At Voices for Children in Nebraska we believe in building a 
better state for all of our children. We believe that all kids deserve the best chance at a safe and healthy childhood. We as a state and as members of our communities owe it to our children to ensure all kids have the support they need to learn and grow into adulthood.
As 2011 draws to a close, we begin to think about all of the things we want to accomplish in 2012. Here are our New Year’s wishes for Nebraska’s kids:
Good health
Restoring access to prenatal care for all low-income women to help ensure that all babies are born healthy and able to enter our big, beautiful world ready to grow and explore and learn. Access to health care for each and every child in Nebraska so that they can get the care that they need when they are sick or injured and so they get regular check-ups to spot problems early.
Good health is more than just physical health. Children who need behavioral health services to the same degree they are able to access physical health services.
A foundation for learning
Learning starts at birth. As babies grow into toddlers and into preschoolers, their brains are forming connections that will stick with them for life. Investing in the early years is important because the earlier kids learn the greater the payoff in their later life and for the community. Kids need quality early learning experiences to help them prepare for school and a lifetime of learning.
A safe home
Home-based programs are effective in helping families learn to parent by identifying problems early and encouraging healthy interactions with their children. Home-visit professionals encourage expectant mothers to attend prenatal care appointments, quit unhealthy behaviors and eat a healthy diet. Following birth, home visitors teach parents to encourage early learning and build pre-literacy skills. Home visiting has been shown to cut the number of incidences of child maltreatment in half.
A financially stable family
Public assistance programs, like food stamps, child care subsidies, or transportation assistance help families maintain their income and provide a stable home for their children. Policies and programs that support working families are critical to ensuring that their children’s basic needs are met.
2012 will be an important year for Nebraska’s children. Our greatest wish is for you, as someone who cares about the health and wellbeing of our kids, join us in building a Nebraska where every child has good health, a strong foundation for learning, a safe home and financial stability for their family.
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