safety net

Description

Education Equation: Neighborhoods' Impact on Children A child's address may have as much to do with their educational outcome as other factors. This CMC forum is focused on issues of education and examines the impact of neighborhoods on our local education outcomes. The panelists from the fields of social service, education and research will offer highlights from the Franklin County Children's Report titled "Why Neighborhoods Matter to Education." "In order to fully understand the state of education in central Ohio we must understand the huge role that neighborhoods play in the lives of our children," said Janet E. Jackson, President and CEO, United Way of Central Ohio. "Neighborhood revitalization efforts where parents and residents are engaged partners in positive change are crucial to effectively improving education in our community." Developed by United Way's Champion of Children initiative, the Kirwan Institute for Race and Ethnicity and Community Research Partners, the Franklin County Children's Report takes an incisive look into the key decisions over the past several decades that have had tremendous effects on neighborhoods and schools. It explores some of the neighborhood revitalization efforts that are taking place in at-risk neighborhoods in central Ohio and posits that safe, vibrant neighborhoods and high-quality education are inextricably linked. The report also examines the holistic methods used by the Harlem Children's Zone as a potential guide for future efforts in our community. Under the leadership of Geoffrey Canada, the president and CEO of the Harlem Children's Zone, Inc., the Zone project targets a specific geographic area offering a comprehensive range of services for children and families. New York Times Magazine referred to the Zone project's objective as "creating a safety net woven so tightly that children in the neighborhood just can't slip through." The Zone project is considered a model where elements could be replicated in other communities, such as Columbus.