Fight Crime Invest in Kids Oregon America must cut the pipeline that funnels young people into lives of crime and violence. We take a hard-nosed look at research on what keeps kids from becoming criminals and put that information in the hands of policy-makers and the public.

Read our School and Youth Violence Prevention Plan
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High-quality early education programs that give kids the right start in life are among the powerful weapons we have in the fight against crime

Oregon's law enforcement leaders work everyday to put dangerous, violent criminals behind bars. From years on the front line fighting crime, police chiefs, sheriffs and district attorneys know that we can beat back crime with a commitment to investing in pre-kindergarten, Head Start and educational childcare that keep kids from becoming criminals in the first place. The evidence is in. Quality pre-kindergarten readies kids to learn, reinforces respect and responsibility for others and reduces behavior problems that can spiral out of control. Research confirms that at-risk children left out of quality pre-kindergarten are five times more likely to grow up to become criminals by age 27 than children in pre-kindergarten. Quality pre-kindergarten also saves $17 for every $1 invested. Yet, due to under-funding, last year 40 percent of Oregon's children eligible for Head Start were not served by the program, an estimated 6400 children.

Members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon released a report to educate lawmakers about the effectiveness of Head Start, Oregon Pre-Kindergarten and other quality pre-kindergarten programs in preventing crime. We host conferences and forums across the state to raise awareness of this issue.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon calls on Congress to:
  • Fully meet the needs of America's at-risk children for early education and care by expanding and improving Head Start, Early Head Start and quality child care.
  • Invest in quality improvement, including ensuring teachers have B.A. degrees.


Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon calls on Oregon Policymakers to:
  • Adequately fund Oregon Pre-Kindergarten and fully meet the needs of Oregon's at-risk children for early education and care.

Reports

All Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon reports on Pre-K, early education, child care and Head Start:

Report
Year
Head Start Cuts Crime In Oregon 2006
Investing in Oregon Head Start Pre-kindergarten Saves Money 2006
Preventing Crime with Pre-Kindergarten: A Critical Investment in Oregon's Safety (brief) 2006
High-Quality Pre-Kindergarten: The Key to Crime Prevention and School Success in Oregon 2004
Preventing Crime with Quality Child Care: A Critical Investment in Oregon’s Safety (brief) 2003
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon 17675 SW Farmington Road, PMB# 336 Beaverton, OR 97007 (503)649-2068 1-866-512-3245
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