Annual Report 2006 - Ounce of Prevention Fund

About the Ounce of Prevention Fundthat affect our youngest, most vulnerable children so thatThe Ounce of Prevention Fund operates and fundsthe children’s voices are heard through us. We champion,high-quality early childhood development programs with annot a single program, but a comprehensive early childhoodemphasis on relational learning. What does that mean? Itsystem.means that we believe what the research tells us: youngWe’ve worked this way for 25 years. We’ll work thischildren learn best in the context of caring, responsiveway for years to come.relationships with their parents and other caregivers. TheseThis is not easy work but it is worthwhile. So muchcritical, early bonds during a child’s first five years formhas changed here in Illinois over the past 25 years and thethe foundation for healthy social-emotional growth and,Ounce has been party to much of it. We continue to urgeultimately, lifelong success.policy makers to invest in our youngest children as anBut we work differently than many other organizations.expression of understanding that our children embody the2We don’t work on one issue at a time. We use a wide lens,promise of our state and our nation. Helping these children3working across direct service, policy, research and trainingreach their full potential helps society reach its full potential.because we know, firsthand, that it is imperative to focus onWe can directly affect who these children growthe whole child—and that means understanding and fightingto be—doctors, teachers, engineers, artists, but equallyto improve the quality of and access to services that impactimportant, law-abiding, taxpaying, productive members ofall domains of young children’s development.society and viable contributors to the U.S. economy.We know what it means to make the best use of dollarsAnd all who take this marvelous, challenging, rewardingwe receive to keep quality programs functioning in the facejourney with us are helping to launch the truly hard work—of serious funding challenges. We know what it’s like toredefining the educational spectrum in this country tocamp out in our state capitol as decisions are being madeinclude a child’s first five years.