Kids Impact Initiative (KII) is a California-based nonprofit project founded in 2017. Its mission is to improve the lives of the nation’s 73 million children* by strengthening public-sector accountability** for their well-being*** along with encouraging the development of next-generation advocacy for children. Kids Impact works both nationally and in California, which is home to 8.9 million children.
Purpose
Kids Impact’s purpose is to develop and promote strategies that support and strengthen the child advocacy field as a whole. Based upon substantial research, Kids Impact has identified holding public policymakers accountable for children’s well-being as an especially effectual strategy for child advocacy at this time. All too often the needs of children and youth are left out of policy considerations, yet policymakers have the potential to improve outcomes for millions of children in the nation—at every level of government. Policymaker accountability strategies are also ripe for innovation and action.
Approach
Kids Impact works as a think tank to conceptualize and frame how children and youth are situated in public-sector decision-making and then works with changemakers within and outside of government to spark action. Specifically, we conduct and publish independent research, develop tactical advocacy strategies, create easy-to-apply tools, serve as a targeted resource on accountability for children, and partner with the diverse set of people and organizations who are on the front lines of child advocacy to hold local, state, and federal decision-makers accountable for how kids’ lives are impacted by their actions.
In addition to its focus on public sector accountability, Kids Impact continues to publish commentary on various topics relevant to strengthening advocacy for the nation’s children, including the transitioning to the next generation of leadership for child advocacy organizations.
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*Refers to young people from infancy through age 1
**Kids Impact Initiative’s work applies to local, state, and federal public policymakers.
***So that each child can experience good mental and physical health, a safe environment, quality child care, early childhood education, K-12 education, adequate housing and food, and a path to work and career opportunities.
