The Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana is an umbrella for several regional and local coalitions that work to bring about improvement in children's lives. The name of our agency reflects our continued belief that the best problem solving for children and families occurs at the local level with a collaborative effort from all parts of the community-non-profit, government agencies, civic and faith based organizations, businesses, families and individuals. While our commitment continues to coalition building and problem solving, the Children's Coalition has become an agency that delivers services in our four main focus areas-Early Care and Education, Health Care, Parenting and Youth Development. These services are the result of mandates from our member agencies and are designed to support their efforts to improve lives of children and families. Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana began as a result of the 1997 President's Summit on America's Future, which became America's Promise chaired by then-Retired General Colin Powell. As a result of this national meeting and a statewide effort, Northeast Louisiana's Promise: the Summit on Youth was held in 1998. The Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana began organizing as a mandate of the 250 people attending this summit. In January 1999, the initial meeting of the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana was held with 120 people in attendance representing 55 different organizations. Vision, mission and strategic priorities were adopted that spring and taskforces began to meet around the five resource areas of America's Promise-a caring adult in every child's life; a safe place with structured activities in non-school hours: a healthy start for children and access to health care; an effective education with marketable skills; and an opportunity for all young people to give back to their community. A board of directors was formed later that year with the staff hired in July 2000. It was the agreement of the volunteers on the task forces that the issues that need to be addressed for all age groups had their origins at birth. Any comprehensive plan for children had to address the issues at the beginning if long-term solutions were to be found. In reviewing the research on children's issues, Dr. Craig Ramey and the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama-Birmingham were recommended as one of the most respected national experts who could work with the Children's Coalition. Funds were raised locally to enter into a contract with CIRC and the process began. With the release of "Bridging our Communities: the Development of a Plan for Early Education services for Ouachita Parish" in late 2000, the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana unveiled its plan for creating a system of resources that supports children and their families. While the report focuses on early childhood, the Coalition continues to work to improve services for all youth- to prevent the a-risk behaviors that keep children and youth from leading successful lives.
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