New report reveals citizen perspectives on ensuring healthy children and families; shows willingness to work for change

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- -- Begin early, begin today. That's one of the messages found in a new report exploring a recent deliberative forum on how to best fulfill the needs of local children. According to the report, some residents say that "it's up to each one of us to be more active within the community".

The report, entitled Our Nations Kids: Is Something Wrong? is the result of a November 2nd meeting of approximately one hundred residents -- including parents and grandparents, educators, human service providers, young people, residents, and civic leaders at the Albemarle County Office Building in Charlottesville, Virginia. The forum was co-sponsored by the Charlottesville/Albemarle Civic Engagement Initiative of the UVA Weldon Cooper Center and the Charlottesville/Albemarle Commission on Children and Families.

Informed by national research and local statistics on child and family conditions, participants deliberated in small groups on how parents, the community, and government can address the needs of local children. The newly released report was compiled from charts created in each discussion group, as well as from notes taken by trained observers.

Citizens deliberated the government's role in maintaining healthy families, and tended to agree that the government should enact policies that favor the family and should provide guidance, but not legislate parenthood. Child and family programs, quality child care and the availability of good information to parents on raising children were all mentioned as vital components of a healthy community.

There was general agreement on the notion of a "shared responsibility", where parents have choices and community support. "We need to empower, encourage, [and] help parents and concerned citizens be or become effective, responsible, caregivers", said another participant.

Some attendees thought that the choices faced by families were limited, not only by lack of financial support, but also by parents' ability to earn a living wage and afford basic necessities such as health care. Some participants expressed concern that, without looking at inequities in the society, deliberations were not getting at the root of the problem. "Society needs to establish a way to satisfy the basic needs for families' day care, health care, " said one resident.

Asked to reflect upon the value of deliberation and the forum itself, participants valued the opportunity to talk to each other about an important issue. "Bringing people together to talk is a great service," said one parent, "the dialogue must continue." Said another participant, "A combination of approaches is required, as this is a complex problem. There is no magic answer." The report states that the role of advocate was frequently cited as critical. Said several participants, "We must voice our concerns to local governments and the legislature."

Copies of the report are available online at www.ccfinfo.org. Citizens who are interesting in participating in a continuing dialogue on children and family issues are invited to call the Charlottesville/Albemarle Commission on Children and Families, 872-4545. For information on how to become involved in future forums, contact the Weldon Cooper Center at 982-4770.