Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon

OREGON POLICY

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon is a statewide bipartisan anti-crime group led by 130 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, other police leaders, and violence survivors. As leaders on the front-line in the battle against crime, our mission is to take a hard-nosed look at the research about what works to keep kids from becoming criminals. Research and experience show that certain targeted investments in programs that give kids a good start in life will prevent children from engaging in later crime and violence. These investments include quality early education and care, child abuse and neglect prevention, after-school programs, and programs that help troubled kids get back on track.

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon primarily works on federal legislation supporting crime-prevention investments in kids. In the past year, these efforts have focused on:

building support for the Education Begins at Home Act (S. 503 / H.R. 3628), which would provide federal support for evidenced-based in-home parent coaching programs for at-risk mothers. These programs help new parents be the best parents they can, which cuts child abuse and neglect and reduces later crime.

building support for increased federal funding for Head Start, the federal pre-kindergarten program for at-risk 3- and 4-year olds, and Early Head Start, an early childhood education program for infants and toddlers. Increased funding is needed to give more kids access to this proven crime-prevention program and improve quality through efforts like increased teacher qualifications.

advocating for a federal budget that prioritizes proven investments in kids that will help them get the right start in life and avoid later crime.

For more information on our areas of focus, please visit our federal policy page.

If you would like further information or have any questions about Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Oregon's policy priorities, please contact Martha Brooks at mbrooks@fightcrime.org.