Author Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus and First Focus Campaign for Children, says we must do better for our nation's young people because:
- 16 million (1 in 5) live in poverty
- 8 million lack health insurance
- 1 million are homeless
- 750,000 are abused and neglected
- 1 in 5 drop out before high school graduation
- the U.S. has the 2nd highest infant mortality rate among industrialized nations
Lesley proposes a number of strategies, but here's one we find especially intriguing -- create a Children's Commission. He's talking nationally, but what a great thing to happen in Arkansas.
Just think about what the synergy of Gov. Beebe's Workforce Cabinet (an alliance of all the agencies involved in education and economic development in the state) has accomplished. Bring together all those who work with children -- education, health, hunger relief, child protection, child advocacy, even financial planners -- and the result could be incredible.
And just what Arkansas needs.
(Our thanks to Rich Huddleston at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families for sharing the link to Lesley's article on his Facebook page.)
No comments:
Post a Comment