OCCW Initiatives

The following six vision categories were adopted by the community at the March conference to focus and align the work of Our Children Can’t Wait.

RESOURCES, CONNECTIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY

Expand access to early learning resources and services

Deliverable – Develop a system where all families have the available information, access and programs to make wise choices regardless of economic class, culture or neighborhood.

HEALTHY START

Children and families need a healthy start

Deliverable – Create a robust system linking the child, family, pediatrician/family doctor and community resources. Through training, screening, assessment and community resource coordination, SELF will prevent children from “falling through the cracks” so that all children have a healthy start.

EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Accessible, affordable and universal childcare and early learning opportunities

Deliverable – Expand available and affordable licensed childcare and preschool options in our community increases the opportunity for our children and families to obtain high quality childcare. Develop strategies targeted at increasing resources for family, friends and neighbor caregivers.

ADVANCING EQUITY

All children have a fair shot and opportunities for success

Deliverable – Develop culturally-relevant resources for all families and children. Eliminate disparities and close the opportunity gap for children in our ethnically-diverse communities and those living in poverty.

SCHOOL SUCCESS

All children ready for the first day of school

Deliverable – Support the development and implementation of a system that prepares families and children for the first day of school. Target will be families and children who are not currently involved in an early learning program.