Optimist Youth Homes and Family Services’ Post

Today we are releasing: 2023 Youth Policy Advances, our annual compendium of youth justice policy wins from across the country. With today's release, we celebrate the critical wins to keep more youth out of carceral settings and push our imagination forward to what true youth justice looks like - a world where community safety equals investing in the holistic resources needed for the well-being of youth and families. In 2023, 30 states advanced 99 policy wins that will create better outcomes for youth across the country. The year showed us exactly what’s possible when we believe in a shared vision and commit to the well-being of young people. Visit --> https://lnkd.in/eyJV3uvR to view 2023 Youth Policy Advances. And remember that our vision of justice grounded in the values of abolition, prevention, healing, restoration, opportunity and equity is possible. When we continue to fight, we continue to win!

🌱 We wanted to share with you this *just released!* resource from our friends Eurochild and ISSA - International Step by Step Association, which discusses the power of networks and the lessons learned from the First Years, First Priority European Campaign. 🌱 In 2020, a coalition of European networks and national civil society organisations launched the 🌟 First Years, First Priority 🌟 campaign with a shared vision: to ensure a healthy, safe and nurturing environment for ALL young children and their families, especially those facing poverty, exclusion and discrimination. Through this campaign, they have seen increasing awareness and prioritisation of early childhood development (ECD) in political agendas throughout the EU. Some key takeaways? The importance of coalition-building, the benefits of cross-sector collaboration, and the necessity of a comprehensive approach to ECD Curious for more? Follow this link to read the complete resource: https://lnkd.in/eXQFNA3e

Learn about the Building Civic Bridges Act, aimed at fostering bipartisan collaboration and strengthening democracy. Discover how this legislation promotes dialogue and cooperation across party lines in this article from TheFulcrum.US #BipartisanAction https://ow.ly/wLkP50QVyFm

This looks a great training for anyone working with youth! Designed with research and policy advocacy in mind, "Disrupting Adultism: Building Authentic Youth Coalitions" training will delve into the concept of adultism, exploring its implications and how it can inadvertently create barriers in youth engagement. More importantly, we will discuss strategies to disrupt these patterns in order to foster an environment that truly values and incorporates youth perspectives. We will explore strategies to foster genuine partnerships with young people, enabling them to become active participants in decision-making processes. By the end of this training, participants will have an introduction to the knowledge and tools needed to build authentic youth coalitions, ensuring that our future leaders are not just seen, but heard, respected, and actively involved in shaping the world around them.  https://lnkd.in/gTp5Ppmp

What does it mean to be a Child-Centred Nation? Our Innovation Lab Director, Jonathan Prosser, recently explored this crucial question in an article for The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce). He outlines how governments and world leaders can practically work towards truly becoming Child-Centred Nations. 📝 This week, Jonathan wrote to the nine leaders of the UK's main political parties, including the current Prime Minister, urging them to prioritise child-focused policies that would not only foster domestic growth and wellbeing but also serve as a world-leading asset in foreign policy and diplomacy, delivering transformational outcomes for children. Please join us in prayer that these letters will speak to the hearts of our political leaders. 🙏 In Jonathan's article, he draws on insights from global experts, identifying 10 thematic priorities to turn this vision into reality. To read the full article, head here https://bit.ly/3XoGCkC Imelda C., Elizabeth Ebengo, Tim Nelson FRSA, Tahina Booth, Andrew Leake Ph.D., Kobina Yeboah Okyere, Pamela Mackenzie, Elspeth Kirkman, Ali Watson, Louise Holloway. #ChildCentredNation #Innovation #RSAJournal #ChildRights #Leadership #PolicyChange #Innovation #ChildDevelopment #SocialInnovation

To the nine leaders of our UK political parties. You will have received my letter calling for a focus on children in this election campaign. You will note the distinction between talking about child care (framed for economic growth – parents working more) and instead shaping child centred policies and strategy to see our children living inspired and fulfilling lives…that sets the UK up for success, and supports transformational child development in many countries through our diplomatic missions and international development partnerships. In my article for the The RSA (The royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce), wonderful people from all over the world contributed to define areas of focus and provide a set of questions to support government leaders to quickly move from idea to action to results. It’s rare that everyone says yes when you ask for help with some work. Everyone has said a firm yes with Child Centred Nation. Now it’s time for our public servants to as well. To the colleagues, RSA Fellows, think-tanks and government members who have been in touch, thank you. I’m looking forward to upcoming engagements in Europe and Africa, more panel discussion events, as well as activations with nurseries, schools and local communities in a variety of countries. The sooner children are sending their ideas and artwork to politicians the better. Whatever your politics, whatever your system of government, the time to align your country to the Child Centred Nation movement is now. We stand ready to support and help. Note: Child Centred Nation is a movement, open to all, supported by some incredible people and organisations. It is not a company, nor does supporting it align you with any party or organisation. Supporting it aligns you with giving a greater voice to the children of your country/countries and the world. Want to be a Child Centred Champion? Share this with your Member of Parliament, the election candidates in your area, in local government and councils, and with the organisations you are part of and aligned to. #children #policy #goverment #socialinnovation #impact

📓 Our 2022-2023 Impact Report is out! 💡 Learn more about our work in Coalition Partnerships, Equitable Education, Disability Inclusive Education, Education in Emergencies, and more! ➡️ You may read the Report here: https://lnkd.in/eiJcEKrM

Authentically engaging people with lived experience in decision-making, systems change, and strategic planning efforts is vital to providing equitable services to all children, youth, and families. Check out these resources to learn more! https://buff.ly/4cipSzQ

In a child-centred nation, governments fully enable the right to play, so a child can simply be a child. Here are 10 key considerations to guide governments towards becoming child-centred nations. https://thersa.co/3yDL2tY

What are you waiting for? Join a CPT delegation this year to deep dive into our on-the-ground experiment in nonviolence. A CPT delegation offers an immersive experience in solidarity, inviting individuals to visit a CPT program for 7-14 days. Throughout this commitment, participants engage with and learn from CPT members and local partners,  to deepen their understanding of the local context and build networks in the solidarity movement. Through diverse delegation activities, individuals directly interact with grassroots leaders, community members, human rights defenders, and government officials, allowing participants to comprehend the complexities of conflict firsthand. The transformative power of a CPT delegation transcends its duration on the ground. Participants not only engage as first-hand witnesses and advocates but also bridge the gaps of solidarity by sharing their experiences with their home communities, groups, and media upon return. By becoming advocates for positive change, delegates contribute to raising awareness and fostering understanding of the issues faced by the communities they encounter during the delegation. Ultimately, a CPT delegation is a transformative journey where commitment becomes a powerful catalyst for peace, justice, and positive global change. https://lnkd.in/e72sqiHP