 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
Home > About Voices for Ohio's Children | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Mission and HistoryVoices for Ohio’s Children is a non-partisan collaborative of private, public, and not-for-profit sector organizations and individuals who advocate for public policy that improves the well-being of Ohio’s children and their families.Under the leadership of Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and the Rainbow Board of Trustees, the Coalition for Greater Cleveland’s Children was formed in 1996 to fill a void in advocacy and research relating specifically to children’s issues. In the fall of 1996, the Coalition engaged 30 non-profit organizations and corporate sponsors to hold its first program, a Voter Education Forum. Child-serving agencies, parents and the general public came together to learn about the candidates for State office and hear their positions on issues affecting children. The program’s success led to the Coalition’s ongoing role as an advocacy arm for child-serving agencies. In early 2004, The Coalition for Greater Cleveland’s Children incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) under a new name, Voices for Children of Greater Cleveland, and became Ohio’s affiliate of Voices for America’s Children, an elite national network of child advocates. This partnership has allowed for active and effective participation in national policy initiatives as well as opportunities to develop best practices for child advocacy organizations through the Essential Elements process. In January 2007, Voices became Voices for Ohio’s Children. Our mission—to promote improvements in the well-being of children and families—remains unchanged. However, because issues that affect children are increasingly decided in Columbus and Washington, we now work throughout Ohio to make change for children. Our new name acknowledges more accurately our work at all levels of public policymaking and our growing partnerships with advocates and organizations across Ohio. Voices’ success and policy agenda depends on our Public Policy Partners, who are child-serving agencies, faith-based organizations, health care institutions, physicians, corporations and individuals that care about and advocate for improving the well-being of children. We use their vast range of expertise to educate lawmakers, community leaders and interested individuals about public policy that is cost-effective, has proven results, and maximizes the economic advantages of investing in children. We accomplish our goals through:
VisionVoices for Ohio’s Children will be a leader in children’s advocacy efforts in Ohio. Our work results in public policy ensuring our children are well-educated, healthy and safe.PrinciplesVoices for Ohio's Children is guided by the principles of:Partnership – building strategic alliances with other organizations, both within and outside of the health and human services arena Collaboration – working in concert with and valuing the success of member organizations, interested parties and other related groups Independence – pursuing those issues and strategies that represent and support the best interests of the community’s children and their families Non-Partisan – being free from political party affiliation Integrity – being accountable to stakeholders, reliable in every commitment made and authentic in word and deed Diversity – respecting, understanding and integrating a wide range of perspectives, people and ideas |
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
HOME | ABOUT VOICES | NEWS | EVENTS | TAKE ACTION | JOIN VOICES | PARTNER NEWS & EVENTS | SITE MAP