As we enter 2025, many of us will be anticipating what will be next for our country. It appears that there will be considerable changes to come. Also, some of us will make resolutions to make significant changes in our own lives by losing weight, exercising more or making some new goals that we wish to achieve.
What I think would be an incredible 2025 or any coming year commitment is to create what I would like to label, “The Year of the Child!” For so long we have realized that the state of our kids is lacking in support of some key areas, such as drug addiction, mental health struggles, academic underachievement, abuse, violence, bullying and family struggles.
Imagine if we set this list as New Year’s resolutions as a nation:
That every child whose parents work would have quality daycare that is trauma-informed with well-trained and well-paid staff,
That every school would have the resources to provide counseling and other social work supports for students and their families,
That all parents would have access to quality parenting education to support them through the ages and stages of their children,
That abusive or neglectful parents would have systematic parenting education and home visitation to help them with their parenting skills,
That kids who are drug-addicted would receive the counseling and intensive support they would need for rehabilitation,
That every child would have quality healthcare,
That every child would have adequate food and nutrition,
That all of our schools and systems of care for children would be required to be trauma-informed and trauma-responsive,
And that no child would be without services, support and therapeutic communities that they need to thrive and achieve their life goals.
Imagine the changes in our country if these supports and mandates became our mantra for supporting our children and teenagers. The way we treat our children is the way we care for the future of our nation. As we anticipate our next year and years to come, I wish for a nation that will focus on the health and well-being of our children and families. Let’s make this a year of the child, even if it is only for those children that we encounter naturally in our own daily lives.
Happy 2025 to you and your family!
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
