Unleashing the Joy: CDF's Pursuit of Child Well-being

Dear Friends,

Ten years ago this year, Ramesh Raghavan and Anna Alexandrova
published research on child development in a scholarly article
entitled,

[link removed]
[link removed]

Toward a Theory of Child Well-Being
[link removed]

. In the article, they document historical conceptualizations of child
well-being, a policy history of the notion of child well-being,
methods, and implications for measuring well-being, andafter reviewing
several theoriesposit one for adoption in the field. The two scholars,
now teaching at New York University and the University of Cambridge,
respectively, suggested: 

A theory of child well-being can be articulated as follows. A child is
doing well to the extent that she:

1. Develops those stage-appropriate capacities that would, for
all we know, equip her for successful future, given her
environment.
2. And engages the world in child-appropriate ways, for instance,
with curiosity and exploration, spontaneity, and emotional
security.

For nearly a decade, I've been blessed and challenged to wrestle
with this definition: in partnership between the foundation I
previously led and the social work school where Ramesh taught; in
regional dialogue with child advocates and community organizers during
the Ferguson uprising; in listening sessions and participatory action
research with CDF Freedom Schools Program parents, scholars, and
servant leaders; and in strategic discernment with CDF's board
of directors and staff. Dr. Raghavan even joined us in November for
Child Well-Being: A National Policy Forum as we launched our new
policy agenda. 
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

Our expansive conversation with Children's Defense Fund's
(CDF) constituents and bases of support has informed our view of child
well-being, reflected in the Impact Statements of CDF's Pathway
to Change. We're chasing an American future when we can see and
say that:

[link removed]

* Children and youth are thriving (growing and developing in
stage-appropriate ways);
* Children and youth have the resources they need to grow into
successful adults; and
* Children, especially Black and Brown children, can enjoy being
children.

We are clear that young people will only live to their full potential
with significant intervention and effort on our part. The
responsibility to create the conditions for children and youth to
thrive belongs to the community.

So, we went so far as to refresh our mission statement.

Children's Defense Fund builds community so young people grow up
with dignity, hope, and joy.

While the journey to children's joymarked by Ramesh and Anna
with curiosity, exploration, spontaneity, and emotional securitywill
be long for many, I believe we will get a few glimpses along the way.
Catching glimpses and paying attention to our guideposts will give us
energy for the path ahead. So, each week, we'll use this space
to share more about our public policy agenda, core values, and, most
importantly, the campaigns CDF team members are leading to unleash the
joy in growing up.

We hope you will join us on the journey to joy!

For our children,

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson
President and CEO

?

facebook

[link removed]

twitter

[link removed]

instagram

[link removed]

Youtube

[link removed]

DONATE
[link removed]

BBB Accredited Charity, Platinum GuideStar Seal of Transparency, and
GreatNonprofits Top-Rated

[link removed]

Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe
[link removed]
[link removed]

View this message on our website
[link removed]

Children's Defense Fund All rights reserved

840 First St NE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002




Click the link below to view this message as HTML in your browser:
[link removed]

Click the link below to forward this message:
[link removed]

Click the link below to change your email preferences:
[link removed]