All children and their families deserve to thrive in their home and community. This means children need:

• Services that assist and promote safe and supported parenting for all families
• A child welfare system focused on primary prevention efforts that support children safely growing up in their own home and supports parents thriving in their own community
• The most appropriate and least restrictive care setting in which to access supports and services as they navigate the trauma of experiencing abuse or neglect
• The same supports whether they live with their biological parents or if they live in foster or kinship care
• Support in transitioning from the child welfare system into adulthood and the workforce

All children deserve to grow up in safe, supportive communities that reduce the risk of delinquency and system involvement. This means children need:

• Sound investments in their communities to ensure they have equitable access to activities and resources that help them recognize their strengths and reach their full potential
• A robust continuum of programming, treatment, concrete supports, and evidence-based interventions that are age-appropriate, address the root of the problem, and hold youth accountable when they make a mistake
• A justice system that promotes restoration and rehabilitation, and creates a strong re-entry program to reduce the likelihood of recidivism and set kids up to thrive

All children deserve access to quality, affordable early childhood education. This means children and families need programs that:

• Allow parents and caregivers to go to work knowing that their children are safe, learning, and cared for
• Provide quality early childhood education that will prepare children to be successful in kindergarten
• Provide quality early childhood education that will guide their physical and cognitive development, social and emotional learning, and motor and self-help skills
• Support and retain trained early childhood educators that provide safe, quality care and can identify and connect children that need additional developmental supports

All children deserve to learn and grow in an encouraging environment. This means children need:

• Opportunities for high-quality, vibrant learning experiences and meaningful accountability systems
• Resilience-focused learning environments that help children and their parents and caregivers feel safe, connected, and supported
• Highly trained and supported educators and safe school buildings
• Supports for students with learning disabilities and effective responses for challenging behaviors in school
• Access to extracurricular activities, community-based programming, and safe places to be with their peers
• Access to school-based family supports that address non-cognitive barriers to academic success

All children and their families deserve access to the resources they need to thrive. This means children need:

• Access to affordable, nutritious food
• Safe, stable, and affordable housing and reliable transportation
• Access to quality, affordable child care so parents and caregivers can go to work knowing their children are safe, learning, and cared for
• Jobs for parents that provide enough income and benefits to meet the family’s basic needs
• An accessible safety net of financial resources in the event of an emergency