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I don’t remember how I wound up on this website, but a few weeks ago I stumbled across a website for Every Child Matters.
Every Child Matters is a bi-partisan group trying to get political reform for kids. Since we are in an election year, the “theme” is “I’m Voting for Kids.” The website is extensive in the information that it offers and can make you think twice about what your state is doing for children.
I ordered a promotional packet that had great information in it and things that I will certainly be sharing with many people. Included in the packet were bumper stickers, cards highlighting the issues they are fighting for, posters, and two very important and enlightening reports.
• Homeland Insecurity: Why Children Must be a Priority in the 2008 Presidential Campaign
• Geography Matters: Child Well-Being in the States
These reports are eye opening. The Homeland Insecurity report compares how the United States ranks in different areas compared to what UNICEF ranks as financially rich democracies. It’s not a pretty picture. The United States ranks 20th out of 21 countries in child well-being. There are several different areas that are ranked.
• Uninsured children
• Child maltreatment deaths
• Child poverty
• After school programs
There are other areas that are discussed but these are thoroughly discussed in the literature.
The Geography Matters report ranks each state in several different categories. Some are the same as the list above, but there are additional categories.
• Births to teen mothers
• Births to women receiving late or no pre-natal care
• Juvenile incarceration
• Child welfare expenditures
There were only five states that ranked 25th or higher in all categories. Those were:
Connecticut
Hawaii
Massachusetts
Vermont
Wisconsin
Every other state had at least one category where they ranked lower in at least one category. You do not need to have the publication in order to read the information. It can be found on the website.
All of this information is designed to be enable anyone who reads it to approach legislators and advocate for changes. The presidential race is a hot race. There will be both presidential and vice-presidential debates coming up in the near future, along with plenty of town hall meetings. The Every Child Matters website has a page listing the debates and offers links to e-mail questions to the moderators of the debates. Take advantage of this opportunity.
There are six major points that Every Child Matters is working to make front and center with political candidates, not just presidential candidates. The website provides information about your state as well as links to all the legislators for your state.
• How do you propose to ensure that children grow up healthy and have access to comprehensive health care?
• What are your plans to keep all children safe from violence in their homes, schools and communities?
• What is your position on how to keep children safe and supervised in the late afternoon and early evening hours?
• What is your position on early learning and care, including preparing children for kindergarten?
• What would you do to help families with children become economically self-sufficient and able to provide for their family’s needs?
• How would you address the needs of children who have a parent in prison?
These are great issues and ones that our legislators should be addressing.
If you are interested in ordering advocacy information you may do so on the website or e-mail me and I will be happy to share materials with you as long as they last.
