|
Children First Report Card Release
REMARKS BY GOVERNOR TED KULONGOSKI
Monday, October 20, 2008
Thank you Angela for your generous introduction – and for your leadership with Children First for Oregon.
I want to thank each of you here this evening for your commitment to the future of Oregon by advocating for the most valuable investment we can make toward a secure and prosperous future—our children.
Senator Hillary Clinton was in the news a lot this year. But today is not about politics – today is about children. So I’d like to remind you of something First Lady Hillary Clinton said more than ten years ago, . . .
. . . “There is no such thing as other people’s children.”
That simple truth captures my core belief about children. And I know it captures yours as well. For Children First of Oregon and its many supporters – children are a community responsibility.
This is not about substituting for families.
But it is about standing with families whose children live on the economic margins; have physical or emotional problems, need quality day care that their parents can’t afford; or simply require a little extra attention.
So when we say that there is no such thing as other people’s children – what we really mean is there is no such thing as children beyond our help, beyond our reach, or beyond our ability – and responsibility – to care for.
In other words – our commitment must be to make sure that all children – no matter where they live in Oregon – thrive.
This is a goal we have not reached yet. There’s no question about that.
But there is also no question that Oregon is blessed with fiercely dedicated, tireless, and highly skilled champions for children, . . .
. . .and some of the best right here in this room.
Whether your focus is on early childhood, family economic stability, the child welfare system, physical and behavioral health care, juvenile justice, or foster parenting – your collective work to improve the lives of children and their families means a better present – and a better future – for Oregon.
* * *
As Governor of Oregon, keeping children safe and healthy – and families strong – are among my top priorities.
So it is a great privilege to be here tonight with so many of you who share my passion for helping kids thrive.
Almost exactly five years ago, during my first year in office, I laid out my vision for children at a Children First luncheon.
I called that vision the “Children’s Charter for Oregon” – and I explained in detail what I believe that we as a state – meaning the public sector, private sector, non-profits and individuals – should guarantee all children in Oregon.
First, that they are safe, that they are healthy, and that they have adequate food and shelter.
Second, that every child is ready for school.
And third, that every Oregon child completes school ready for success – in college or the workplace.
This is not simply about the role of government in children’s lives.
It is not even about the role of society at large in children’s lives.
This is about recognizing our moral responsibility to protect children, to keep the American Dream alive for them, and to make sure every child in this state gets an equal opportunity to get to the same starting line in the race of life.
Where they finish is up to them. But where they start is up to us.
* * *
Because of the work of many of you in this room, we have made significant gains over the last several years in moving more Oregon children to the starting line.
In 2007 we made critical new investments that promise to keep thousands more of our kids safe – and our families strong.
Let me give a few of the details.
We strengthened family economic stability by expanding affordable housing options, improving access to child care for low-income working families, and redesigning Oregon’s TANF program.
We improved school-readiness by increasing the number of kids served in Oregon’s Head Start programs, and we improved job-readiness by helping more young people and their families afford a college education or get the skills they need to work in a very competitive global economy.
We invested in child abuse prevention and early intervention by expanding parenting supports through Healthy Start – and by creating more Crisis Relief Nurseries.
And we made long-overdue investments in our highest-need families and their children.
We did that by expanding foster care support for relatives willing to provide stable, permanent homes for abused children – and by providing more drug and alcohol treatment money for parents raising children.
Because of these investments – and your advocacy – we are creating hope and opportunity for thousands of children and families across Oregon.
I can give you the basic facts and figures. But the most compelling stories about renewed hope and opportunity are told by families themselves.
That’s I’m very pleased that later tonight you will hear from Christine Stolebarger. Christine is a great example of how the investments we’re making today will pay dividends for our children well into the future.
* * *
We had an outstanding legislative session in 2007. One of the most successful in Oregon history.
But while I am proud of what we accomplished last legislative session – there is one critical issue that did not reach the finish line.
I’m talking about my Healthy Kids Plan.
But here’s my bottom line: I refuse to give up! I am not going to let another legislative session go by without passing Healthy Kids – which will ensure that every child in Oregon up to age 19 has access to affordable, quality health care.
Many of you were on the frontline of this battle both last session and last November.
Unfortunately, because millions of dollars were spent by the tobacco industry on a misleading and diversionary campaign, the families of 116,000 Oregon children still worry today about whether they’ll have to sacrifice their life savings – and even their homes – to pay their children’s medical bills.
This is absolutely unacceptable to me. So I will not walk away from 116,000 children –or whatever the number of children without health care--because as I’ve already suggested, we have a moral responsibility to each of them, . . .
. . . and to all Oregon children.
We have a moral responsibility to make sure our children have access to quality health care that their family can afford.
We have a moral responsibility to make sure our children are healthy so they can learn in school, play with their friends, and become healthy adults able to contribute to their communities.
And most of all – we have a moral responsibility to help sick children get well by making sure they receive the care they need.
These moral responsibilities may not be obvious to the tobacco industry – but I believe they are obvious to a large majority of Oregonians.
Yes, the tobacco industry won the first round – but I will not let them win this fight.
That is why, again, I will ask the legislature in 2009 to vote – and pass – my Healthy Kids Plan.
I believe that the Legislature supports covering all kids. I believe the public supports covering all kids. I believe the health care community supports covering all kids. And, I believe, with your help, next year we will be successful in covering all kids.
But my Healthy Kids Plan is just the beginning.
We must also expand health care access for their parents. I’m talking about working families who cannot afford to purchase health insurance at a time when they’re having trouble paying for food, fuel, shelter and other basic needs.
And here’s the real dilemma: As the economy weakens – and make no mistake we are in a recession – the numbers of families facing these tough choices will continue to grow.
Is there any end in sight to this downward spiral? I’m an optimist – and I always believe that Oregon’s best days are ahead of us.
But only if we make strategic long-term investments now – and that includes investing in the health and education of our children.
That said – we have some tough days ahead of us.
That’s why in addition to providing affordable health insurance coverage for all Oregon children, I want 2009 to be the year we rebuild the Oregon Health Plan – restoring health, addiction and mental health treatment coverage to more than 90,000 adults who are waiting for openings in the Plan.
You may be wondering how health care for adults relates to the safety of our children – and the stability of our families.
The answer is this: Just as healthy kids do better in school and thrive in life – healthy adults are more productive at work and better able to provide for their families.
That means investing in health care, including mental health care and addiction treatment, is not only smart social policy – it is smart fiscal policy.
For every one dollar we spend on addiction treatment, taxpayers receive nearly 20-dollars in public safety benefits through reduced crime and lower incarceration rates.
Similarly, every child that stays safely at home and out of foster care – is a win. Children win because families stay together. And the public wins because the state is paying less for foster care.
So I believe strongly in investing in health, addiction treatment, and mental health services for kids and families. In doing so – we keep kids safe and families strong.
* * *
Tonight, we’re here to deliver a report card on the status of children in Oregon.
While this report shows that fewer Oregon children were abused or neglected last year, our data also tells us we have much more to do.
We can significantly decrease the number of children who are abused and neglected if we provide addiction and mental health treatment to more parents before the fabric of their family unravels.
* * *
There is nothing more important to Oregon’s future than the safety and health of our children.
And I want you to know that like Children First – I want Oregon to earn an “A” on its annual report card, . .
. . . not in one category – but in every category.
As much as I’d prefer not to – I have to repeat that we are facing difficult times in our economy.
I wish I knew when we were going to climb out of this recession. But like you, I don’t.
But also like you, I believe that – as I said on my very first day as Governor – in tough economic times children must go to the head of the line.
Why? Because it is the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do. And it is who we are as a people.
I said I was an optimist. Much of my optimism comes from interacting with children. Seeing their promise. Watching their progress. Listening to their hopes and dreams.
We need to protect and nurture these kids. Not just for their sake – but for ours. If we want better days for Oregon – we need to make sure that we’re creating better days for Oregon’s children.
That means even in challenging times like these, we must work in collaboration to capitalize on opportunities that come our way to put children first.
Some of these opportunities will be big. Others small. But together they will add up to big differences in the lives of our children and their families.
Oregon’s children depend upon all of us to be their champions.
So on behalf of the children in Oregon, thank you for carrying their voice to the Legislature – and thank you for your continued partnership with me in standing up for their health and safety.
You are making a difference – and I look forward to continuing to work with you to move Oregon to an “A” for our children in my final two years as Governor.
Thank you.
|
