Making BC's young children and families priority

Introduction First Call and Early Childhood Development First Call: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition emerged during the 1990s as a grassroots movement to advocate for the application of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). [...] As work progressed on the initial drafts of the proposed 2014 Framework for Action it became clear that since 2008 there has been more research about the importance of the early years; more evidence of Canada’s and BC’s policy and investment shortcomings; and growing broad-based public support for the implementation of new government policies and increasing investments that support young children [...] This Call to Action “builds on what exists” at First Call and is grounded in what First Call and partners believe, what we know, what we do and what we have agreed on, concepts outlined in the terms of reference1 developed to provide clarity to First Call partners and other stakeholders about the mandate, scope and process of the work involved in moving from the Framework to this Call to Action. [...] As a result, beginning with the individual child and family, and moving to the influence of communities and government policies, our call to action: Advances children’s rights, including their right to be valued and respected as individuals and to be visible in and connected to their communities. [...] Specifically, BC now has: More research affirming the importance of the early years and widespread consensus on the necessary The science of child development now policy interventions and net benefits of effective helps us to see healthy development as a government investments causal chain – policies and programs across More evidence of Canada’s and BC’s policy and the public and private secto