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Communities for Children

This information was current when the 2001 Children's Cabinet Annual Report was released. For more information, please visit http://www.communitiesforchildren.org

Mission of the initiative:

The goals of Communities for Children are to measurably improve the well-being of children in every Maine community, and to increase educational attainment and achievement of all Maine children.

Description of the initiative:

Communities for Children is a partnership between state government and 61 local communities (representing 221 towns and over 70% of the state’s population) for the purpose of supporting and increasing the prevention of poor outcomes for children, as well as promoting positive child and youth development. The 61 participating "Partner Communities" are each creating a Children’s Leadership Council, made up of key leaders in the community, including youth. These Children’s Leadership Councils are then assessing the realities facing children and youth in their community, developing prevention programs and policies, and tracking the results of their work. The statewide initiative is responsible for helping these communities by providing training, technical assistance, and opportunities for networking with each other. The key prevention models being utilized by the Partner Communities are the America’s Promise Five Promises (relationships with caring adults, a healthy start, safe places, marketable skills and opportunities to serve); the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets approach; and the National Center for Student Aspiration’s " 8 Conditions" mentoring program.

Legal basis for the initiative:

The initiative was originally created by an Executive Order of the Governor and was launched on January 17, 1997. It is now mandated by Public Law #785, describing the initiatives of the Children’s Cabinet.

Oversight authority:

An Executive Council was created, including members of the Children’s Cabinet and five other citizens of stature. An Advisory Council was also created that includes representatives from the participating communities.

Source and amount of funding:

In the first five-agency collaboration of this kind, each of the Children’s Cabinet agencies contribute to the administration of the initiative: DHS provides the position for the Executive Coordinator; DMHMRSAS has funded $1,000 planning grants to each of the Partner Communities; DOE has provided funding for the administrative assistant; DOC provides space, phones and equipment; and DPS has provided federal grants for the Communities for Children Prevention Training Institutes ($56,000 over three years), as well as for the Portland Youth Asset Builders Project ($200,000 from the Maine Justice Assistance Council over two years). In addition, the Executive Coordinator has secured several federal grants: $1,500,000 over three years for 40 Americorps*VISTA positions in Partner Communities, as well as in the Maine Mentoring Partnership, the Regional Children’s Cabinets, the Coordinated School Health Project and the Maine Youth Service Connection. Recently, a substance abuse and violence prevention coalitions grant for $1,050,000 was awarded for in-depth work in three of the Partner Communities (Augusta, Old Town and Lincoln County).

Lead Agencies responsible for assuring outcomes:

The Children’s Cabinet agencies-- DHS, DOE, DMHMRSAS, DPC, DOC–are all responsible for the outcomes of the initiative. The senior staff of the Children’s Cabinet oversees the work.

Collaborative Partners:

At the statewide level, all of the Children’s Cabinet agencies are collaborating in the development of the initiative. In addition, other statewide partners have been involved:

At the national level, Communities for Children has been instrumental in shaping partnerships with America’s Promise, the Corporation for National Service, Communities in Schools, the Search Institute’s Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth Initiative, the Danforth Policymaker’s Institute, and the Prudential Youth Leadership Training Institute.

Locally, each Communities for Children Leadership Council has pulled together local collaborative partners. For example, in Waterville these partners include:

Physical location from which initiative is administered:

The Communities for Children office is located at 59 Winthrop St. in Hallowell.

Accomplishments:

At the state level, the accomplishments are in the areas of statewide mobilization of communities and the provision of training and networking opportunities:

 

This is just a short list of accomplishments. A more complete report on the successes of the Partner Communities will be available by the end of January, 2001.

 

In Belfast, the Game Loft was an outgrowth of youth participation in a downtown business. Youthful customers had "taken over" the retail store and made it their own. To continue as a business the kids had to find a new location. Even with no money, no staff, and no model for success, the Game Loft became a gathering place for youth who enjoyed non-electronic games. When Building Communities for Children became a partner in the initiative, the Game Loft became eligible for a Communities for Children Americorps*VISTA volunteer who raised funds to keep it open and alive. Today, the Game Loft, with the continuing help of the VISTA, has expanded its focus to experiential learning, community service, life planning, and developing real life skills.

 

 

What we have learned about the initiative so far:

What more there is to do-- recommendations for the future:

Key Staff and further information:

Phone: 207-287-4377 Fax: 287-4375 Email Susan.Savell@state.me.us

Website: http://janus.state.me.us/governor/cfc/index.htm