Neighbors Working Together to Benefit Children

Colorado citizens have taken to heart their Governor's challenge to make it the best state in the nation to raise a child. Across the state, Colorado business leaders, senior citizens, members of faith communities, media representatives and policy-makers are looking for ways to make life better for all of Colorado's children. This movement is based on a fundamental belief that things will be better for children only when every individual acts on their behalf.

One highly visible indication that Colorado takes this challenge seriously is the Bright Beginnings initiative. Bright Beginnings is a public/private partnership, created by Governor Roy Romer and Brad Butler, retired Chairman of the Board of Procter & Gamble and long-time child advocate, to improve the lives of children in the most critical period of development -- from birth through age three.

The aim of Bright Beginnings is to create a grass-roots, community-based "extended family" that helps parents do the best job they can in raising healthy children. Housed at the Colorado Children's Campaign, Bright Beginnings brings together Colorado leaders from business, health care, government, media, education, clergy, and the senior community to take action that will ensure volunteer home visits to all new parents, access to quality child care, universal health care for young children, more "family-friendly" workplaces, and better support services for teen parents.

What distinguishes Bright Beginnings is that it is not government-run, nor is it targeted for specific sectors of the population. It addresses the needs of all children, encouraging involvement from all levels of the community. A state-wide steering committee guides Bright Beginnings’ agenda.

Warm Welcome

Warm Welcome, or the "infant welcome wagon" is a major component of Bright Beginnings. Warm Welcome relies upon trained volunteers who visit new parents in their homes in order to celebrate the birth of a baby. Volunteers from the neighborhood bring a gift; provide information on child development, games to play with babies, and health care; and make themselves available to support, listen to and share concerns with new parents.

The Business Commission on Child Care

Bright Beginnings will draw upon a group of business executives appointed by Governor Romer to serve on the Business Commission on Child Care Financing. The Business Commission, chaired by Doug Price, President of First Bank of Denver, has recently published recommendations for a long-term financing plan for child care that will help improve its quality and accessibility. Colorado is pleased with what it has been able to accomplish, but will settle for nothing less than a cultural revolution in which there is an acceptance that the life of each child is critical to the health of the entire community.

Other initiatives of the Colorado Children's Campaign

The Movement for Children
Eight hundred volunteers across the state work to change the environment in which decisions are made about long-term benefits for children.

Colorado's Doll Project
Thousands of life-sized cardboard dolls, dressed in real clothes, with a story attached are placed in offices of elected officials, business and community leaders and in public places to promote a prevention agenda for young people and educate the public about the problems of real children.

Child Watch
The Governor's office has begun a Child Watch Visitation Program as a way to allow leaders to see first-hand what is happening to our children and to experience the success of early childhood education and support programs.

Ready to Succeed
Coordinated by Mile High Child Care Association, Inc., this initiative has created a partnership of seven child care agencies in inner city Denver. The partnership is based on a shared commitment to improve the quality of child care.

For more information on how to make your state a better place to raise children, contact the Colorado Children's Campaign at 303-839-1580.