Cambridge Kids' Council
51 Inman Street
Cambridge MA 02139
Mary Wong, Executive Director
617-349-6239
Email: Kids Council

Mission

The Coordinating Council for Children, Youth and Families (Cambridge Kids' Council) was created by City of Cambridge ordinance in 1991. The board is dedicated to improving the quality of life for our city's children, youth and their families through making policy recommendations and setting up programs and services. The council, chaired by the Mayor, is comprised of parents, youths, community members, top city officials, and representatives of philanthropy, business, universities and community organizations.

The function of the Cambridge Kids' Council is to direct a comprehensive local response to the needs of our city's children, their families and other caregivers, in accordance with the guiding principles set forth in the City's Children, Youth and Family Policy Plan. These principles are:

• To promote services and other activities that are preventive rather than reactive;
• To promote services and other activities that are coordinated rather than fragmented, and that result in improved accessibility;
• To encourage innovative responses to needs;
• To generate activities that create opportunities for all children, their families, and other caregivers;
• To support families, their choices, and their strengths, recognizing diversity and the many different choices that families make about how to bring up happy and healthy children;
• To promote services and other activities that are comprehensive, oriented to the needs of children and families seen as whole people.

Current Major Efforts

Inclusion Policy Plan for Out-of-School Time - In 2002, the need for a citywide policy plan for inclusion of children and youth with disabilities in out-of-school time programs and activities was identified. In response, the Kids' Council developed the Cambridge Policy Plan for Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities in Out-of-School Time Programs in 2004. The City Council and School Committee unanimously adopted that Policy Plan in February 2005, making it an official City policy. The next step on this effort is to implement and inform the community about the policy plan.

Youth Involvement - Began in 2001, this initiative is to develop a group of young people, ages 14 to 18, working with adult supporters to increase youth participation in the civic life of Cambridge. The initiative's guiding principles are:

• To have as many youth participate in opportunities created by and for young people
• To ensure diverse representation of youth throughout the city of Cambridge.

Agenda for Children - Introduced to the city in 1997, this initiative brings together different city departments, community-based organizations, businesses, philanthropies, and residents to ensure that our city's children are healthy and successful in school while living in strong communities. A special feature of this initiative is Community Engagement, to ensure community involvement in the planning and implementation of the initiative. The Kids' Council selected two goals for collective action:

• Children and their families will be able to read.
• Children and youth will have equal access to safe, stimulating, nurturing and healthful out-of-school time activities.

Centers for Families - This initiative is to develop school-linked, neighborhood-based family support centers for all families, particularly those with children from birth to age 5. By coordinating and integrating formal and informal community resources, the centers will link families to a full range of services to support them in nurturing their children. The initiative began in 1994 with the establishment of the Center for Families of North Cambridge.

In addition to the above, the Kids' Council is working on several other efforts to respond to the spectrum of needs facing our children and youth. Parents and other interested parties are invited to attend the Kids' Council meetings and participate in the Council's working groups.