Platform for Children & Youth (click for PDF)

Where does the state of Louisiana place children on its agenda of priorities? The answer is painfully obvious. Louisiana children rank 49th in the nation for overall well-being. How did we allow this to happen? How and when will the outlook change for our children?

Purpose: This platform is designed to focus our Governor, inspire the creation of public and private partnerships and transform our state's low national ranking in its care of children.

Creators: Citizens of Louisiana; parents and volunteers, law enforcement and youth service workers, teachers and private foundation leaders, the faith community, youth advocates and dozens of youth themselves who were asked to represent their younger brothers and sisters as well joined together to create this platform.

Process: Hundred of people participated in community forums in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans, Ruston, Shreveport and Houma-Thibodaux. Then these groups sent 240 representatives to finalize the platform during the first statewide Summit for Children at Louisiana's Old State Capitol.