FSI is moving quickly to make our desired outcome a reality. To do this, we are undertaking several major initiatives:
Cost Analysis
FSI has and will continue to pursue opportunities to review and analyze the cost of a broken system that invests too much in distress-related programs and too little in programs and supports that would build families up. Our recent cost analysis of New Jersey’s 2018 budget provided the evidence we needed to support our urgent request for government to invest in success, rather than distress.
Legislative Initiatives
FSI has drafted and secured the introduction of two bills that will focus government funding and programming on providing children and the families that raise them the basic elements of family success.
Community Action
A grassroots approach in the very communities affected by our work has long been a staple of our mission. We believe in giving equal power and an equal voice to communities, so they have a say in determining their future.
Besides actively involving community organization leaders in our Learning Community, our leaders have been involved in community-based family success initiatives that have been launched in counties and cities across the state, including Monmouth ACTS, Impact Passaic and Promise Neighborhoods in Newark and Camden.
FSI also organizes and works with our local partners to host Community Action Forums, opportunities for small groups of community members to gather and express their opinions on the challenges and successes of their respective communities. The input and insight captured at these local Forums directly influences our statewide work, and will help determine the discourse at an upcoming statewide summit.