Students at Adelaide Sanford Charter School.

A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE CHILDREN OF NEWARK TO GUIDE AND INSPIRE THE AGENDA

Mayor Booker and City Council adopted a Bill of Rights for the Children of Newark during the first days of the Administration.  This statement, which is the first of its kind in a large American city, sets a bold set of expectations to guide the empowerment of families by stating what children need to have a reasonable chance to fulfill their potential.

The Bill of Rights for the Children of Newark asserts that each child has the right to:

• Nurturing and responsible parents, caregivers, and family members
• Safe homes, schools, and neighborhoods that will preserve an individual’s dignity, respect, and freedom from discrimination
• Good nutrition and a decent permanent home, clean air, and healthy drinking water
• Accessible, quality physical and behavioral healthcare
• Age and developmentally appropriate care, guidance, and education
• Meaningful, spiritual, cultural, and recreational experiences

THE MOBILIZATION OF THE GREATER NEWARK COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THE VISION.

From the outset, the Administration recognized that the realization of the Bill of Rights will take the collective effort of the full range of stakeholder in the City of Newark. Through a series of planning and advisory forums, including the Newark Council on Family Success, the creation of Super Neighborhoods that involve residents in agenda setting and initiatives, advisory and working groups for young children, youth, and parent councils, scores of dedicated leaders, community members, thinkers and doers have come together to develop strategies to improve child, youth, and family well-being in the City of Newark.  Based on this work, the Mayor established a high level Executive Leadership Group within his office to coordinate all efforts related to children, youth, and families and to move the agendas established by the various planning forums to action. In addition to the specific initiatives created through the Executive Leadership Group, the Mayor called on all areas of his Administration and the greater Newark community to support the Bill of Rights for the children of Newark.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW RESOURCES, SERVICES AND SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

Based on the values embodied in the Bill of Rights for the Children of Newark and the work of the many stakeholders who have participated in the mobilization effort, the Booker Administration has launched a coordinated array of new services and activities targeted to creating an environment that is nurturing and empowering for families. These activities fall within three related areas of work; Strong Families, Strong Neighborhoods, Early Childhood Success, and Positive Youth Development.



Directory for Youth and Families

A 2010 City Directory for Youth and Families to empower families to connect to the resources they need. The Newark community is rich in resources but many residents have voiced concern about how to find out what is available to them. This directory provides residents with a full range of resource information and highlights many of the community partners that have worked so hard to make Newark a great place for families.

• Download the Directory for Youth and Families

1-800-THE-KIDS

A Newark Family Success Helpline has been established through a partnership between the Newark Family Success Center Network and Parents Anonymous of New Jersey to offer a warm line of support and access to services to Newark residents on a 24 hour 7 days a week basis. If parents and caregivers are stressed out and in need of help, or if they need resources, information or just someone to talk to, they can call 1-800-THE-KIDS and connect with a friendly and well-trained parent support specialist.