San Diego City Wire

San Diego County's innovative programs have been recognized with California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Challenge Awards. These awards highlight effective and cost-saving initiatives by counties across the state. This year, CSAC acknowledged 16 programs from 11 counties, with San Diego County and Nevada County each receiving two awards. Riverside County led with three awards.

The County of San Diego Office of Equity and Racial Justice received recognition for its Equity Impact Grant Program. This initiative provides $100,000 grants to 20 small nonprofits, offering unrestricted operating funds along with coaching and training for further funding opportunities. The program focuses on grassroots organizations led by individuals from Black Indigenous People of Color communities who often face challenges in securing financial support. The first set of grants was distributed in May 2024, with recipients reporting enhanced capabilities to continue their work. A second round followed in December.

Another award-winning program is the San Diego County Library’s Raising a Reader workshops, aimed at incarcerated adults who are caregivers to children up to five years old. Conducted within a women's incarceration facility, the program promotes early literacy by encouraging reading to children and highlighting the benefits of literacy and library services. Participants receive two free children's books for practice during incarceration that they can take home upon release. The workshops are voluntary and held monthly, addressing issues such as high functional illiteracy rates among juveniles interacting with the court system and generational incarceration risks.