“If it’s not working to close disparities, try something else.” I remember being struck by these seemingly simple words of scholar Ibram Kendi speaking to a national gathering of child advocates. Existing systems and policies are not working for many children and families in Maine. As the statewide child advocacy organization, the Maine Children’s Alliance must take action to do things differently to advance a shared vision of equity and well-being for all children and families.
MCA has launched a new strategic plan with four top-level goals to guide and challenge us in the coming years. It builds on our efforts underway to advance race equity, deepen advocacy impact, and elevate the voices of those with lived experience. We aim to be an effective leader for change externally, as well as internally within our organization. These ambitious goals will not be achieved by us alone. We are committed to amplifying and aligning our work with partners toward collectively making a meaningful difference in improving people’s lives.
Centering equity and anti-racism. Racism is a barrier to all children and families thriving in Maine; systems and policies that fail some of us, fail all of us. To effectively advance our mission and vision, MCA must address underlying inequities. This is our “equity why.” Building on the foundational work of our board/staff equity task force, the plan guides MCA in “the how” – operationalizing our equity commitment, both internally and externally. As consultant Joanna Shoffner Scott has advised, “the measure is not how much time you spend thinking about these issues, but rather the actions you are taking.” We understand that we may make missteps, but are moving forward with humility, and a recognition that we must act.
MCA has been disaggregating data and highlighting disparities in measures of well-being for children and families since the 2015 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Increasingly, we understand the responsibility and power of sharing and interpreting data. Who owns the data, why and how was it collected, who is invisible in the results? Similarly, advocacy in the State House has long been an insider’s game. How can MCA help expand the diversity of the players determining policy priorities, proposed solutions, and strategies? Our plan prioritizes building trusted relationships with impacted communities, as well as assessing our own organizational culture and practices.
Deepening advocacy impact. MCA is focused on transforming critical systems for children and families. This is complex work that cuts across sectors and requires working in collaboration with a growing number of partners and policymakers. MCA will build on our expertise, experience, and recent policy wins to advance outcomes for children and families, particularly related to transforming Maine’s early childhood and child welfare systems. We seek to advance a cross-sector and preventative vision of child and family health and well-being.
Engaging those with lived experience and expertise. With support from a national grant over the last year, MCA is excited to have deepened our relationships with parent advocates and supported their creation of a parent-run, statewide, multi-issue group, the Maine Parent Advocacy Network (MPAN). Parents trying to do the best for their kids, while navigating complex state systems and programs for support, are the true experts. MCA looks to similarly build our relationships with youth engaging in policy advocacy. The 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book will look different, with a plan to elevate a variety of community perspectives, through qualitative data sources and stories. We also continue to grow Voices for MCA, an advisory group of diverse voices that collectively represent the future of child advocacy.
Ensuring MCA’s organizational health. In the coming years, MCA seeks to grow our network, donors, and visibility to bolster our ability to advance this important work. As a small nonprofit with big goals, we hope you will all join us in amplifying the work we are doing. Thank you for your support and engagement as we work together to improve the lives of children, youth, and families across our state.
Finally, be sure to check out MCA’s new look and logo. For those of you who will miss the giraffe, rest assured that she will live on as the face of the annual Champions for Children event and Giraffe Awards.
Stephanie Eglinton, MCA Executive Director
Maine Kids VOICE 