Mission Statement and Goals

Mission
Our programs, projects and advocacy will be focused on the physical, dental and mental health needs of children aged  0-17 years and their families in the Charlotte community.

Goals
• Raise the awareness of children’s health issues particularly in the areas of physical, dental and mental health in our community.

• Employ trained volunteers to partner with other organizations in our community to address children’s physical, dental and mental health needs and support family needs related to those issues more effectively via our projects, placements and advocacy efforts over the next five years (formally beginning in 2006 and ending in 2011).

• Educate and connect our community to health and wellness services for children aged 0-17 years and their families.

• Facilitate on-going dialogue among the community and its leaders regarding the physical, dental and mental health needs of children and their families living in Mecklenburg County to foster long-term solutions/approaches.

Methods

Physical Health: • Provide education and awareness for the community on the physical health issues facing children ages 0-17 years. • Increase awareness of the lack of services available to adequately identify and care for children with health related issues. In partnership with community, develop programs focusing on preventative physical health education to improve the lives of children age 0-17. • Provide support for the families of children that have physical health needs. • Encourage ongoing community dialogue regarding physical health needs of children and their families to foster long term solutions.

Dental Health: • Provide education and awareness for the community on the dental health issues facing children ages 0-17 years. • Develop programs with other community partners focusing on preventative dental health for children age 0-17. • Encourage ongoing community dialogue regarding dental health needs of children and their families to foster long term solutions.

Mental Health: • Provide education and awareness for the community on the mental health issues facing children ages 0-17 years, and increase awareness of the lack of services available to adequately identify and care for children with mental- health related issues • In partnership with community, develop programs focusing on preventative mental health education to improve psychological lives of children age 0-17 • Develop programs aimed at education to remove the stigma of mental health issues facing children and their families.