Why do we need action for children?
In our nation's capitol, over 40% of children live in poverty; over 50% of the children are enrolled in Medicaid; almost a third are eligible for free child care because they are poor; and over 50% drop out of high school. Poor children suffer a disproportionate share of deprivation, hardship, and bad outcomes.
We need action for children because these statistics are unacceptable. Without action, children and youth in the District of Columbia will continue to face insurmountable obstacles that lead to incarceration, substance abuse, chronic health and mental health problems, early multiple pregnancies, and an uneducated and unskilled workforce.
We must do more than wring our hands. We must raise our voices, we must rally, we must advocate and do something about the grave injustices that poor children suffer every day.
What does DC ACT do and how do we do it?
Being a resource
DC ACT engages in public education precisely because we have the time and expertise to get legislative and budget information not readily accessible to residents and providers. We take what we learn and share it with others so that we all can take action to improve outcomes for children and youth across the city. The public face of this work appears as reports and calls to action, including:
- Hosting the December 4, 2007 forum, What is this thing called "ICSIC," and why should human
services providers and advocates know about it? -- DC Action for Children is hosting this event
to ensure that the government has the opportunity to brief the community on the progress of the
ICSIC and that the community has the opportunity to ask questions of the government to best
understand what this new structure and approach to serving children is. Staffers from the Office
of the Deputy Mayor for Education will brief the community on the ICSIC, why it was created, what
its goals are (and much more) at this FREE two-hour forum on December 4, 2007 at the True Reformer
Building, 1200 U Street, NW. While this event is free, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
In preparation for the December 4 event, we encourage registrants to review a number of
important resources. First is Title V,
the place in the education reform legislation where details about the ICSIC are found. Second is this
summary of the
Commission, its members and more importantly the six citywide goals which are the framework for the government"s
work with children and youth. Finally, this report
explains how the ICSIC is representative of the Fenty Administrations goal of efficient and effective government
and governance.
For more information, open this invitation and registration form.
- What's in it for kids? -- This annual publication is a budget and program analysis and is the work for which we are best known. This report is used by public officials, media, service providers and the community at large. The objectives of the report are not only to try to determine how money is being spent but also to stimulate analysis of needs and to establish goals, ways of measuring progress, and ways of holding public officials accountable.
- DC ACT Legislative and Information Alert is a publication designed to keep residents, service providers, and others informed about issues affecting children, youth and their families in the District of Columbia. Click here for subscription information.
- Being a source for the media. Colby King, Washington Post columnist, uses information supplied by DC ACT to make his case that leaders need to better support young people. Click here for the article.
Working with others
DC ACT regularly collaborates with individuals, organizations and government staff to improve the lives of children, youth and their families. Our collaborative work is on legislative and budget initiatives and often involves working to empower families and neighborhoods to speak for themselves. We are diligent in our effort to have our work informed by the views of others who have an interest and stake in the District. This means that we ask the community to offer suggestions on legislative and budget issues. The most recent example is our collection of recommendations to improve the city's Children's Budget Report.
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