Fight Crime: Invest in Kids

Through the Institute for Child Success’s (ICS) Strong Nation initiative, ICS collaborates closely with former Council for a Strong America staff and members to ensure that Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, ReadyNation, and Mission: Readiness continue to thrive at both the national level and in those states with established offices working to promote the programs.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids is a national, bipartisan organization of police chiefs, sheriffs, and prosecutors who improve public safety by promoting solutions that keep kids out of crime. Founded in 1996, the organization advocates for evidence-based policies and programs that strengthen families and support positive youth development. These include home visiting programs, high-quality early childhood education, and afterschool and summer learning opportunities. Fight Crime: Invest in Kids emphasizes the importance of investing in children early on, helping them thrive from an early age and ultimately contribute to the well-being of their communities.

In partnership with state-based non-profits, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids has staff on the ground in five states, including Illinois, Maine, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. In addition, ICS is working to strengthen Fight Crime: Invest in Kids nationally by supporting members across the remaining 46 states when strategic policy advocacy opportunities arise at the federal level. For information on how to contact staff who support Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, please see below. 

Learn about other ICS initiatives here.

Key Resources

• Fight Crime: Invest in Kids – Letter to Congress
• Positive Youth Development Fact Sheet
• Child Care Educators Set Young Kids on the Path to Success 
• Costly, punitive justice approaches undermine healthy adolescent development
• From Risk to Opportunity: Afterschool Programs Keep Kids Safe

Contact

Illinois: Sean Noble and Sally Puleo

Maine: Kim Russell 

Pennsylvania: Bruce Clash

South Carolina: Kim Russell

All other states: Jill Boxler