| Delaware Children’s Campaign Platform for 2007 & 2008 |
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The Delaware Children’s
Campaign’s 2007-2008 Platform acknowledges the many challenges
facing children. Parents and, increasingly, grandparents, strive to
provide health, safety, education, and opportunities for their
families to thrive. But they cannot do it alone. Delaware can prevent more childhood problems than can ever be fixed after the fact. Investing in prevention is less expensive than paying for the consequences – and it’s the right thing to do. |
| The Delaware Children’s Campaign’s legislative priorities for 2007 & 2008 are: |
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Helping mothers birth healthy babies Sadly, Delaware has the 7th worst infant mortality ranking of all states. Recent statistics indicate the problem is getting worse. Mothers and infants need access to available care. More information must be made available to women and families before, during and after pregnancy. Solutions have been developed. The time to address this crisis is now. Broadening opportunities for early care and learning Children who do not receive high quality early learning opportunities face a lifetime of educational challenges. Many will experience an achievement gap and require expensive remedial education. Years later they will have higher rates of dropping out of school and won’t be prepared for entry into the nation’s workforce at great cost to American business. Parents of young children must have access to quality early care and education. Preparing children in foster care for the transition to adulthood When a child leaves the foster care system at age 18, where does he or she go? At adulthood, many of these young adults enter Delaware communities with little guidance or support. Far too many of these teenagers drift into lives of crime and drugs. Delaware must prepare children in foster care to become successful adults.
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Content Copyright © 2008 Delaware Children's Campaign