Where The Kids Are
This affects 11 million disadvantaged youth.
Beginning with schools as hubs, and focusing on at-risk children, Where the Kids Are aims to integrate school and community services so children receive more of the Five Promises. The goal is to offer services both before- and after-school, as well as during the summer months, so those children needing wrap-around receive year-round support.
Where the Kids Are is not limited to school sites or school-based approaches only. Community centers or other locations “where the kids are,” are ideal to implementing a strategy that is kid-centric.
The needs of children and their families will define the array of provided services, making the focus of Where the Kids Are the child and his or her home, school and community environment. Easier access to services, as well as a policy agenda around No Child Left Behind reauthorization and new legislation such as the PACE act will help to shape and define Where the Kids Are.
Where the Kids Are will offer services where children naturally assemble, which makes it more likely they will receive the supports they need – and be served by people who know them. Expanding services to include families increases their involvement in school and can connect them to support services, such as parenting classes to SCHIP and Medicaid enrollment instructions, which benefit children.
Schools are not only Where the Kids Are sites, but can also serve as “hubs” for reaching the wider community through after-school, before-school and summer programs that benefit entire families.
Working Group Chairs:
- Dan Cardinali : President, Communities In Schools
- Roxanne Spillett : President, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
America's Promise Staff contact: Tanya Tucker ( TanyaT@americaspromise.org )