Building the Full Stack: Stackable Credentials in ICT

Valley Vision held a regional Information and Communication Technologies careers advisory on October 12. The event showcased strong demand across all occupations and the need for a collaborative and concerted effort to address the expansive gap. According to data shared by the Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research, the ICT industry is set to have a projected 6% job growth over the next five years, accounting for 2,741 annual job openings in the Greater Sacramento six county region. With the median annual wage across the industry at $102,497, it presents a significant opportunity to align community members and priority populations to these lucrative pathways.

Diversity and inclusion were a hallmark of the event. With a current significant gap of 1,371 skilled workers required to meet the demand for ICT careers, the data from Center of Excellence illustrated an underrepresentation of significant portions of our populace. For instance, despite constituting 28% of the total workforce in the Greater Sacramento region, Hispanics and Latinos account for only 15% of the ICT workforce. Moreover, the disparity is pronounced in gender representation, with 71% of ICT workers identifying as male. This significant underrepresentation highlights an untapped potential within communities. By actively engaging and recruiting from underrepresented groups, the industry can not only create a more diverse and inclusive workforce but also benefit from a broader talent pool that better reflects the overall demographics of the region.

Employer representatives shared how ICT positions have become essential in a wide range of companies. The employer panel included representatives from Placer County, Microsoft Philanthropies, City of Roseville, and Swinerton, a national construction company. The discussion covered several key themes, including the most sought-after skills, the importance of recruiting from underrepresented communities, and the goal of providing more internships. In sharing insights about their respective organizations, the panelists showcased their commitment to fostering inclusivity and expanding opportunities for individuals by working more closely with the community colleges.

One specific example showcased specific alignment between a college and employer partner. Swinerton gave details on a partnership with Sierra Community College that demonstrated collaboration between industry and CTE programs. Sierra College created a series of courses matched to the ICT needs of Swinerton construction help desk positions. The college also worked with Swinerton to update job descriptions with matching course numbers in their listed qualifications. This alignment allows students to not only have the opportunity to participate in an internship but also makes explicit the relevance of their education to immediate employment.

The advisory showcased various pathways available for individuals to develop entry-level, ICT-related skills. The Sacramento Public Library shared information on free Adult Education Career Development classes in basic digital literacy and career readiness, including free certifications from Coursera and Gale, in cyber security and data analysis. Byte Back, a community based organization whose mission is to close the digital divide by providing under-resourced communities an equitable pathway into the digital economy, detailed their free 360 Digital Navigators program designed to help people gain technical digital skills. Their community-2-community approach supports digital navigators with the skills, resources, and knowledge necessary to assist fellow community members with gaining internet access and navigating everyday digital tasks imperative to work, health, education, and life. These two programs are examples of accessible building blocks in under-resourced communities that can be essential components of developing inclusive ICT career pathways.

All participants emphasized the need for continuous education and training in the field and illustrated how stackable skills and certifications, from community organizations to community colleges and industry partners, can collaborate to meet the current and projected demand. Additionally, continuous learning enables workers to stay updated with the necessary skills to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven workplace. Employer and workforce system partners working in collaboration can design effective pathways from neighborhoods to these promising careers.

Alarming Workforce Gap in Mental and Behavioral Health Careers

Valley Vision held our anticipated advisory on Mental and Behavioral Health careers on September 21st. The purpose was to convene employers, industry representatives, and partners to dive into the hiring needs and trends within the industry. Most significant from the advisory was the challenging gap in meeting the increasing demand for professionals. A workforce gap existed pre-pandemic, however, with its onset the need for qualified personnel has surged. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, an industry expert expressed, “There aren’t enough in the world. Demand has skyrocketed since the pandemic. I wish we had a gigantic army that could meet the need.”

The event featured Ebony Benzing, Interim Director of the North (Greater Sacramento) Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research, presenting labor market information that revealed a striking demand for Mental and Behavioral Health Jobs (MBH) professionals in various job categories. In 2022, the Greater Sacramento region boasted over 25,000 jobs, with projections indicating a 14% growth rate by 2027. Job postings in the Greater Sacramento region have risen by 22% in the last 12 months, with more than 6,954 job postings. The growth is particularly pronounced in entry-level and paraprofessional roles, and psychiatric technicians. There is a significant gap between the number of jobs available and the number of students receiving related certifications and degrees (1,452) indicating a pressing need for educational and training programs to address this shortage of skilled professionals.

The event included two keynote speakers; Christie Gonzales, Chief Program Officer at WellSpace Health, and Anne Powell from Health Care Access & Information (HCAI). Gonzales emphasized the importance of hiring individuals with lived experiences from the community to provide equitable healthcare. She stated personal disclosure is valued in this field and allows practitioners to bring a unique perspective and understanding to their work.

Powell’s keynote on Behavioral Health Workforce Opportunities detailed initiatives that include expanding educational capacity, providing scholarships and loan repayment for aspiring health professionals, and supporting institutions dedicated to strengthening the mental healthcare workforce pipeline. HCAI, which supports diverse health workforce initiatives that serve underserved areas, is also launching a certified wellness coach position to provide behavioral health support to children and youth.
To dive deeper into the hiring needs of the MBH workforce, Valley Vision convened an employer panel of industry professionals, which included

Jessie Armenta, Clinical Director, La Familia Counseling Center
Christie Gonzales, Chief Program Officer, WellSpace Health
Shanine Coats, Director, Sacramento County Office of Education
Emilio Licea III, Behavioral Health Manager l Consortium Director, Kaiser
Jeneba Lahai, Executive Director, Yolo County Children’s Alliance

Throughout the panel discussion, one theme became clear: valuing individuals with lived experiences from their respective communities should be at the forefront of mental behavioral workforce initiatives. To develop a skilled workforce from within the local community, panelists emphasized the need to expand MBH careers beyond traditional roles like psychiatrists. The panelists highlighted the significance of early engagement and talent cultivation, describing volunteer and internship opportunities for individuals in high school and beyond, to foster interest and develop a skilled workforce from within the local community.

Along with this, panelists emphasized the significance of relationship-building and practical communication skills, particularly in multidisciplinary and community-based settings. The employers also described the need to meet administrative demands and emphasized the importance of organization, basic accounting, and notetaking skills. Additionally, they shared common challenges in the field such as burnout, and the need for creating healthy boundaries and utilizing effective time management.

The advisory concluded with a discussion about the importance of career exposure and highlighted various local onramp, career education programs focusing on mental and behavioral health careers. Free, short-term career education programs offered by the Yolo County Office of Education provide introductory training in areas such as Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions, Community Health Worker, Social Work, and Human Service Skills. Additionally, Sacramento Employment Training Agency (SETA) offers paid training programs for adults with lived experiences, preparing them for entry-level positions in the field. Kaiser Permanente also offers training programs and paid internships for college and high school students interested in pursuing a career in mental health.

In addition to the advisory bringing to light specific information about the significant workforce challenges, the event served as a collaborative space for state officials, employers, educators, and partners to discuss existing opportunities to help bridge the gap. By working together to support and invest in these programs, individuals, organizations, and local employers can develop the diverse and skilled workforce needed to meet the growing demand, ensuring accessible and quality mental and behavioral health services for us all.

Agricultural Biomass: Putting the Pieces Together

California’s progress on biomass utilization is like putting together a puzzle – we have the edges in place, but we are still figuring out how everything connects in the middle. Biomass is an enormous opportunity to address our energy and agricultural/forest management needs, but there are significant barriers to scalable use of the abundant resource – or waste stream, depending on how you view it.

Source: Fruit tree orchard in Winters, CA (Yolo County)

On October 5th, 2023, Valley Vision staff had the opportunity to visit the City of Winters in Yolo County for a two-day conference on the opportunities and challenges of agricultural biomass. The conference was hosted by the Sacramento Valley Basinwide Air Pollution Control Council, who brought together a group of local and state stakeholders including agricultural businesses, regulators, policymakers and researchers. At the conference, stakeholders zeroed in on the current landscape of agricultural biomass, and fueled discussions around opportunities for agricultural biomass utilization. 

We were able to hear from business and research experts in the biomass space, discuss benefits of alternative uses of agricultural biomass, and learn from agricultural producers about their experiences with agricultural biomass applications.

The Current Landscape of Agricultural Biomass

Source: Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Rural-Urban Connections Strategy (2014)

There are three primary sources of biomass – biomass derived from municipal waste, biomass derived from agriculture, and biomass derived from forests. Agricultural biomass is agricultural waste, comprising food scraps, orchard trimmings, nut shells, and livestock waste. In the Central Valley, the agricultural industry is a leading economic driver, resulting in abundant and renewable agricultural biomass from farming operations as a continuously-generated resource. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture in 2022, agriculture accounted for $55 Billion in economic activity, equating to tons of agricultural waste that either ends up in landfills or is discarded in open burning.

Why Ag Biomass?

Adding to the abundance of agricultural biomass present in our local and regional economy, there is an increasing need to sustainably, economically and equitably manage this resource. At the conference in Winters, diverting agricultural biomass for alternative uses and associated benefits was discussed. Below are some key takeaways from the conference:

• Climate change impacts – the largest source of methane gas is from the agricultural sector, followed by landfills and the energy sector
• Open burning of agricultural biomass contributes to poor air quality through increased emissions and prevents our region from meeting state and federal air quality standards
• There is an increasing need for clean, renewable energy and fuel sources 
• Open burn piles endangers residents and wildlife
• Benefits to agriculture include improved soil, plant health and water efficiency from compost and mulching applications

Envisioning a Future for Ag Biomass:

Source: Agricultural Biomass Conference in Winters, CA (Oct. 2023).

Notably, we are in the middle of a clean energy transition and biomass utilization plays a key role in this transition. Agricultural biomass utilization is a multi-benefit approach to managing agricultural waste and mitigating climate change impacts. It is a viable strategy that strengthens rural-urban connections and public-private partnerships, which is what we need in order to solve our region’s most pressing issues. Agricultural biomass should be branded as a value-added resource and not just waste that ends up in landfills or burned in open piles. 

Currently, there is a high demand for renewable fuel sources as our state moves towards carbon neutrality and more modernized biomass facilities are much needed in our region. Modernized facilities are an opportunity for the agricultural industry, including local and regional governments and private sector interests to manage agricultural waste efficiently and sustainably, as well as provide valuable and marketable resources that support other sectors, too. The time to act is now as massive federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are coming our way. If we envision a more sustainable and resilient future, we must collectively get behind a solution and the opportunities for agricultural biomass must be put on the table. 

---

Kathy Saechou is a Valley Vision Project Coordinator staffing the Clean Economy and Food & Agriculture Impact Areas.

The Second Annual Livability Summit

Valley Vision is gearing up for our second annual Livability Summit to be held October 30th at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center. We are truly excited for another year of bringing our region together to focus on the key issues that matter for quality of life and the health and well-being of the people, communities, and our environment. The Livability Summit is two-fold for us: it is a wellness check for the region centered in data and lived experience and it is a collaboration conference that builds bridges across diverse groups and individuals and provides a time for connection and exchange – catalyzing action for Valley Vision and for others across the region. Together – these elements speak exactly to Valley Vision’s DNA: we build bridges across diverse groups to collaboratively bring about solutions to pressing challenges in the region. 

We are particularly excited about the program this year with a dual focus on transformation and building economic equity in the region. We believe that transformation starts with a welcoming, diverse, inclusive, interactive environment. We create that space by setting a diverse table, creating an expectation of respect and safety, and inviting a wide array of views to be shared. In this context, there are some key program content areas that I want to highlight.

• We will unveil the findings of the 2023 Livability Poll – an annual public opinion poll that Valley Vision conducts in partnership with Sacramento State’s Institute for Social Research. This will ground the event with data straight from residents in our region about their experiences and perceptions of quality of life. Check out last year’s Livability Poll Report.

• We will have sessions looking at examples of transformation when it comes to both commercial corridors and neighborhoods – this will provide on the ground looks at what it takes to transform our built environment and mobilize community action for change.

• We will feature Judith Taylor, HR&A Advisors, as our keynote speaker. Judith will bring her extensive experience in inclusive economic development to provide a values-driven and practical approach to implementing transformational, yet achievable change. 

• The focus on building economic equity will be centered on a transformative opportunity for our region – the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) Program. We will dive in together to imagine an economy that works for all. 

• Finally, we have a new program element that I am excited about – a Lead from Any Seat panel. As our tagline says, “Your voice belongs, your voice makes change.” We will bring this to life by asking you, the audience members, to join the stage and share your lived experiences on key topics that matter in your life and community.

This event rests on the belief that a healthy civic culture requires care and feeding – we must create experiences that bring diverse people and perspectives together. Every person has a valuable contribution to bring and every voice matters when it comes to building livable communities. For this reason – we can’t wait to come together on October 30th to work together to advance transformative change that supports livable, equitable, and prosperous communities.

We can’t wait for the event, and we hope to see you there! Click here to register.

West Coast’s Young Leaders Visit Farm-to-Fork Capital

Flashback to Project Leader Adrian Rehn’s blog from five years ago: “Our team looks forward to harnessing this momentum, expanding our community partnerships, and doing another mind-blowing thing in the not-too-distant future.”

Five years and one pandemic later, the Sacramento Hub of the Global Shapers – the youth leadership network of the World Economic Forum – has done it again! From September 22-24^th, Sacramento Hub members hosted young leaders from San Francisco, Oakland, and Phoenix for a weekend full of connection, impactful dialogue, and challenging preconceived notions while showcasing the best of Sacramento’s arts and culture.

Valley Vision has been the fiscal agent for the Global Shapers – Sacramento Hub for several years. Through this formal partnership, the Sacramento Hub has access to a high-performing and trusted local nonprofit that manages its finances and records, keeping things running smoothly. For Valley Vision, the Global Shapers bring a unique connection to the global community not found in other young leaders groups, which further boosts VV’s toolset in advancing the livability of the Sacramento region.

Sacramento: More than Just a Capital

The 2023 Global Shapers West Coast Retreat, as it was billed, was a revelation for many in that it shattered preconceived notions about Sacramento. While often seen only as just the capital of California, Sacramento proved to be much more. As Amy Vatcha, a San Francisco Global Shaper, put it: 

“From the innovations in indoor farming & microgreens, to the art walks/art exhibitions/murals, to the salsa and bachata night at Dance on the Edge on the waterfront, I experienced the depth and variety of what Sacramento has to offer.”

Members of the Sacramento Hub were encouraged to shape the retreat based on their own connections to the city and their interests, including but not limited to:

• Guided tours of Sacramento’s many murals and art installations
• A private tour of the California State Capitol building
• A meet-and-greet with local urban agriculture leaders and entrepreneurs
• Salsa dancing lessons on the Old Sacramento Waterfront
• Leadership development sessions and cross-Hub skill-building

Connecting Young Leaders Beyond Boundaries

Beyond its role in showcasing Sacramento’s vibrant culture, the retreat emphasized the importance of connecting young leaders outside of their existing networks to think globally, and act locally. Adam Shipley, the Phoenix Hub’s curator, noted:

“Understanding perspectives across industries, demographics, and geographies helps us all create and maximize our community impact. [The] Sacramento Hub took the first proactive step in launching new dialogues.”

With this emphasis, the retreat underscored the significance of breaking down barriers and fostering a more holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. It demonstrated that when young leaders unite with open hearts and minds, they can collectively address pressing issues and create a more interconnected, prosperous world.

Authentic Fellowship and Community Connection 

Throughout the retreat, Shapers experienced the commitment to authenticity that has made the Sacramento Hub a long-lasting group. As Raphaël Tshitoko, San Francisco’s Vice Curator, put it:

“I can see how they’ve carefully nurtured their connection within their Hub, leading to genuine enjoyment of each other’s company, to how they’ve nurtured their connection to their community, intentionally creating spaces of togetherness but also being connectors by associating with and supporting leadership in their own neighborhood.”

Sacramento Hub members emphasized the importance of deep camaraderie rooted in shared values and experiences, where members actively nurture relationships within their group while also engaging passionately with their local community. This authentic bond goes beyond networking, fostering lasting connections and a sense of trust, unity, and shared purpose among its members.

Ultimately, the West Coast Retreat was a resounding success, leaving participants feeling optimistic and energized for their future involvement with their communities. The Sacramento Hub could not have pulled off this production without the help of our fantastic sponsors: Balanced Body, UC Davis Graduate School of Management, Councilmember Karina Talamantes, Revolution Winery, and our longstanding fiscal agent, Valley Vision.

To keep up with Valley Vision’s work to advance livability in the Sacramento region, subscribe to our Vantage Point email newsletter!

Students Call for More Mentorships, Access and Support

Valley Vision joined youth, employers, educators, and service providers for the Sacramento Youth Summit on August 9th.  The event, led by Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg’s Office and co-sponsored by Sacramento State, aimed to unite young individuals aged 16 to 24, employers, educators, and service providers. The goal was to learn about and address the challenges the city’s youth face as they transition from education to employment.

The morning session included opening remarks by Mayor Steinberg, President Wood, and others emphasizing the importance of cooperation and dedication to driving change for equitable access to programs and mentorships for the city’s youth. Following, the day’s activities were divided into two tracks: one for employers, educators, and practitioners, with a second for youth.   

Valley Vision’s 21st Century Workforce Impact area team attended the event and hosted a breakout session for youth participants.  Liz Kilkenny, Project Associate, noted the emphasis from youth panelists on the need for more mentorships.  “Youth expressed a desire for more opportunities to be with people who share their demographics and history, who have already walked the path they are trying to walk and have become successful.  They want mentors who can show them the way, not just point them in a direction.”  Project Associate DiAngelo Andrews noted young people are voicing the same concerns throughout the region in multiple initiatives he has participated in.  “Young people are consistently expressing a need to address transportation and safety concerns, and the need for clear access to resources with support on how to use them to be successful in employment and their overall lives. The same problems have existed generationally; the time to solve them is now.”  Project Leader Hilary Tellesen shares, “Young people are hungry for someone to guide them to and through resources and processes, including applying for scholarships, job applications, interview preparation, and researching careers.”  

During the interactive breakout session, Valley Vision hosted entitled “What Employers Are Looking For,” youth learned about the top in-demand skills represented in job posting data and what those skills mean. Our team shared the importance of developing adaptable workplace skills, including communication, teamwork, and overall professionalism to meet the needs of employers in a constantly changing marketplace. Youth had an opportunity to create an introductory elevator pitch and practice with their peers.  Additional information was provided on how skills are changing with the increase in technology adoption and guidance on how to be prepared for the future of work.  Youth attendees were meaningfully engaged, asked good questions, and were actively searching for practices to improve their opportunities to transition to a successful career.  

In summary, the Sacramento Youth Summit allowed young community members to express their opinions and share their perspectives to inform Sacramento’s educators, employers, service providers, and decision makers.  Youth attendees gained practical knowledge and had ample networking time with many panelists and industry representatives. The summit facilitated significant conversations and encouraged cooperative efforts between industry experts, workforce stakeholders, and program developers to address future labor and skills shortages by engaging the city’s youth.  Valley Vision was pleased to be involved and do our part to foster a highly skilled and adaptable workforce that meets regional employers’ evolving needs.

Reinventing Our Communities (ROC): A Coast-to-Coast Convening

On July 21st, 2023, Valley Vision had the unique opportunity to visit Cleveland, Ohio for an in-person gathering of cohorts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Reinventing Our Communities (ROC) Program. The ROC Cohort Program is an in-depth racial equity training program for cross-sector community groups across the U.S. to apply local solutions to increase opportunity and strengthen local economies. Valley Vision served as the facilitator for the Yolo County cohort, which consisted of the following organizations:

• Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency/YoloWorks!
• Yolo County Public Health
• Yolo Workforce Innovation Board
• Winters Chamber of Commerce
• Woodland Community College
• Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

Joined by several other cohorts across the United States, the ROC program provided specialized racial equity training sessions hosted by Race Forward, as well as workforce development workshops from Federal Reserve personnel and industry experts. This program aimed for participants to gain skills and create a tailored racial equity plan that addresses local challenges.

For 2022, the ROC program asked participants to focus on equitable workforce recovery. As Yolo County is known for its abundance of farmland, the Yolo County Cohort chose farmworkers as the demographic to center their year-long project. The consulting firm, Race Forward, helped us shape our goals through an exercise called the Root Cause Analysis.

In this exercise, we were instructed to start with our goal–in this case, a racially-equitable workforce recovery plan for farmworkers–and delve into the obstacles in its path. Some of the obstacles our cohort identified were: lack of adequate funding sources, especially for undocumented individuals; the rising cost of living, including food; unsafe working conditions; and a lack of affordable, sustainable housing.

This exercise helped us create the following framework: 

• Our cohort knew that because farms are busier during certain times of the year, many seasonal employees are hired to work during these specific bursts and are often unemployed during slower, winter months. As a result, the winter months pose a significant challenge to farmworkers, whose quality of life depends on the harvest season. 
• A lack of stable income makes it difficult to afford viable housing and sufficient food for themselves and their families year-round. 
• This issue is even more problematic for undocumented farmworkers who are ineligible for federal aid, such as CalFresh and unemployment benefits.

During this process, the Financial Assistance Plan (FAF) for Farmworkers program was created. The FAF program provided unemployed farmworkers timely and accessible one-time checks of one thousand dollars to be used in the procurement of essential needs during the winter off-season. When it was launched in the spring of 2023 by Yolo County Health and Human Services, the application was highly successful, filling up the available slots in less than a day, which shows the dire need for support for farmworkers. This pilot was a valuable opportunity to test the demand and process, both of which matched our expectations. Our cohort’s hope is to continue this program so that it is more widely accessible to even more farmworkers who need assistance with affording housing and food. 

This project is only one example of what came to fruition during the ROC program. In Cleveland, Valley Vision presented these findings and the FAF program to cohorts from the 2020, 2021, and 2022 program years. In addition to learning about the projects from other regions, attendees received additional in-person racial equity and communications training to take back to their communities.

We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and the organizations who partnered with us to make this possible!

To read more about the 2022 Reinventing Our Communities program, click here. More information about the 2024 application process can be found here.

Building Bridges: Advancing Gender Diversity in the Trades

The trades in the Greater Sacramento region, like many other areas, has long grappled with a significant gender disparity, with men predominantly occupying the majority of roles. However, evolving workforce demographics and the increasing demand for talent have spotlighted the untapped potential and valuable contributions women can bring to these occupations. Fostering a diverse talent pool becomes imperative to ensure industry demands for talent are met. This article explores the challenges facing women, potential solutions, and calls the region to greater action to address this inequity.

Women continue to be significantly underrepresented in the trades, posing a substantial obstacle to achieving gender diversity and hindering progress. Statistics reveal that only 3.5% of individuals enrolled in apprenticeships, a crucial entry point for the industry, identify as women. Nationally, the representation of women in the trades remains low. Gender diversity brings numerous benefits to the trades, enhancing innovation, problem-solving capabilities, improving productivity and teamwork, and reflecting the needs and preferences of diverse stakeholders. Research conducted by The Peterson Institute for International Economics and EY suggests that organizations with diverse female leaders experience a significant increase in their net margin. This research underscores the economic advantages of cultivating a more inclusive workforce.

Women in the trades face various challenges and biases, with the lack of affordable and accessible childcare consistently cited as a significant barrier. As primary caregivers, addressing the need for childcare is crucial to ensure women’s accessibility to trades occupations. Recent developments, such as California’s allocation of $25 million in Equal Representation in Construction Apprenticeship Grants (ERiCA), demonstrate a commitment to creating career opportunities for women, non-binary individuals, and underserved populations in the building and construction sectors. Funds granted can be used for supportive services for childcare, and outreach for state registered construction pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.

Additionally, individuals identifying as women and girls need increased exposure to trades occupations to envision themselves in these roles. Events such as a Women in Skilled Trades Day sponsored by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) play a crucial role in fostering interest and creating connections toward these careers. This event provided on-site childcare to increase participation by women wanting to attend. The event also offered an opportunity to network and learn from experienced professionals. Social factors, including gender role expectations, contribute to many women being less prepared than their male counterparts for positions in the trades resulting in reduced exposure to math and technical skills, familiarity with tools and equipment, and knowledge about the breadth and pathways for these careers.

Fostering gender inclusion in the trades is essential to meet the talent needs of the Greater Sacramento region. Increasing exposure to these lucrative careers by creating career exposure events tailored to the unique needs of women can expand access to more talent and build stronger and more equitable talent pipelines. Efforts to foster a more diverse talent pipeline require challenging stereotypes, confronting biases, improving access to apprenticeships and career pathways, and providing necessary support, such as child care assistance. These efforts will contribute to a more diverse and vibrant workforce in the region, leading to stronger long-term growth, innovation, and economic success for our future.

Building Our Inclusive and Prosperous Economy

Our region has a tremendous opportunity in front of us with the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) to build an inclusive and prosperous economy for our region. Valley Vision, as the CERF Regional Convener, is leading a $5M planning process over the next year to grow a regional coalition that will identify, build, and advance equity-centered economic development opportunities in our eight-county region including Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, and Yuba counties. 

In late June, we kicked off our summer-of-learning together for the coalition featuring Professor Manuel Pastor as our guest speaker for our first coalition-wide meeting. Professor Pastor encouraged us to follow three main guiding principles:

1. Stop talking about “the economy” and start talking about “our economy”: We have ownership over many aspects of our regional economy and this is expressed in how we invest in people, education, communities, and more. Our economic conditions are built by us and we have the ability to build a human-centered economy. 

2. Treat people fairly and our economy will prosper – economies that reduce income, racial, and geographic divide disparities are able to sustain more economic growth and prosperity over time. Creating equitable opportunities for diverse people is not just morally right, it captures more talent and creates more prosperity and a better quality of life for all.

3. To effectively disrupt the existing systems of power, we must expand the circle of belonging and invite those in who have been excluded. Doing this will surface tension and potential conflict – we can’t be afraid to face challenging conversations and social dynamics and need to build effective skills and systems within our coalition that will enable us to navigate these challenges. 

The lessons that he imparted to us, as well as his walk-through of our region’s demographic and economic data that reflect opportunity and challenge areas for us, sets the stage for our regional coalition to understand and advance principles and approaches to inclusive economic development in the scope of the CERF process. You can find the recording and Professor Pastor’s slides here. 

This webinar was the first in a monthly series that will bring in people and examples of inclusive and sustainable economy-building that can help inform and support our coalition as we get deeper into planning and working together as a coalition. Our next learning session is July 27th from 3-5 pm; stay tuned! 

Affordable housing, traffic congestion, and pace of regional growth top respondents’ list of most pressing concerns

SACRAMENTO, CA: May 24, 2023 — Valley Vision, in partnership with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), released new research findings today from a public opinion survey that captured attitudes on the region’s built environment. The poll provides a snapshot of the public’s priorities and concerns with respect to the built environment, including transportation, housing, telework, and public health. 

Respondents overwhelmingly say that they believe the region’s top priorities are increasing affordable housing and reducing traffic congestion. 49 percent of respondents cite their own neighborhood as unaffordable, and 79 percent of respondents think that first-time homeowners will have a more difficult time buying a home in five years. Renters are more likely to view the increasing cost of housing as their biggest concern (64 percent).

“Poll respondents are experiencing hardships associated with rising housing costs and have concerns about what that means for the future,” explained Valley Vision CEO Evan Schmidt. “The findings also revealed that 54% of respondents think we should slow down on housing development despite housing affordability being the biggest concern about growth in the region.” 

Construction of attached housing – apartments, condominiums, townhomes, duplexes, triplexes, etc. – has seen a decreasing share of overall housing construction for at least the last two decades. 31 percent of the region’s existing homes are attached, but that share is shrinking as over 80 percent of homes built since 2001 have been single-family homes. The need for greater housing variety becomes more apparent when the respondent demographics are examined closely. 53 percent of renters say that more attached housing should be prioritized. 

“We understand that our region is fast growing, we know traffic congestion is a major concern, and that we have to address the housing affordability crisis,” said SACOG’s CEO James Corless. “But the question is not if we grow, it’s how we shape that growth. These poll results allow us to make sure we’re listening to the needs and desires of residents while still thinking about how life will be different in 5, 10 and 25 years into the future.” 

93 percent of respondents indicated that they use a personal vehicle most of the time for their commute, however people are commuting less with less predictable schedules compared to before the pandemic. When it comes to other modes of transportation, 53 percent of renters see public transit as a convenient and accessible alternative to cars and 43 percent of respondents noted that walking and bike paths have gotten better in the last five years. At the same time, traffic congestion remains a significant concern for most people. 

“Traffic congestion concerns require solutions that encourage public transit, increased focus on walking and biking, and creating smart road systems that minimize congestion on freeways when possible,” Corless added. 

Notably, respondents feel strongly about more open space for recreation. 64 percent of respondents

said that they would like to see more parks and trails brought to their communities. “We have considerable assets in our region,” said Schmidt. “Local parks, rivers, trails, and open space amenities are time and time again identified as the most important amenities that we have in the region and it’s critically important that we preserve these assets and to enhance their use and quality throughout the region.”

A strong majority of our youngest respondents (18-34 years old) are optimistic and supportive of California’s goal to transition to all-electric vehicle sales by 2035 (72 percent). According to respondents, affordability and lack of adequate charging infrastructure is what is likely to get in the way. 

“Understanding local perspectives like these is critical to making informed decisions and can help regional leadership proactively address expressed public priorities, values, and needs,” said Corless. “SACOG is using these findings to inform the region’s long-range plan, the 2025 Blueprint.” The 2025 Blueprint is the only regional plan that guides investments in transportation and land-use for the region 25 years into the future. Projects included connecting people from where they live to where they work and live, developing mixed use housing choices, and protecting our region’s natural and working landscapes. 

The Built Environment poll was fielded from October through December 2022 by the Institute of Social Research at Sac State. The poll is the latest in a series of studies that Valley Vision has conducted since 2017 to inform policymakers, help target investments, and support data-driven action throughout the region.

“We believe that continuing to develop our understanding of residents’ perspectives about their neighborhoods and lived experiences provides the basis needed to drive positive policy, investment, and regional change,” said Schmidt. “Valley Vision will continue to be an ongoing resource of this type of opinion research on matters important to our future.”

The Built Environment survey respondent group consisted of 1,744 residents from El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Yuba, Sutter, and Yolo counties. The panel is weighted to demographically represent the region and each survey achieves a statistically valid margin of error of not more than +/- 3 percent. Learn more about the polling program by visiting https://www.valleyvision.org/projects/regional-attitudes-opinion-surveys/.

---

For 29 years, Valley Vision has brought people together from across a political and geographic spectrum to design solutions to big regional problems. Valley Vision is a trusted interpreter, commentator, forecaster and work partner for community inspired solutions and widely recognized as a leading research, civic planning and action agency that takes an independent and systemic approach to economic, social, and environmental issues.

Valley Vision to Support New USDA Regional Food Business Center

As announced earlier this month, Valley Vision is proud to be part of the new USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center—one of 12 new Centers across the country that will support a more resilient, diverse, and competitive food system by providing assistance to strengthen local and regional supply chains. The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) is the lead applicant for the Center, and Valley Vision will serve as the Hub Director.

“The Regional Food Business Centers, along with investments through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program, will create new and expanded local market opportunities which will improve farm income, create good paying jobs and build greater resilience in our overall food system,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The Southwest Center covers California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Tribal nations and Colonias Communities along the Southern border are also included. Through its network of partner organizations, the Southwest Center will conduct place-based technical assistance and capacity-building across this four-state region. The goal of the Center is to build a ‘coalition of coalitions’ that delivers multi-sector coordination efforts and business development programs to strengthen local producers’ economic viability, improve the supply chain’s resilience, and center equity in regional food systems.

The Southwest Center was formally announced on May 3rd at Sacramento City Unified School District Central Kitchen. Valley Vision helped coordinate the event, which featured Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary of USDA Agricultural Marketing Service; Congresswoman Doris Matsui, (CA-7); Glenda Humiston, Vice President of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources; Sacramento Supervisor Patrick Kennedy and SACOG Board Chair; Diana Flores and Kelsey Nederveld from Sacramento City Unified Nutrition Services; and Trish Kelly, Managing Director, Valley Vision. 

With local asparagus, potatoes, and grass-fed braised beef served out of the Central Kitchen’s Food Truck—showcasing how Fresh Food to School across the District is sourced from local farmers and prepared at the Central Kitchen—the event highlighted the strength of the local food system, including our diverse partnerships and networks that span across the Sacramento region, exemplifying the goals of the new Center.

The event concluded with a tour of the Central Kitchen, encompassing 50,000 SQ of warehouse space and 50,000 SQ of the facility itself. This tour was an opportunity to demonstrate the food system infrastructure we are building in this region, as well as the types of projects the Southwest Center will support.

The Southwest Center and the Tour of the Central Kitchen would not be possible without the support of Secretary Moffitt, with whom we had the pleasure of meeting the week before during the 2023 Cap to Cap program; Congresswoman Matsui for being a champion for our region’s food system; Supervisor Kennedy, for his leadership that led to the development of the Central Kitchen; and Diana Flores and Kelsey Nederveld, who worked tirelessly to get the Central Kitchen operational. We are extremely grateful for the leadership of Glenda Humiston and her team in supporting diverse partners across the Southwest Region by anchoring the development and implementation of this project.

Trish Kelly will serve as the Director for the Center, supporting network coordination for outreach activities across the four states, development of community partnerships, and knowledge sharing. Grace Kaufman will support Valley Vision’s efforts, including managing stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, network coordination, outreach activities, and resource-sharing across the Southwest region. 

The USDA grant will encompass five years and will contribute to Valley Vision’s capacity to serve as a backbone for the Sacramento region’s food and agriculture system. The project is anticipated to begin this summer. 

The Center’s network of Partners includes the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA); California State University – Chico and Fresno; Occidental College; the Riverside Food System Alliance; the San Diego Food System Alliance; the University of California – Santa Cruz and Davis; Valley Vision; the Arizona Department of Agriculture; the Local First Arizona Foundation; the University of Arizona; the Nevada Department of Agriculture; the University of Nevada – Reno; the Utah Dept. of Agriculture; and Utah State University.

Center Collaborators include a wide network of organizations across the four states, including the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF); the Center for Good Food Purchasing; California FarmLink; Kitchen Table Advisors, Health Care Without Harm, and many others. 

You can find more information about the program and the other Centers here: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/local-regional/rfbcp. 

To read more about the Sacramento Region’s food system projects and the work Valley Vision is supporting, go to WeAreFarmToFork.org. 

If you’d like more information or to get involved with Valley Vision’s food and agriculture work, please contact us at FoodAndAg@ValleyVision.org.

A Federal Advocacy Agenda

Right now is a critical time to be engaged with the Federal government. There are once-in-a-generation resources available for the “big play” investments that our region needs to grow and thrive. Valley Vision has a long history of participating in our region’s annual Cap-to-Cap trip hosted by the Sacramento Metro Chamber.

This year we had leadership, or Co-Chair roles, on four teams (Air Quality, Economic Development, Food & Ag, and Workforce), and Trish Kelly, our Managing Director, served as Honorary Chair of the trip in recognition of her role in the region as a policy expert as well as her many years of Cap-to-Cap leadership. Our five Valley Vision staff who attended advanced our region’s sophisticated advocacy agendas; read about their experiences below.

---

Adrian Rehn

Each year, the Sacramento Metro Chamber puts together an excellent and well-regarded “Capitol-to-Capitol” Federal advocacy program – the biggest of any Chamber-led effort in the country. Attending the program is an enormous honor and privilege, with 407 participants this year, including 100+ freshmen and 100+ elected officials, and a whole lot of others with important leadership roles in our region. This year was no exception – the Chamber absolutely nailed the look and feel of the 2023 program.

Grace Kaufman & Trish Kelly

Each year, Valley Vision’s participation in the Capitol to Capitol provides us an opportunity to advocate for the needs of the Sacramento Region on a national level. This year, the Food and Agriculture team was particularly impactful in highlighting the importance of the food system and the agricultural industry to the region’s economy and overall well-being. The team focused on the importance of supporting local food farms. ranches, food producers, nonprofits, food banks, restaurants, local governments, schools, hospitals, and businesses across the supply chain to ensure access to healthy, locally-sourced food for all. We advocated for improvements in the 2023 Farm Bill that would ensure access to critical programs that address food insecurity – a major challenge in our region – such as CalFresh. The discussions with our congressional delegation and agencies such as USDA and EDA provided the opportunity to highlight several of the region’s food and ag projects, focus on food as medicine, learn about new resources, and elevate our region as a place where all things food and ag are coming together through innovative and collaborative partnerships. 

Over the course of five days, the program was an invaluable opportunity to engage with policymakers and advocate for programs that would benefit the region’s agricultural industry and ensure that everyone has access to healthy, nutritious, and local food. Meeting with congressional and administration leaders who are advancing the National Strategy on Hunger Nutrition and Health led to commitments to continue working together this coming year.

To read more about food and ag in the Sacramento region, check out our website at wearefarmtofork.org.

Renee John

Participating in the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Cap to Cap program provides a well-orchestrated vehicle for regional leaders to advocate in unison on important policy issues. In the area of workforce development, major federal legislation is currently in the reauthorization process. This includes the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which provides the most significant federal investment in workforce education and training programs. Additionally, the National Apprenticeship Act, which has not been reauthorized since 1937, is being shaped and expanded. Participating in meetings with congressional leaders and committees that design these and other legislation brings an opportunity to express what works well, and what is in need of adjustment from the folks doing the work on the ground.

Evan Schmidt

Cap-to-Cap not only enables our region to connect with federal representatives and agencies, but it also creates a concentrated space to connect with each other. Through team meetings, receptions, mixers, and plenty of informal gatherings our region goes to Washington to get things done in the Sacramento region. Key on my mind during the trip was inclusive economic development. Through the Economic Development team, we advocated for our key priorities from the Prosperity Strategy, timely investments in broadband infrastructure, support to build out our innovative ecosystem of entrepreneurs, and a continued emphasis on international trade that connects our businesses to the global marketplace.

With Valley Vision leading the regional Community Economic Resilience Fund effort, we are well-positioned to hone in on the ways that federal partners can help us leverage this state investment to amplify the impact. Our region is also exploring the ways that new legislation might help support regional economic goals. One example is the CHIPS and Science Act – a recent federal investment in high-tech manufacturing designed to strengthen manufacturing, supply chains, and national security. We found our federal partners to be responsive to our goals and we found many opportunities and alignments with them and among each other as we work to support thriving, equitable, and sustainable communities here at home.