Dear Candidate for Public Office:
On behalf of the Michigan Coalition for Children and Families,
we would like to thank you for your willingness to serve your
community and the public as an elected official. As advocates
for children we ask that you put Kids Priority 1 in Michigan.
Even though children in your district cannot vote, they are looking
to you to keep their needs and interests in mind just as you
would any other adult constituent or special interest. In recent
years, children and their families have seen a crumbling of the
infrastructure that supports and sustains the prevention foundation
for their lifelong health, education, safety, and security.
In recent years, MCCF has used our Children’s Agenda to promote policies that will acknowledge and support the important role that
children and families have in driving our economic engine. Investments in early
childhood development and care, child health, parenting support, education,
and family economic support have lasting economic benefits for families and
for Michigan. Economic development does begin at birth!
As a future elected official who will balance the issues of jobs, taxes, and
health and human services in our state, we strongly urge you to think of the
investments in children and families as an investment in economic development.
.
The Michigan Coalition for Children and Families has created a platform for
children that is built upon a prevention foundation of health, education, safety,
and security.
If you truly value families, consider how you will put Kids Priority 1 and
support these 4 Prevention Planks in your personal platform and positions on
child and family issues.
Just as we ask parents to Vote with Their Child Mind, we are asking you to
Vote with All Children in Mind when you take public office.
Sincerely,
Members of the Michigan Coalition for Children and Families
www.miccf.org
Photo appears courtesy of Wendy Shepherd |
10 Things a Candidate Can Do to Put Kids Priority 1 in Michigan!
Listen: Ask local children’s organizations to
brief you on the status of and needs of children in your community or
state.
Experience: Visit community Head Start programs, schools,
places of worship, children’s hospitals, community centers, and
other places where children receive services and support to get a hands
on view of the needs of children.
Analyze: Examine your current proposals to determine how they would affect
the lives of children in your community, state and nation.
Answer: Frame your platform and position statements
on children’s
issues to answer candidate questionnaires.
Distribute: Submit your children’s platform to
info@mcmch.org
Challenge: Challenge other candidates in your party and among your opponents
to come forward with specific proposals for children.
Educate: Use your public exposure to call attention to the needs of children
and to educate your supporters about the importance of meeting these needs.
Ask: Ask voters at every campaign stop to tell you how children are doing
in their community and how you could use your office to improve their well-being.
Promise: Keep your promises to the children once you are elected by making
sure every legislative proposal is examined to determine its impact on children.
Vote with children in mind!
Keep Listening: Keep an open door to those who know the
needs of children first-hand such as parents, pediatricians, child care
providers, volunteers,
and civic leaders. Consult with children and youth as well, you will be
surprised how wise they are. |
a) Build a Platform for Children- Submit your Children's Platform to
MCCF at mtstrasz@aol.com
b) Children’s Agenda www.miccf.org
c) Kids Count www.milhs.org
d) Links to Candidate surveys and questionnaires- Coming soon!
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