2006 - 2007 Western Poverty & Policy Small Grants

"Out of Place: The Geography of the Safety Net in the West", Scott W. Allard, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, Brown University Taubman Center for Public Policy

For poor populations living in the sprawling urban and rural communities of the west coast, lack of access to transportation can leave low-income households isolated from obtaining social services. Drawing upon unique survey data and in-depth interviews with program managers of social service agencies, this project will examine the delivery and financing of social services in Los Angeles, Southeastern New Mexico, and the border counties of Southern Oregon and Northern California. Professor Allard’s project will cast insight into location decisions of providers, mismatches between services and areas in need, challenges of funding services, and salient barriers to service receipt.

"State Agency and NGO Impacts on Well Being of Vulnerable Populations in West Coast States: The Case of Food Insecurity and Hunger", Mark Edwards, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Oregon State University

Focusing on hunger and food insecurity in Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, and Alaska in the early 2000s, this study will explore how coordinated efforts by agencies and NGOs, differing economic conditions, and state population and geographic characteristics, influenced measured rates of hunger and food insecurity. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, the study will help resolve a specific question about whether program efforts or other factors impacted the food security situation of state  populations, and will inform debate about whether program  implementation can really improve well-being for vulnerable populations.