 2019
This article highlights grantee Kidango’s work to train educators on early childhood mental health, in order to help decrease behavioral issues among infants and toddlers. Kidango is supported by the Foundation’s Community and Opportunity program.

Gift to TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health will boost efforts to improve outcomes in children
The Forefront (University of Chicago, Medicine), January 22, 2019
The Thirty Million Words Center for Early Learning and Public Health (the Center) at the University of Chicago has obtained a $4.2 million gift from the Ballmer Group, in order to embed various family engagement programs and interventions into the healthcare system. The Center is supported by the Foundation’s Education program.

Greenland’s Melting Ice Nears a ‘Tipping Point,’ Scientists Say
The New York Times, January 21, 2019
This roundup of scientific studies analyzing how climate change is affecting Greenland’s melting ice sheet features polar scientist Sarah Das from the Wood Hole Oceanographic Institution. Dr. Das is the co-author of a recent study which shows that “losses from the Greenland ice sheet have reached their fastest rate in at least 350 years.” Dr. Das’ research is supported by the Foundation’s Science program.

Court Upholds California’s Tough Emissions Reduction Standards
San Francisco Chronicle, January 18, 2019
Following a federal court’s decision upholding California’s low-carbon fuel standards, lawyers for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) provided their insights for this article. NRDC and EDF are supported by the Foundation’s Climate and Clean Energy program.

Spokesman-Review Wins Grant for Public Health Reporting
The Spokesman-Review, January 17, 2019
The Spokesman-Review has been named a recipient of a Report for America grant in order to expand its public health coverage in the Inland Northwest. Report for America is supported by the Foundation’s Community and Opportunity program.

How Can Philanthropy Advance Martin Luther King’s Goals? 13 Leaders Weigh In
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, January 18, 2019
Brian Malte, executive director of the Hope and Heal Fund, reflects on the role of gun violence “as both driving and reinforcing racial and economic inequality,” and the need for philanthropy to invest in the communities most affected by this issue. The Hope and Heal Fund is supported by the Foundation’s Community and Opportunity program.

Small Loans Make Big Difference for Businesses Owned by Women, Minorities
San Francisco Chronicle, January 13, 2019
The Opportunity Fund is featured in this article highlighting Bay Area nonprofits that provide small loans to low-income entrepreneurs so they can jumpstart their businesses. The Opportunity Fund is supported by the Foundation’s Community and Opportunity program.

Proposed Women’s Jail in Lancaster Losing Support from LA County Supervisors
Los Angeles Daily News, January 8, 2019
“We can finally claim this victory after seven years,” the JusticeLA Coalition says of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors’ decision to postpone a vote that would have approved new construction for a women’s jail about seventy miles away from downtown Los Angeles. JusticeLA is a program housed under Dignity and Power Now, which is supported by the Foundation’s Human Rights program.

To Clean Up Climate Pollution, Get California’s Buildings Off Of Fossil Fuels
Sacramento Bee, January 5, 2019
“Buildings are also the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California, but we have no clear path forward to address these emissions,” writes Panama Bartholomy, director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, in this op-ed for the Sacramento Bee. The Building Decarbonization Coalition is supported by the Foundation’s Climate and Clean Energy program.