Children First for Oregon History and Mission
Who Is Children First for Oregon?
Children First for Oregon was created in 1991 by a small group of forward-thinking business leaders and community volunteers to improve the lives of Oregon’s children and families by advocating for strategic investments and wise public policies. Over the last 16 years, Children First’s work has resulted in millions of dollars in new investments in services that get results for children and families.
Our Mission:
Children First works to make Oregon a place where all children thrive. We educate and engage Oregonians to promote programs and policies that get results for kids.
Moving Oregon to an ‘A’
In 2007 Oregon earned a “D” on Children First’s Report Card: The Status of Children in Oregon. Our state’s children deserve better. Unfortunately the complex issues facing children (poverty, lack of adequate health care, etc.) are compounded by a competition for resources between direct services, education and other vital systems and a deep ideological divide which cleaves our state and puts politics, not people first.
We can mend this fissure by connecting broadly with influential individual and community leaders across Oregon to develop an increased understanding of the interconnectedness of the issues; and reframe the challenges facing Oregon’s children and families as universal and actionable.
What we do:
With compelling, solid data in one hand and unrivaled expertise and passionate advocacy skills in the other, we influence and encourage decision makers to invest in programs that benefit both our children and our state. We provide objective, data-driven, policy publications and education activities to law makers, business leaders, foundations and other thought leaders across Oregon to aid them in making informed decisions that put children first.
As the Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT grantee for Oregon and the only member of the national Voices for America’s Children affiliate in our state, Children First is positioned to effectively advance evidence-based policy recommendations that get results for kids.
Major Initiatives for ‘07 – ‘09
Covering Oregon’s Kids: Ensuring access to affordable health coverage for all of Oregon’s children.
Fostering Success: Reforming the child welfare system to become a national model.
Good for Kids; Good for Business: Partnering with the business community to advance policies that will help Oregon’s children and economy thrive.
Questions about our financials?
If you would like information and details regarding our third party financial audit, please contact our office at or (503) 236-9754.
