Browsing by Author "Van Allen, Elizabeth J."

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    Food insecurity in Indiana (2024)
    (Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, 2024-10-04) Eckert, Marissa; Rapolu, Sreemayi; Gomez, Cecilia; Mullin, Hannah; Bow, Brendan; Schultz, Kristi; Menard, Claire; Van Allen, Elizabeth J.; Vargas, Emanuel
    Food insecurity is a public health concern affecting Hoosiers’ well-being and their ability to contribute effectively to their work and society. In 2022, more than 950,000 Hoosiers struggled to access nutritious food, often due to a lack of adequate or stable income. Food insecurity leads to hunger, malnutrition, and increased risks for chronic diseases. Socially, food insecurity reduces people’s cognitive ability by making it more difficult to concentrate and work effectively. Legislation strengthening funding for the availability of and access to fresh food and assistance programs are positive ways to address food insecurity in Indiana.
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    Homelessness in Indiana (2024)
    (Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, 2024-10-04) Mullin, Hannah; Gomez, Cecilia; Rapolu, Sreemayi; Arun, Nidhi; Bow, Brendan; Schultz, Kristi; Van Allen, Elizabeth J.; Menard, Claire; Thakur, Medhavi
    Over the past six years, rising eviction rates, stagnant state minimum wage, and a statewide shortage of affordable housing have impacted Hoosiers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal funding alleviated some effects of housing instability and homelessness. Without meaningful intervention and prevention, Indiana is at risk of worsening racial discrimination in the housing market, increasing the homeless population, and neglecting those affected by chronic homelessness. Housing instability and homelessness may also lead to new problems, including increases in continuously unhoused youth and incarceration stemming from discriminatory policies related to panhandling, loitering, and vagrancy. Research shows that targeting tenant rights, legal representation, minimum wage, and affordable housing effectively addresses housing problems and homelessness statewide.
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    LGBTQ+ Hoosiers: Barriers to student success
    (Center for Research on Inclusion and Social Policy, 2024-10-04) Dietz, Ted; Morris, Cheyenne; Gomez, Cecilia; Mullin, Hannah; Rapolu, Sreemayi; Bow, Brendan; Schultz, Kristi; Van Allen, Elizabeth J.; Menard, Claire; Thakur, Medhavi
    Young Hoosiers rely on school systems and educators to develop safe and supportive learning environments and expose them to diverse voices. Having access to these environments is particularly important for youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other sexual and gender identities (LGBTQ+). This population experiences increased rates of high-risk behavior1—like alcohol, drug use, and suicide—often due to feelings of isolation or exposure to bullying. Supporting professional development for educators, funding research regarding LGBTQ+ youth in Indiana, and promoting existing youth-based programs will help to meet the needs of young Hoosiers.