Six Expected Outcomes

The Calgary Children’s Initiative, in consultation with our partners and the Calgary community, established six high-level outcomes which we hope to achieve within a generation.

1. All children have a positive start in life.
Studies tell us that an investment in babies and their families before they are born reap significant benefits later in life. An investment of time, dollars and initiatives for this outcome can mean a reduction in preventable conditions such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and low birth weight babies.

2. All children are well cared for and safe
A child’s world can be influenced by risk factors impacting his or her safety and level of care. We are working to increase access to parenting programs, to build family friendly workplaces and to build resiliency and empathy in children.

3. All children are ready for school
A child’s readiness to attend school is directly linked to early developmental experience. We believe that increased access to parenting and literacy programs and the importance of play in a child’s development are key to achieving this outcome.

4. All children and youth experience success at school
Research suggests that meaningful parent and community involvement with schools as well as coordinated child and youth services are key to academic success. This is why we are currently working with clusters of schools and their communities to realize this outcome.

5. All children and youth are practising healthy behaviours
Research indicates that while we may not be able to decrease all risk factors in the lives of children and youth, we can increase their resiliency. We are therefore trying to explore how a variety of community members can become ‘resiliency coaches.’ We are also analyzing the messages society sends regarding youth and the ways in which we can positively reconstruct those messages. And, we are working to remove barriers restricting involvement in arts and recreation programs which links to our understanding of the importance of life-long play.

6. All youth are making successful transitions to adulthood
Allowing youth to have the opportunity to express their opinions, engaging them in key decision-making, providing opportunities to make a difference through volunteering, and creating easy access to relevant information, services and activities are current priorities in achieving this outcome.