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October/November 2020
Dear Friends,
What a time we are in! For many of us in the U.S.—and likely for many around the world—we wait with anticipation for the results of the November 3 presidential election. Whatever happens, one thing is certain: our elected leaders must prioritize the health and well-being of children and young people and we need to hold them accountable to ensure that kids have the best possible opportunities to grow and thrive.

When I launched Leading for Kids two years ago, I could not possibly predict the year we find ourselves in now. Our kids were not all right then, and they certainly are not all right now. Each day, I read about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it be on education, on the long-term effects of the state of kids’ physical and mental health; or the financial security of their families. It is impossible to ignore the inequities many of our kids face in their schools, neighborhoods, and support systems. It is also impossible not to feel the effects of climate change and recognize how our reluctance to act is affecting the world our children and grandchildren will live in.

This makes the work we are doing all the more important, and it continues to inspire me to move forward with the belief that we can, and will, do better. Let us give young people meaningful opportunities to share their opinions, listen to what they say, and then act in their best interests. Let us hold our leaders and one another accountable for putting kids at the center of our policy decisions. Let us move forward with the mindset of collective responsibility for our children and young people. And by November 3, be sure to vote for kids, and ensure everyone you know does too.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. Feel free to reach out at any time by email at David.Alexander@leadingforkids.org or connect on Twitter @LeadingforKids.

Be well,
David
David Alexander, M.D.
President, Leading for Kids
(650) 714-6609
what we've been up to
Our work with the FrameWorks Institute continues; research has begun and we have been focusing our discussions on how to best implement its findings. We will provide progress updates as we move through the various stages of the process and I look forward to sharing more details in the new year.

Several months ago, I mentioned that we were updating a report on the role of existing child-serving advocates or ombudsmen in the U.S., and I am pleased to share that this work is now being finalized. We will welcome two guest bloggers in the coming months, who will share more about the findings from the surveys, with comparisons of the various state organizations and their responsibilities.
in case you missed it
In the News:
  • In her Health Affairs essay, Princeton professor of economics Janet Currie notes that when it comes to supporting the well-being of our country’s children, what we say is not what we do. Her points—lack of trust in government; the expectation of positive economic investment from effective programs and services; and the polarization that comes from the belief of “othering” and racism—are dynamically articulated in What We Say and What We Do: Why US Investments in Children’s Health Are Falling Short.


  • FrameWorks Institute released their latest toolkit on reframing adolescence and adolescent development. Included in this work is the Core Story of Adolescence, a set of connected ideas key to understanding the teenage years. This research will be included as part of the FrameWorks review of past framing studies as we look to create a new narrative framework for kids.

  • Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s powerful, personal documentary Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope is now on PBS; the film accompanies their New York Times bestseller of the same name. It is full of powerful stories and striking suggestions for a new forward – most notably, changing the narrative from personal to collective responsibility when thinking about our young people.

Recent Blog Posts:


resources from the field




For more COVID-19 news and information, see our COVID-19 resource page
parting thoughts
During this season, the question of “why are kids an afterthought in the election?” is always raised by those of us who advocate for children. Childcare and education may get some attention, but after the elections, the noise dulls and we carry on. What will it take to finally elevate kids and prioritize their well-being? What is it about our country that keeps us from centering our young people in our decision making? We hope to start to get to the answers to this question through the work we are doing!
thank you! let’s stay connected!
Leading for Kids is committed to improving the health and well-being of children by creating a movement to change how we talk about kids, how we can invest wisely and productively in their futures, and how our decision makers can better protect their rights and reflect their voices.