Turning Places Kids Go Into Places Kids Grow
We are proud of the accolades naming Raleigh and Wake County as great places to
live and raise a family. Our community is blessed with many rich resources to
help kids. And yet, thousands of our children need more help early on to
succeed as they grow up.
The places where young children play and learn can have a lifelong
impact on their social and emotional well-being. And the relationships
children have with each other and adults can build their resilience, give them
the tools they need when times are difficult and arm them with confidence as
they grow into adulthood.
The Kaleidoscope Project is based on four big ideas.
- There are best practices that can be integrated into places kids spend time.
- Site improvements are being made at Wake County kids’ places to serve as showcase sites. We have 2 sites and are planning more at locations that serve vulnerable children.
- We are providing training and technical assistance for building child mental health and working with vulnerable children.
- We are convening the community to connect with each other and build a network of champions for young child wellbeing.
Inspired and catalytic community action is possible if:
- There is an awareness about why mental health is important and what works to build it.
- There is an awareness about why mental health is important and what works to build it.
- We all see our roles and there is a commitment to take action.
- Every setting in which children spend time is intentionally created to help them do well in life.
- Decision makers know what needs to happen and they direct resources toward investments that strategically build whole kids.
- 1 out of 3 Wake County children get the mental health services they need [John Rex Endowment, Our Plan for Impact, 2013-2018, 2012]
- 5% of children in Wake County receive 95% of available public services [John Rex Endowment, Our Plan for Impact, 2013-2018, 2012]
- 91,000 Young children in North Carolina have serious and persistent emotional and behavioral health disorders
Today, The Kaleidoscope Project is working closely with community partners to identify and implement best practices for child-focused places in Wake County. The John Rex Endowment is providing financial support to our current efforts.
