In January, 2010, a new public policy institute was created at Santa Monica College and I am privileged to be its Founding Director.  This is an exciting new opportunity for civic engagement and collaboration.

The mission of the Institute is to engage educational, government, service sector and business leaders, students, faculty and policy makers in programs and endeavors related to issues relevant to the communities of Los Angeles County, and beyond. The Institute continuously explores and analyzes social, environmental, political and economic issues in local communities and create a center for civic engagement, community education and collaboration providing educational opportunities, public programming and continuing education.

The Institute has three areas of emphasis:

Community Education and Engagement.  I call this “critical thinking for voters”.  In order to engage community members, the Institute produces a number of community fora which bring prestigious and compelling panelists to address the community and give the participants opportunities for feedback, discussion and education.  .

to stimulate audience discussion on the public policy issues embedded in each of the clips.

Second Program of 2011:

"What's Goin' On?" presented current information on the California budget stalemate,

possibilities for an all-cuts budget, versus taxes approved by voters, and ways in which

commercial property tax levels may be adjusted.  

Panelists:  Assemblymember Julia Brownley and Lenny Goldberg, Executive Director

of the California Tax Reform Association.

Third Program of 2011:

"Public Policy on Broadway, Two" presented selected numbers from the student

production of "Urinetown, the Musical" to stimulate audience discussion on public

utilities, private ownership and legislative mandates.

Fourth Program of 2011:

"Food Equals Life" presented an exploration of hunger, food availability, local

food growing options, school nutrition and education on food.

Panelists: Matthew Sharp, Senior Advocate, California Food Policy Advocates; 

Paula Daniels, Senior Advisor to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Sustainable Food Systems;

Abby Leibman, CEO of Mazon, A Jewish Response to Hunger; and Louisa Cardenas, Master Gardener

Fifth Program of 2011:

"Realignment: It's Not Just For Chiropractors Any More" presented information about

California's new plan to devolve supervision and funding for public safety (prisoners and

probation), health and human services from the state to the counties.

Panelists: Diane Cummins, Senior Advisor to Governor Brown on Realignment; Dr. Mitchell Katz,

Director, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services; Phil Ansell, Director, Los Angeles

County Department of Social Services; Sheila Williams, Deputy CEO for Public Safety Realignment,

Los Angeles County.

Programs in 2010:

Inaugural Gala October 4, 2010 "Eavesdropping on Leadership"

• On October 4,  an exciting and engaging program at the beautiful Broad Theatre officially introduced the Public Policy Institute to the community.  The program featured a wide-ranging discussion between Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Assembly Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass, moderated by Sheila Kuehl.  

"Public Policy on Broadway" June 16th:

•     On June 16th, from 7-9 p.m., the Public Policy Institute presented "Public Policy on Broadway", in collaboration with the amazing students and faculty of the Musical Theatre Workshop at the college.  The 18-student company performed three songs, "The Farmer and the Cowboy", "You Have To Be Carefully Taught" and "Seven and a Half Cents".  Following each song, I engaged the near-to-capacity audience in a socratic discussion about the policy issues raised by each song and what they thought about them.  The discussions were lively and the Edye, the small theatre behind the Broad Stage, was the perfect venue.

Premier Program: April 29th

• Our first, sold-out, community education forum took place on April 29th.  A distinguished panel of presenters presented on the impacts of the state and federal budget wars on local entities and the steps local governments and others are taking in order to maintain services and programs.  The  panel presentations were followed by a lively audience discussion.

    The Panel: 

    On Education: Assemblymember Julia Brownley 
        Chair of the Assembly Education Committee and former President of the SM-Malibu School Board
    On Social Services: Councilmember Abbe Land
        Co-CEO of the Saban Free Clinic in Los Angeles and West Hollywood City Council Member
    On Transportation: Richard Katz
        Member MTA Board, former member California State Assembly, transportation policy consultant
    On Local Government: P. Lamont Ewell
        Former City Manager, City of Santa Monica

The second emphasis of the Institute is Academic:

Student Participation.  This area of emphasis has a truly great number of possibilities for the Institute, including independent study, community internships, participation, for credit, in programs, campaigns, municipal and county offices, non-profit local projects, all with an eye to giving students insight into the many actions that go into the formation of public policy. 

The academic possibilities are also exciting, including, beginning in 2011, the introduction of a new AA degree in Public Policy, as well as a new Certificate program.  Students at SMC will be invited to fulfill 18 units in public policy and specific related topics to receive the certificate.  For information about the AA and Certificate programs, please email Professor Richard Tahvaldaran at tahvildaran_richard@smc.edu.
 
Service to Local Government Officials.  This will involve initial research as to the options currently available to local electeds to develop and improve the skills they need in order to effectively govern.  In some cases, local governments, regional organizations and individuals may identify ways in which the Institute can be of use to them.
 
There are many possibilities for collaboration, as well, with regional entities, other local government institutes, and other academic institutions.