INSPIRE - Values, Principles & Policy Directions

The following Values, Principles, and Policy Directions grew out of strategic planning discussions with the board and advocacy committee. This board approved document guides the public policy work for the organization.

Children First’s Values:

• Respect for the innate worth of all individuals

• Mutual responsibility and accountability

• Integrity, honesty, and open communication

• Caring and compassion

• Community, service, and collaboration

• Freedom and democratic process

• Opportunity and prosperity

• Fairness and justice

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Children First’s Principles: Our vision for our community and its government, nonprofits/faith institutions/civic groups, and businesses as they embody our values.

• Equity exemplified by equal opportunity to reach one’s full potential.

• Democratic Process based on equality and informed citizen participation.

• Effective, Accountable Government protecting freedom, security, opportunity, environment; ensuring justice; and investing in infrastructure.

• Sustainable Economy promoting equitable access to prosperity.

• Healthy, Caring, and Vibrant Society where basic needs are met and diverse community groups and initiatives enhance our quality of life.

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Policy directions: Parameters that offer guidance on the advocacy issues and campaigns that Children First may choose to engage in to realize our mission, values, and principles.

Child Poverty: We support initiatives that reduce the incidence and negative impact of child poverty including expanding opportunities for increasing family income and ensuring that full-time employment provides livable wages for families.

Opportunities for policy advocacy include:

• Increasing family income and ensuring that full-time employment provides livable wages for families

• Food security for all

• Safe, affordable housing

• Robust public transportation system

• Earned Income Tax Credit expansion

Education: We support equitable access to high-quality, affordable early care and learning centers and a well-funded, innovative public education system successfully educating all students to their full potential and engaging their families and their community in their success.

Opportunities for policy advocacy include:

• Decreasing drop out rates

• Closing achievement gaps

• Securing equitable distribution for child care subsidy funding

Environment: We support policies that reduce environmental pollution that negatively impacts children’s health and well-being.

Opportunities for policy advocacy include:

• Environmental education programs for children and youth

• Clean air and water

• No toxic waste sites by neighborhoods

• Toxin-free homes and toys

Safety: We support ensuring safe places for children to live, learn, and grow regardless of their race, ethnicity, religious belief, class, gender, or sexual orientation.

Opportunities for policy advocacy include:

• Zero tolerance for bullying

• Gang prevention

• Gun control

• Ending child abuse and neglect

• Decreasing crime rates

Juvenile Justice: We support accessible, community-based prevention, intervention, and remediation for at-risk and adjudicated youth, empowering them to reach their full potential as successful members of our community.

Opportunities for policy advocacy include:

• Increase/sustain funding for Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils

• Raising adult sentencing age to 18

• Alternative sentencing for children/youth

• Gang prevention policies that have proven success in other states and don't unnecessarily increase prison populations

Immigration: We support immigration policies that acknowledge many immigrants as economic and/or political refugees and create a humanitarian response to this multi-faceted issue.

Opportunities for policy advocacy include:

• Immigration policies that will provide national security, protect human rights, and create ethical business and trade practices that dignify workers and provide livable means for their families.

• Ensure the health, safety, and education of all in our community – regardless of citizenship.

• Revising laws that displace family members and close the door on opportunities for full participation and responsibility in the life of our communities.

Government and Democracy: We support expanding citizen participation, and developing diverse citizen leadership responsive to our values and principles, and reducing corporate influence.

Opportunities for policy advocacy include:

• Same-day voting

• Early voting

• Campaign finance reform

• Publicly financed elections

Health: We support access to quality health care (physical, dental, and mental) and health education for all children regardless of income.

Opportunities for policy advocacy include:

• Health insurance for all children

• Greater access to healthy foods

• Safe physical activity for children and youth

• Health education programs that decrease tobacco, drug, and alcohol use

• Comprehensive education on human sexuality and reproduction

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