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Guest Opinion: Putting Children First in 2018 [Siskiyou Daily News]

By Karen Pautz, / Executive Director, / First 5 Siskiyou

On Jan. 1, most of us have made resolutions about many things, such as more exercise, less chocolate, better time management, more time with loved ones, our health and many more commitments.

While all these are important, allow me to recommend an additional idea – resolve to measure your success this year by the well-being of the youngest children in your life and in our communities.

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Siskiyou County statistics confirm the prevalence of toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences impacting generations of families. We live in a beautiful county rich with caring and dedicated community members, but it is also a place where generational cycles of toxic stress need to be dismantled. It takes every one of us to help break the cycle by offering a hand up to a neighbor. Supporting and caring unconditionally for the hard-to-like children and adults can transform them and break the cycle. Every family with young children has stressful moments – find ways to give a helping hand! Work hard not to judge, remember every adult was once a child, what happens in childhood can predict the future.

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All of us: Pay attention to local, state and federal legislation that could positively or negatively affect critical services for children and be an active and vocal advocate. Look around your neighborhood and think about ways you can make your block, street, community safer, cleaner and more welcoming for children at play and parents with strollers.

You won’t be in this alone! The First 5 Association Network (comprised of First 5 Siskiyou in addition to 57 other county First 5 Commissions, the First 5 Association and First 5 California) recently adopted the following vision statement:“One day, California’s success will be measured by the wellbeing of its youngest children.” Let’s resolve to make this vision a reality together, starting in 2018, right here in Siskiyou County.

For more information and presentations about Early Brain Development, Adverse Childhood Experiences and other resources, contact First 5 Siskiyou at allaboutthekids@first5siskiyou.org.

To read the full Guest Opinion, click here:  Putting Children First in 2018

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