# Policy \& Innovation Center

> Discover the Policy \& Innovation Center: a dynamic think tank in San Diego dedicated to cutting\-edge research, uniting stakeholders, and driving evidence\-based policy solutions for systemic regional challenges\.

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## Pages
- [Press Releases](https://thinkpic.org/press-releases/)
- [Are the Kids Alright? San Diego’s Most Comprehensive Youth Report Reveals Nearly Two Decades of Progress and Challenges](https://thinkpic.org/press-releases/are-the-kids-alright-san-diegos-most-comprehensive-youth-report-reveals-nearly-two-decades-of-progress-and-challenges/)
- [Behavioral Health](https://thinkpic.org/work/behavioral-health-elevate-behavioral-health-workforce-fund/)
- [Equity](https://thinkpic.org/work/equity/)
- [Risky Behaviors](https://thinkpic.org/youth-wellbeing/risky-behaviors/)

## Posts
- [DC Explained: Changes at the NIH Pose Challenges for One of San Diego’s Economic Pillars](https://thinkpic.org/d-c-explained-changes-at-the-nih-pose-challenges-for-one-of-san-diegos-economic-pillars/): Alan Berube, senior advisor of the Policy \& Innovation Center examined how changes to National Institutes of Health \(NIH\) funding and grant administration could affect San Diego’s life sciences sector, a major driver of the region’s economy and innovation ecosystem\. While federal health research funding remains substantial, slower grantmaking and policy uncertainty may create challenges for research institutions, early\-career scientists, and the pipeline of discoveries that support economic growth and community well\-being\.
- [Building an Economy Where Workers Thrive](https://thinkpic.org/building-an-economy-where-workers-thrive/): Dr\. Daniel Enemark, chief economist of the Policy \& Innovation Center, discussed the economic and social factors that shape whether workers can thrive, including challenges related to housing, childcare, transportation, and healthcare\. The conversation explored how cross\-sector collaboration and worker\-centered policies can help build stronger workforce systems, expand economic opportunity, and support long\-term prosperity for workers, businesses, and communities alike\.
- [Flex fuel cars switch to E85 amid soaring gas prices](https://thinkpic.org/flex-fuel-cars-switch-to-e85-amid-soaring-gas-prices/): Dr\. Daniel Enemark, chief economist of the Policy \& Innovation Center, discussed how E85 fuel can offer cost savings for drivers of flex\-fuel vehicles, particularly as Californians continue to face some of the highest gasoline prices in the nation\. While E85 may result in lower fuel economy than traditional gasoline, its significantly lower price per gallon can still make it an attractive option for consumers looking to reduce transportation expenses\.
- [San Diego County adds 15\.3K jobs in a year](https://thinkpic.org/san-diego-county-adds-15-3k-jobs-in-a-year/): Dr\. Daniel Enemark, chief economist of the Policy \& Innovation Center, highlighted that San Diego County added approximately 15,300 jobs over the past year, with growth concentrated in sectors such as private education and health services\. The data points to continued resilience in key industries that support the region’s workforce and economy, while underscoring the importance of policies that foster long\-term job creation and economic opportunity\.
- [New binational program, with $1\.3 million in funding, aimed to help region’s arts sector](https://thinkpic.org/new-binational-program-with-1-3-million-in-funding-aimed-to-help-regions-arts-sector/): Dr\. Daniel Enemark, chief economist of the Policy \& Innovation Center, highlighted the broader economic importance of the region’s arts sector as a new binational initiative launched with $1\.3 million in funding\. Enemark noted that investing in San Diego and Tijuana’s creative workforce strengthens not only cultural vitality, but also regional economic growth, workforce development, and cross\-border collaboration\.

## Research Articles
- [Demonstrating Green Stormwater Solutions in Spring Valley](https://thinkpic.org/research/demonstrating-green-stormwater-solutions-in-spring-valley/): PIC is partnering with San Diego Youth Services and the County of San Diego to design and implement improvements to help collect rainwater for reuse and beautify parts of San Diego Youth Services Spring Valley campus\. This project represents a new approach to stormwater management, public education, and workforce training—with benefits for the surrounding community and the region\.
- [Restoration and Connection in Otay Valley Regional Park](https://thinkpic.org/research/restoration-connection-otay-valley-regional-park/): The Wildlife Conservation Board \(WCB\)  awarded $409,000 to the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County to lead a project called “Otay Valley Regional Park \(OVRP\) Restoration Planning” that created plans to restore a 15\-acre site within OVRP\. PIC, along with other partners, helped design habitat restoration plans to restore the non\-native eucalyptus grove, which was identified as a priority in the OVRP Concept Plan\. This planning project explored how the site can best conserve native wildlife and biodiversity while engaging the community, creating greater habitat connectivity within the park, and improving water quality\. 
- [Deploying Innovative Water Technologies](https://thinkpic.org/research/deploying-innovative-water-technologies/): As part of our efforts to identify and deploy innovative water technologies in our Water Innovations Navigator, PIC has evaluated local permitting standards across San Diego County\. This report offers valuable insights for water technology developers, contractors, water agencies, and jurisdictions alike, helping to navigate the permitting landscape to deploy innovative water solutions throughout the region\.
- [Water Affordability Dashboard](https://thinkpic.org/research/water-affordability-dashboard/): Water Affordability Dashboard This interactive dashboard is brought to you by the San Diego Regional Policy \& Innovation Center \(PIC\)\. Our objective is to provide a robust tool that allows for in\-depth analysis of the San Diego region, and serve as a valuable resource for understanding water affordability and potential impacts of customer assistance programs\.‍ While…
- [Community Investment Navigator](https://thinkpic.org/research/community-investment/): Community Investment Navigator This interactive dashboard is brought to you by the San Diego Regional Policy \& Innovation Center \(PIC\)\. Our objective is to provide a robust tool that allows for in\-depth analysis of the San Diego region, and serve as a valuable resource for extracting community demographic insights, pinpointing vulnerable communities, and identifying areas…

## Team Members
- [Arnold Cerdinio](https://thinkpic.org/team/arnold-cerdinio/)
- [Alan Berube](https://thinkpic.org/team/alan-berube/)
- [Matt Fettig, CFA](https://thinkpic.org/team/matt-fettig/)
- [Daniel Enemark, Ph\.D\.](https://thinkpic.org/team/daniel-enemark/)
- [Clint Smith](https://thinkpic.org/team/clint-smith/)

## Categories
- [News](https://thinkpic.org/category/news/)
- [Economy \& Workforce](https://thinkpic.org/category/economy-workforce/)
- [Equity](https://thinkpic.org/category/equity/)
- [Behavioral Health](https://thinkpic.org/category/behavioral-health/)
- [Climate \& Environment](https://thinkpic.org/category/climate-environment/)

## Optional
- [Sitemap index](https://thinkpic.org/sitemap_index.xml)