The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20021125134525/http://www.gov.state.ak.us:80/strongfuture/





Action Alert! (pdf)

House Budget Reverses Smart Start Progress

2002 State of the Child Address

2002 SOC Address (Real Audio)

Get Involved in SS/Strong Future

SS/Strong Future Related Research

2 page flyer about Smart Start/Strong Future (pdf)

OMB - Smart Start Budget Info (pdf)

 

Health, Safety and Success for Alaska's Children
Working with Gov. Knowles and Lt. Gov. Ulmer, the Children's Cabinet has developed the next phase of the Smart Start initiative, which is making dramatic improvements in child well-being in Alaska. Smart Start/Strong Future was unveiled in the Governor's 2001 State of the Child Address and will be considered by the 2002 Alaska Legislature.

What is Smart Start / Strong Future?
It has three important goals: healthy children, safe children and successful children.

It continues a comprehensive plan to protect children, invest in proven prevention programs to break the cycle of family violence, and help children succeed in school, and in life.

Smart Start/Strong Future is also an important crime-fighting tool. Research tells us abused children are more likely to become perpetrators themselves and that, conversely, children raised in quality early childhood programs are less likely to be criminals as adults.

Smart Start/Strong Future requires a few strategic new investments in state and community programs, continued support for successful programs, and innovative new laws.

Why We Need Smart Start / Strong Future
Abuse causes more violence
. Abused children are more likely to commit violent crimes when they grow up.

Quality preschools improve school success and reduce crime. At-risk children enrolled in quality early childhood programs are less likely to be arrested for violent crime. They are more likely to be good students and finish high school.

Preventive health care pays off. Pregnant women without health insurance are less likely to get prenatal care and thus more likely to have babies with costly outcomes such as low birth weights or alcohol-related birth defects.

Good child care is good for business. Parents content with their child care arrangements are more attentive workers and less likely to quit their jobs.

It will save money. Over the long term, Smart Start/Strong Future will reduce future state costs for crime, health care and welfare.


www.gov.state.ak.us/strongfuture

Office of the Governor | webmaster