Reach's History
EaRTH's sister program, PRHE, ran the Reach program from 2010-2017, offering this opportunity at the federal level, and the program was a great success. To date, the Reach the Decisionmakers program has trained over 120 scientists, community members, public health professionals and clinicians, many of whom have pursued successful careers in medicine, academia, and public health.
2024-25 Cohort
Team: Underground Rising
In this policy project, members aimed to develop scientific and community-based recommendations to help California policymakers address contaminated coastal sites before rising sea levels and groundwater intrusion worsen pollution risks. Centered on Southeast Richmond, where housing is planned on only partially cleaned land, the project highlights the potential for newly mobilized toxins to enter sewer systems and nearby communities, endangering public health.
Team: Groundwater Protection League (GWPL)
This project reviewed the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s updated groundwater protection regulations and revised method for identifying potential contaminants. The team developed policy recommendations that prioritized drinking water and community needs and sought to collaborate with DPR staff on their implementation.
Team: HEAR-US
California’s farmworkers are essential to the state’s agricultural success, yet they face increasing health risks from pesticide exposure worsened by climate change and extreme heat. Team HEAR-US developed critical recommendations to better protect these communities. They recommended that agencies like DPR and OEHHA should consider climate-related factors in pesticide risk assessments and worker safety regulations and ensure that these concerns are addressed through advisory committees and dedicated work groups.