Intersections in Public Service

Latest Episodes:

Student Policy Makers - Alex Moreno - Episode 5 Sep 27, 2019

Show notes

Although the process of making public policy seems intimidating, the Sorensens Institute's High School Leaders Program gives teenagers the tools to become policy makers. In the summer program of 2017, three Charlottesville students took what they learned in the program and went on to pass a mental health education bill into Virginia Legislature. Today on episode 5 of Intersections in Public Service, we talk to one of those students Alex Moreno, about his experience in the High School Leaders Program and what it was like to pass a bill into committee at only 17 years old.

Host: Claire Downey
Guest: Alexander Moreno
Video Editor: Deiontrae Lawrence
Project Manager: Miles Greatwood

Sorensen Institute Website

Weldon Cooper Center Website

Music Credits:

Air Hockey Saloon by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under an Attribution License.
http://chriszabriskie.com/licensing

Climate Change - Scott Doney - Episode 4 Sep 04, 2019

Show notes

Climate change is an issue that affects everyone, but some communities are especially at risk. Today on episode 4 of Intersections in Public Service, we talk to UVa environmental science professor Scott Doney about the impacts climate change will have on Virginia specifically. Scott discusses the specific impacts that changes to the carbon cycle will have, and how those can potentially harm people in Virginia.

Host: Ben Fisher
Guest: Scott Doney
Video Editor: Deiontrae Lawrence
Project Manager: Miles Greatwood

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Music Credits:

Air Hockey Saloon by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under an Attribution License.
http://chriszabriskie.com/licensing

Affordable Housing pt. 3 - Episode 3 May 30, 2019

Show notes

In episodes 1 and 2 of 'Intersections in Public Service', we established some key causes and effects of the affordable housing crisis. We aimed to put on spotlight on public servants providing solutions. In this episode, we find out how people like you can get involved in helping address the housing crisis. We went back and found out how you can help out with the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.

We also explore the Center for Survey Research's brand new project to help Central Virginians get involved in serving their community. In order for governments to make the best decisions, they need to have the best possible data. Survey research has become more and more expensive as traditional means of reaching people has become more difficult. That’s where Tom Guterbock comes in. He’s creating a new way for governments to get survey data: BeHeardCVA. Residents of Central Virginia are able to sign up, and later BeHeard will send them surveys with incentives. This allows residents to have their voices heard and allows the Cooper Center to collect accurate data quickly and cheaply.

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Music Credits:

Air Hockey Saloon by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under an Attribution License.
http://chriszabriskie.com/licensing

Affordable Housing pt. 2 - Episode 2 May 30, 2019

Show notes

In this episode we’re continuing our multi-part series on how public servants are addressing the massive issue of affordable housing in Central Virginia. In episode one, Ed Olsen discussed one of the major causes of the problem, while Antonio Rice showed us the effects. For episode two, we talked with a public servant who had a vision to be a huge part of the solution: Dan Rosensweig.

Dan Rosensweig is the executive director at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville, which is one of the largest and most forward thinking branches of Habitat in the country. Dan is leading the Charlottesville Habitat in an entirely new direction. Rather than addressing housing one home at a time, they’re now beginning to impact Central Virginia housing on a larger scale. Under its "New Paradigm" program, Habitat is renovating entire communities and taking a much more holistic approach to addressing the needs of the families that they partner with.

Terry Rephann, regional economist at the Center for Economic Policy Studies, also joins us to discuss his economic impact study on Habitat, which confirms the very positive results of Habitat.

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Youtube

Research for this episode:

Further Reading:

Cooper Center's Center for Economic Policy Studies

Music Credits:

Air Hockey Saloon by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under an Attribution License.
http://chriszabriskie.com/licensing

Affordable Housing pt. 1 - Episode 1 May 30, 2019

Show notes

This episode starts a multi-part series on how public servants are addressing the massive issue of affordable housing in Central Virginia. Throughout the series, the podcast will dive into what’s causing the problem, what its effects have been, what the solutions are, and how you can get involved. On this episode, we discuss the cause of the problem with UVa Economics Professor Ed Olsen, while Antonio Rice of the Charlottesville Salvation Army gives us a look into some of its effects.

Ed Olsen breaks down the challenges with current affordable housing policy. His research shows that unit-based housing assistance is drastically less efficient than household-based housing assistance. Olsen argues for switching to an entitlement-based voucher program and to include more homeowners. He claims that with a few simple changes, we can serve upwards of 72% more people.

Antonio Rice has seen many of the effects of the housing problem first hand as the Director or Operations at the Charlottesville Salvation Army. The biggest problem with a lack of affordable housing is homelessness, and that's what Antonio seeks to address at his shelter. With an exceptionally holistic approach, Antonio's shelter and other like it have managed to reduce the amount of time people are staying in emergency housing.

Website

Weldon Cooper Center Youtube Channel

Research for this episode:

Further Reading:

Healthcare Triage

Music Credits:

Air Hockey Saloon by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under an Attribution License.
http://chriszabriskie.com/licensing