The Children’s Agenda was founded in 2004 after a multi-year planning process initiated by the Rochester Area Community Foundation to address three things missing for children and youth in Monroe County: 1. Advocacy for policy and funding changes that get to the root of problems, independent of and impartial towards any particular service, program, or provider. 2. Evidence-based expertise and understanding of what’s effective and proven to work, and commitment to championing that. 3. Focus on the entire cradle-to-career continuum, spanning issues and ages for a whole-child approach that includes an integrated system of support and care.

The Children’s Agenda improves the lives of children, youth, and families in Monroe County through:

Budget analyses: We share annual, detailed analyses of proposed city, county, and state budgets on children and youth.

Reports on local children’s outcome indicators: We give periodic progress reports on the health, education, and well-being of children.

Support for evidence-based solutions and systemic, transformational policy change: We ensure that programs with proven results—like Nurse Family Partnership and Coping Power—are adopted locally.

Advocacy on local, state, and federal public policy and funding decisions: We mobilize our 3,400-person online grassroots Advocacy Network, meet regularly with area elected officials, and organize leaders in the faith, business, and health care communities as advocates for children.

Collaborative partnerships: We provide lead staff for ROC the Future and the new Rochester’s Leadership Council for Healthy Weight. We co-chair the statewide Winning Beginning committee on early childcare and help lead the Early Childhood Development Initiative, Greater Rochester After-School Alliance, and others.

Interfaith advocacy: We lead The Interfaith Collaborative, including 33 leading area denominations and more than 93 congregations that participate in the annual Children’s Sabbath.

The Children's Agenda

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