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Children & Families Action Network Update
· Create a resurgence of nonprofit leadership in mission-based advocacy. · Develop a network that is informed and engaged in mission-based advocacy. · Build the capacity of nonprofit leadership to engage in advocacy work at all levels. · Establish a leadership role on behalf of children and families.
After carefully considering community and statewide needs and meeting with key leaders of nonprofit organizations, the CFAN Advisory Council committed to keep its membership informed on policy issues affecting:
· Equitable and inclusive storm recovery · Solutions to poverty strategies · Access to healthcare
In an effort to focus more specifically on the total well-being of the children in our community, CFAN has also been collaborating with the Mayor of Lake Charles with his vision to form a children’s cabinet for SWLA that will improve the overall health and well-being of all children & families. In November 2008, CFAN helped assemble over 100 key community members and leaders at a Children’s Summit to bring children’s issues to the forefront so that goals and concrete action plans could be established. Then local business and industry leaders came up with a concept that will close the gap between sectors (business, industry, nonprofit & government) through partnerships. They continue to work to establish “Kids Can Southwest Louisiana,” a proposed new 501C3 organization to emphasize their commitment to coordinate and develop efficient resources and partnerships in order to provide for the total well-being of all children & families in SWLA.
CFAN has also partnered with The Leadership Center, a program of Family & Youth, and their Youth Action Forum to provide teens with a better understanding of mission-based advocacy and the legislative process. The Youth Forum concluded for the year with a trip to Baton Rouge in May 2008. The youth toured the capitol, heard about the legislative process, met legislators and learned how to communicate with policy makers. In addition, five top participants were selected to travel to Washington, D.C. in June 2008 to explore and learn about the United States Congress.
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Mission Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana 220 Louie Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601 337-436-9533 www.fyca.org
Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana Homepage Family & Youth Homepage |
The Children & Families
Action Network (CFAN), with financial support from the Louisiana Disaster
Recovery Foundation (LDRF), has continuously worked to educate and empower
nonprofits, staff and volunteers by providing the education and tools that
are necessary for individuals and organizations to engage in effective and
meaningful civic engagement to affect public policy on behalf of children
and families. In an effort to better promote an understanding of
mission-based advocacy, the CFAN Advisory Council adopted the following
working goals:
Since Hurricane Rita, and
more recently Gustav and Ike, the substantial health disparities in our
community and the state have grown even wider. In an effort to reduce
inequality and promote inclusion in our recovery efforts, CFAN created a
healthcare “service” map that has worked to minimize barriers for individuals
and families seeking quality health care. The support from LDRF and the
Foundation for the Mid South gave CFAN and its collaborating partners the
opportunity to create the first map of its kind in Southwest Louisiana to
help eliminate these barriers and improve the coordination of existing
health services.
With increased outreach
efforts and communications, CFAN’s membership doubled in 2008. CFAN reached
200 members and with the continued support from LDRF, CFAN will continue to
develop its membership through ongoing education, training, and
communications so that members, staff of nonprofits and volunteers can
become stronger advocates and be more inclined to engage in and affect
public policy on behalf of children, families and communities.