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 September 2018.

Holding Back Methane: State Steps Up as Federal Regulations Relax
Wyoming Public Media, September 28, 2018
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is featured in this article discussing the consequences of the federal administration’s rollback of methane emissions regulations, as well as proposed actions the state of Wyoming could take to regulate this natural gas. EDF estimates that, nationally, about “$2 billion worth of natural gas is lost on public lands from leaks, venting, and flaring.” EDF is supported by the Foundation’s Climate and Clean Energy program.

PEN Honors SoCal Writers With 2018 Literary Awards
Los Angeles Times, September 27, 2018
Jaeah Lee has received a journalism award from the Los Angeles office of PEN America, for her article “After the Shooting,” which follows a mother who lost her son to a police shooting. Ms. Lee is one of the inaugural recipients of the Foundation’s American Mosaic Journalism Prize.

New Money and Energy to Help Schools Connect With Families
Education Week, September 25, 2018
School districts in California are focusing on reaching out to families that face financial, cultural, and language barriers to fully participating in their children’s schooling. The National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement, which is supported by the Foundation’s Education program, is featured in this article.

California’s Paid Family Leave Program Leaves Many Behind, Study Says
Pasadena Star-News, September 21, 2018
Grantee PL+US Paid Leave for the United States has released a report examining how California’s landmark paid family leave program leaves too many working families behind, including public school teachers. PL+US Paid Leave for the United States is supported by the Foundation’s Education program. 

California’s Children Fall Behind Before They Start School, And Some Never Catch Up, Study Finds
Los Angeles Times, September 18, 2018
This article highlights several key findings from a report that focuses on the need to further invest in infant and toddler care, parenting skills, preschool, and early childhood education. “It’s not just a problem for low-income families, although affordability is a serious issue,” says Deborah Stipek, one of the report’s lead researchers. “It’s a problem for many, many families because fewer people are going into being providers for child care.” The study was supported by the Foundation’s Education program.

Electric Vehicles for Low-Income Residents Could Be Crucial in California 
ABC News, September 18, 2018
This article discusses the importance of ensuring electric vehicles become available to Californians with low incomes. Joel Espino from the Greenlining Institute says that “[w]e want to make sure that everyone can access electric cars regardless of race, income, zip code. We want everyone to benefit.” The Greenlining Institute is supported by the Foundation’s Climate and Clean Energy program.

Hard-to-Count Populations Will Lose Federal Funding
U.S. & World Report News, September 14, 2018
A new study by Georgetown Washington University’s Institute of Public Policy shows that moving to a digital census will exacerbate undercounting in rural states, which may affect how federal dollars are allocated for agricultural and related programs. The report was supported by the Foundation’s Community and Opportunity program.