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 – we work directly with the communities most impacted by our mission. We believe every community deserves equal power and an equal voice in shaping its future. The Family Success Institute actively engages community organization leaders in our Statewide Learning Community. These 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, New Destiny Family Success Center and Promise Neighborhoods in Newark and Camden.
FSI also undertook a multi-year project with local partners to host Community Action Forums: small gatherings where community members could share their opinions on the challenges and successes within their communities. The input and insight from these Forums directly shaped our next initiative, Regional Meetings. These Meetings bring together participants and organizations from the Forums in centralized locations, and offer residents valuable training in leadership, advocacy strategies, design thinking and community organizing. The Regional Meetings will help determine the issues and priorities of future projects.