Introduction to the "Opportunity, responsibility, and security A consensus plan for reducing poverty and restoring the American dream" report

Through thoughtful  leadership, innovative policies, support for emerging programs and proven models to support children, mothers, fathers, individuals and communities, America can be a better nation for all residents. Children are the future of any community or nation. The investment into our future should examine and change the negative conditions of millions of children who will be our future as a nation. This is a very detailed report  with twelve (12) concrete recommendations that needs champions to review the report and share with stakeholders inturn present to leaders (public, private and elected) to make a difference in the lives of millions. In brief, AEI/Brookings make twelve recommendations (each explained more fully in the report): To strengthen families in ways that will prepare children for success in education and work:

1. Promote a new cultural norm surrounding parenthood and marriage.
2. Promote delayed, responsible childbearing.
3. Increase access to effective parenting education.
4. Help young, less-educated men and women prosper in work and family.

To improve the quantity and quality of work in ways that will better prepare young people—men as well as women—to assume the responsibilities of adult life and parenthood:

1. Improve skills to get well-paying jobs.
2. Make work pay more for the less educated.
3. Raise work levels among the hard-to-employ, including the poorly educated and those with criminal records.
4. Ensure that jobs are available.

To improve education in ways that will better help poor children avail themselves of opportunities for self-advancement:

1. Increase public investment in two underfunded stages of education: preschool and postsecondary.
2. Educate the whole child to promote social-emotional and character development as well as academic skills.
3. Modernize the organization and accountability of education.
4. Close resource gaps to reduce education gaps.

In their final chapter, they discuss the costs of this comprehensive proposals, and how the nation might pay for this comprehensive approach to reducing poverty and enhancing opportunity.   READ THE FULL 85 PAGE REPORT HERE  FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Caitlin Burke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about the report or AEI event.    Members of the AEI/Brookings Working Group on Poverty and Opportunity: Lawrence Aber | Stuart Butler | Sheldon Danziger | Robert Doar | David T. Ellwood | Judith M. Gueron | Jonathan Haidt | Ron Haskins | Harry J. Holzer | Kay Hymowitz | Lawrence Mead | Ronald Mincy | Richard V. Reeves | Michael R. Strain | Jane Waldfogel