This section investigates
a wide range of community supports for children, families, and people
of all ages and backgrounds.
It includes research
and information on community institutions, such as schools, clinics,
libraries, parks, faith-based organizations, cultural and civic centers,
and other places for human and social interaction. Safe neighborhoods,
good jobs, affordable housing, accessible public services, family-friendly
workplaces, quality education,and opportunities for civic engagement
are important dimensions of healthy communities.
Children, Youth and Environments
Children, Youth and Environments (CYE) , is a refereed journal and multidisciplinary, international network dedicated to improving the lives of young people. The journal targets researchers, policy makers and professionals and is guided by a distinguished Editorial Advisory Board.
In addition to peer-reviewed research articles, this site posts field reports, book reviews, a database of individuals and organizations worldwide, a calendar of upcoming events, an extensive searchable bibliography, video links, and much more. CYE’s unique combination of information resources facilitates the sharing of knowledge and experience concerning the development of children and youth in different environments.
Access is free thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation and the University of Colorado. CYE encourages you to explore the site and invites you to let us know what you like about it and what might make it more useful.
Growing
the Grass Roots for Kids
The nonprofit
organization Ready 4 K provides technical support to communities that
are organizing around early childhood care and education. This group
of advocates, practitioners, business leaders, and policy makers helps
develop community-wide action plans that draw upon the findings from
the MN Early
Care and Finance Commission, available from the Alliance for Early
Childhood Professionals.
Policy and Faith
Communities
Congregations
Concerned for Children and the Joint
Religious Legislative Coalition are faith-based organizations
that advocate for children. They provide advocacy training, develop
legislative agenda, and initiate community events such as the annual
Children’s Sabbath.
Business
Community calls for sound policy for young children (PDF)
The Committee
for Economic Development, a nonpartisan group of business leaders
and university presidents, calls for free, high-quality preschool
education for children age 3 and older. CED’s report, Preschool
for All: Investing in a Productive and Just Society, urges the business
community to help build public understanding about the economic and
social need for early childhood education in the United States.
Emerging
Policy Issues in Minnesota
Emerging Issues
in Minnesota, as identified by the Minnesota Planning Agency.
Toward
Better Mental Health: A Community Approach
A new, multi-agency
initiative, Toward Better Mental Health: A Community Approach, will
bring consumers, family members, advocates, providers, advisory groups,
and citizens together in new ways to promote and protect the mental
health of all Minnesotans. The departments of Health, Human Services,
Corrections, and Children, Families and Learning, along with the League
of Women Voters, are cosponsoring this initiative, which includes
local community forums and a briefing book for citizens.
Action
guide for policymakers on children’s mental health
Building Services
and Systems to Support the Healthy Emotional Development of Young
Children is an action guide for policymakers from the National Center
for Children in Poverty. It highlights why policymakers should be
interested in prevention and early intervention in child mental health,
and it describes strategies that communities can use to focus attention
on the needs of children and families.
The
National Association for the Education of Young Children
The National Association
for the Education of Young Children promotes national, state and local
public policies that support a system of well-financed, high quality
early childhood education programs in a range of settings, including
child care centers, family child care homes, and schools. It tracks
state legislative trends and policies, national research, and community
action campaigns, such as the Colorado
Children’s Campaign
The
Minnesota Indian Affairs Council
The Minnesota
Indian Affairs Council tracks policy issues regarding families, education,
housing, violence, and other issues.
American
Indian Policy Center
The Minneapolis-based
American Indian Policy Center provides policy makers and the public
with accurate information about the legal and political history of
American Indian nations, and the contemporary situation for American
Indians.
Action
for Children, 1991-94
Action for Children
was created by Governor Arne H. Carlson in March 1991 to study the
lives of young Minnesotans, develop a vision of what their lives should
be like, and make recommendations to help the state achieve that vision.
