Mallory Bateman

This presentation will provide the most recent information from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute on demographic and economic trends in Utah and the Intermountain Region. The contents of this report come from a multitude of sources and takes a look at data captured from the most recent year or period available.

Mallory Bateman

Haner Hernandez

This presentation will explore the development of disparities in the US and their impacts on racialized and marginalized communities. In the U.S., Black and Latinx people are about half as likely to remit compared to their White counterparts. Additionally, the rate of fatal drug poisonings has decreased among White Americans but has increased among other racial/ethnic groups. Utilizing a social justice framework, the participants will learn about the impacts of the criminalization of substance use and mental and the Structural Determinants of Health. Participants will also learn about approaches and strategies grounded in justice, equity, cultural humility, and our individual and collective roles in humanization and eliminating disparities.

Ciriac Alvarez Valle, Tom Ford, Molly Karasick

This panel brings together advocates from the ACLU of Utah, Utah Voices for Children, and Alliance Community Services to explore the ethical, legal, and human impacts of immigration status in Utah and beyond. Panelists will examine how immigration policies intersect with civil liberties, child and family well-being, access to essential services, and community trust. Through a cultural literacy lens, the discussion will highlight the lived experiences of immigrant communities, clarify rights and protections regardless of status, and consider the ethical responsibilities of institutions, service providers, and policymakers. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding immigration status and leave with practical insights for fostering equity, dignity, and informed advocacy in their work and communities.

Susi Feltch-Malohifo'ou

The presenter will provide information from Pacific Islander communities experience disproportionate rates of chronic disease, behavioral health challenges, housing instability, substance use–related harm, and preventable death—yet remain largely invisible within traditional health and human service systems due to data aggregation, underinvestment, and top-down service models. Presenters from Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR), examines why many well-funded systems fail to improve outcomes for Pacific Islander communities—and how community-led, trust-based models succeed where traditional approaches fall short.

Erin Bigler, Carol Hollowell

As social service providers in Utah, we are currently navigating a complex era of fiscal contraction. With the 2026 state budget implementing 5% in General Fund reductions and the expiration of critical federal pandemic-era "bridge" funding, marginalized populations—including rural residents, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities—face heightened barriers to essential care.

This panel brings together policy experts, community advocates, and frontline practitioners to analyze the ripple effects of these reduction measures. We will move beyond the numbers to discuss how reductions in Medicaid, the elimination of specific DEI-focused grants, and shifts in homelessness assistance are creating new "service deserts" across the state. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how these fiscal decisions exacerbate existing health disparities and will explore collaborative strategies to maintain cultural responsiveness and service continuity in a resource-constrained environment.

Jules Martinez, Liz Siantz

Evidence based treatments are often developed and researched by and for individuals from the dominant culture and fail to address the needs and preferences of marginalized communities. Community academic research partnerships can address these shortcomings by meaningfully including the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, including the Latinx community. These partnerships can also enrich both communities, community-based organizations, and research teams through the sharing of knowledge and skills across differences. This presentation will share the experience of one community academic partnership, and will present results from their current University of Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) supported

Susi Feltch-Malohifo'ou

The presenter will provide information from Pacific Islander communities experience disproportionate rates of chronic disease, behavioral health challenges, housing instability, substance use–related harm, and preventable death—yet remain largely invisible within traditional health and human service systems due to data aggregation, underinvestment, and top-down service models. Presenters from Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR), examines why many well-funded systems fail to improve outcomes for Pacific Islander communities—and how community-led, trust-based models succeed where traditional approaches fall short.

Erin Bigler, Carol Hollowell

As social service providers in Utah, we are currently navigating a complex era of fiscal contraction. With the 2026 state budget implementing 5% in General Fund reductions and the expiration of critical federal pandemic-era "bridge" funding, marginalized populations—including rural residents, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities—face heightened barriers to essential care.

This panel brings together policy experts, community advocates, and frontline practitioners to analyze the ripple effects of these reduction measures. We will move beyond the numbers to discuss how reductions in Medicaid, the elimination of specific DEI-focused grants, and shifts in homelessness assistance are creating new "service deserts" across the state. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how these fiscal decisions exacerbate existing health disparities and will explore collaborative strategies to maintain cultural responsiveness and service continuity in a resource-constrained environment.

Jules Martinez, Liz Siantz

Evidence based treatments are often developed and researched by and for individuals from the dominant culture and fail to address the needs and preferences of marginalized communities. Community academic research partnerships can address these shortcomings by meaningfully including the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, including the Latinx community. These partnerships can also enrich both communities, community-based organizations, and research teams through the sharing of knowledge and skills across differences. This presentation will share the experience of one community academic partnership, and will present results from their current University of Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) supported.

Kathryn Stockton

Martell Teasley