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Five Years Later: How Ohio Leaders Are Acting on Racism as a Public Health Crisis

In 2020, numerous Ohio leaders, including those in Columbus and Franklin County, declared racism a public health crisis, committing to address systemic inequities. Since then, initiatives such as Columbus Public Health’s Center for Public Health Innovation have implemented programs like the “Vax Cash” incentive, a flavored tobacco ban, and the establishment of the Office of […]

Ohio Budget Plan Sparks Backlash Over Forced School Closures and Sales

This article by the Statehouse News Bureau examines a provision in Ohio’s proposed budget that would allow the state to force the closure of underused public school buildings and require districts to sell them to charter or private schools at below market value—something school leaders like Canton Superintendent Jeff Talbert call unfair to local taxpayers. […]

Millions at Risk: GOP Bill Could Slash SNAP Benefits, Says CBO Report

This article examines how a recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis indicates that over 3 million individuals could lose access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under a Republican-backed bill passed by the U.S. House. The legislation proposes stricter work requirements and shifts a portion of SNAP funding responsibilities to states, potentially adding $14 […]

Split U.S. Supreme Court Halts First Religious Charter School in Landmark Decision

This Reuters article examines the U.S. Supreme Court’s 4-4 split decision on May 22, 2025, which effectively blocked the creation of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma—the nation’s first proposed taxpayer-funded religious charter school. The tie, resulting from Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s recusal due to potential conflicts of interest, upheld the Oklahoma […]

Communicating about Democracy Under Threat

This article by the FrameWorks Institute explores the challenges in conveying the fragility of democratic institutions to the public. It identifies three main obstacles: the tendency to equate government solely with current leaders, the belief that American actions inherently define democracy, and the abstract nature of concepts like authoritarianism, which can feel disconnected from daily […]

House Budget Cuts Aid to Fund Deportations and Tax Breaks for the Wealthy

This article from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) details how the House’s budget reconciliation bill drastically cuts critical supports like Medicaid, SNAP, and the Child Tax Credit, which disproportionately harms low-income families and communities of color. According to CLASP, the bill redirects these funds to expand immigration enforcement—allocating $45 billion for agencies […]

REFOCUS: A New Lens for Leading Through Crises

At ACS, we don’t just build tools—we refine them. When we find new approaches that help organizations, we integrate them into our resources. ACS has updated its Crisis Communication Worksheet with a reminder to REFOCUS: a powerful, step-by-step mindset tool designed to help leaders pause, regain perspective, and communicate with purpose when the pressure is on. […]

Updates to ACS What to Watch: Parts 1 and 2!

The ACS What to Watch 2025 Update is a critical follow-up to ACS’ Winter 2025 Newsletters: What to Watch: Part 1 and What to Watch: Part 2, confirming that many of the threats we previously identified have materialized; the Trump administration’s aggressive rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, major changes to education policy, […]

ACS Helps You Vote Like a Pro!

Vote Like a Pro: ACS’ Top 10 Tips for Navigating the Polls—a new tool by Advocacy & Communication Solutions—is designed to help U.S. voters feel confident and prepared when heading to the polls; understand your voting rights, stay informed about registration and voting options, and learn to be proactive in planning your Election Day experience.

Introducing the ACS Communication Framework and Dissemination Work Plan!

Advocacy & Communication Solutions, LLC (ACS) is excited to unveil a new tool designed to help organizations communicate with clarity, consistency, and impact. The Communication Framework and Dissemination Work Plan helps your team: Align messaging with your goals and audience needs Identify the best communication channels Streamline internal workflows and responsibilities Respond effectively to change or crisis […]