A guide for public dialogue and problem solving
Five communities in New Mexico brought people together in dialogue and are taking action to build an environment where children thrive. See what kinds of progress they've made through the Strong Starts for Children initiative.
Clearview Consulting president Patrick L. Scully wrote
Strong Starts for Children, a discussion guide from Everyday Democracy that helps communities make decisions about how to address issues related to early childhood development. You can download a free copy of the guide here.
In addition to writing the guide, Scully designed and led a comprehensive review of secondary research on early childhood issues. He also enlisted a team of national experts on early childhood and civic engagement who advised on the guide’s content.
Everyday Democracy first released Strong Starts for Children in September 2010. Soon after, five community coalitions in greater Albuquerque and several Native American pueblos began using the Strong Starts discussion guide as part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s initiative, Our Voices, Our Children.
This guide has been edited to make it accessible to new and low-literacy readers. A Spanish edition — Un Buen Comienzo para nuestros Niños — is also available.
The Strong Starts for Children project demonstrates how Clearview Consulting can bring its unique combination of expertise in policy research, public engagement, and project management to your organization.
“We literally would not have been able to accomplish the Strong Starts project without Pat. He brought deep experience in framing issues, expertise in research, and most important, skill in conceiving and managing this complex endeavor. Pat made my job easy by keeping track of many moving pieces with patience and grace. The proof is in the results: a ground-breaking discussion guide that’s getting strong reviews from New Mexico residents working for the well-being of young children.”
Amy Malick
Communication Director, Everyday Democracy
On the Ground
The University of New Mexico’s Family Development Program is leading one of five grassroots coalitions that are using Strong Starts for Children as the centerpiece of their community dialogues to create a brighter future for young children and families. See University of New Mexico’s Family Development Program to Launch Effort Helping Young Children Thrive, UNM Today, August 20, 2010
