(a) San Francisco has historically shown great concern and compassion for its most vulnerable residents – its children. The City and the community have demonstrated this commitment through the adoption of progressive, innovative and creative ideals supporting the well-being of San Francisco's children and families.
(b) To continue its legacy as a champion of children, it is imperative for San Francisco to further invest in the City's children and families.
(c) The people of the City and County of San Francisco previously supported the passage of the unprecedented Children's Amendment in 1991 and 2000 and the Public Education Enrichment Fund in 2004. While these initiatives dedicated funding to services, the level of unmet needs in providing critical programming and services still falls short.
(d) In order to advance a Citywide vision and long-term set of goals, City leaders, departments, the San Francisco Unified School District ("SFUSD"), and community partners must come together to align needs with services, coordinate across agencies, and develop a strategy.
(e) The Our Children, Our Families Council, comprised of department heads from the City and SFUSD, and community stakeholders, will build a platform that will place children and families at the center of every policy decision.
(f) With the renewal of the Children and Youth Fund and the Public Education Enrichment Fund in November 2014, the City must seize this opportunity to develop a long-term Citywide vision, create a set of strategies, coordinate services, and identify shared goals to not only ensure that all children and families already here are able to thrive, but to encourage other families to live here.
(g) The percentage of children under the age of 18 in San Francisco has steadily declined. As of 2010, 13.4 percent of the City's total population was under the age of 18, the lowest percentage of any major city nationwide.
(h) Families continue to leave San Francisco, especially those families in the low to moderate income brackets.
(i) San Francisco's children population is declining, with over 10 percent of 1 to 4 year olds moving out of the City annually and fewer children moving in.
(j) The declining numbers of children and families in the City cost the community financially as less money is spent on the local economy.
(k) This measure will put in place a collaborative approach around the following points of unity:
(1) Ensuring equity, and giving priority to children and youth with the highest needs;
(2) Empowering parents, youth, and community stakeholders by giving them a voice in the implementation of this Citywide vision; and,
(3) Building public trust through transparency and accountability meeting the needs of children and families.
(Added November 2014)