The Rochester Children's Zone

Dear Supporters:

The Board of Directors of the Rochester Children's Zone, Inc. would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to create a comprehensive plan to ensure that all children who live in the neighborhoods of the RCZ are safe, loved and educated.

The transition of the management of this initiative from the Rochester City School District (RCSD) to the independent not-for-profit corporation Rochester Children's Zone, Inc. has been completed with the support from the RCSD team that brought this community-based effort into being. The core values of resident engagement, governance by consensus and adherence to a principle-driven approach, which shapedthe RCZ process from the beginning, continue to guide our work as we carry out the strategies and achieve the objectives set during the Community Planning Process.

In order to make a visible, measurable difference in the lives of children and families in the Zone as quickly as possible, the RCZ, Inc. Board has identified seven focus areas and outcomes from the Plan, which should be achievable within the first year of implementation activities and with initial State funding. The selection of these focus areas is the first step in carrying out the Multi-Year Objectives established by Zone residents.

We have formed seven Action Teams to address these initial priority focus areas and objectives. Year One Focus Area and Objective, Specific Outcomes to be achieved, the Action Team working in each area and the Team's current meeting schedule.

YEAR ONE FOCUS AREAS & OBJECTIVES

YEAR 1 FOCUS AREA/OBJECTIVE	OUTCOMES	ACTION TEAM	MEETING TIME
Health & Wellness Improve overall health status, health care access and outcomes	Establish health insurance or health insurance equivalents and primary care physician relationships for all children and families through telemedicine, collaboration with existing community health centers and organizations. Increase lead testing and decrease the prevalence of lead poisoning.	Health & Wellness	1st Thursday of the month 5:30-7:30 p.m. School No. 6 Portable-Hudson Ave. & Upper Falls Blvd.
Prenatal & Early Childhood Development Nurture Children during their first five years of life.	Support and expansion of Nurse-Family Partnership program. Increase prenatal care instruction, provision and monitoring as a part of a "Baby College."	Early Development & Care of Children	Not currently meeting, pending action on team proposal
Parent Support/Adult Education & Employment Expand access to adult literacy, education & employment services & opportunities	Collaborate with the City of Rochester Literacy initiative, various program providers and funders to assure adult literacy. Deliver accessible financial education and literacy programs within the RCZ.	Parent Support	To Be Determined
Financial & Language Literacy	Deliver accessible financial education and literacy programs within the RCZ.	Housing & Community Development	To Be Determined
High School Graduation Increase RCSD Graduation Rate.	Expand the number of youths who have mentors. Deliver accessible financial education and literacy programs within the RCZ.	Youth Support	2nd Tuesday o the month 5:30-7:00 p.m. Lincoln Library- Joseph Ave. & Ave. D 3rd & 4th Thursday of the month. Site TBD
Community Safety & Environment	Address truancy in collaboration with the RCSD, RPD, the city and community organizations. Increase neighborhood crime watches. Establish, expand and support programs to promote peaceful resolution of disputes. Expand affordable after-school and recreation programs.	Community Safety	4th Wednesday of the month School No. 6 Portable- Hudson Ave. & Upper Falls Blvd.

HOW WE PLAN TO COMMUNICATE - GET INVOLVED

Please keep in mind that this chart shows only the Year One priorities for community action. As soon as we demonstrate success in these areas, we will set new priorities to achieve our Multi-Year Objectives.

If you are not yet involved with one of the Action Teams, please contact Ellen Lewis, RCZ, Inc. Transition Team Leader, to let us know which group you would like to join and your name will be added to that team's distribution list. You can contact Ellen at 295-1000, Ext. 251 or elewis@rochesterchildrenszone.org

Our goal is to communicate with all people who live in the RCZ or are involved with RCZ, Inc. activities in ways that are most accessible to them. Our new website will be available by the end of February and will provide updates from the Action Teams, a master calendar of meetings and other community activities. In the future, we will have a photo gallery, links to community resources and much more. Information will be mailed to people without e-mail addresses and materials will also be distributed through schools, churches, neighborhood organizations, service providers, businesses, agencies and other community locations. There will also be regular community meetings and public forums to continue sharing information, ideas and plans.

If your organization is interested in submitting a proposal for funding from RCZ, Inc. that will help the community achieve the outcomes shown above, please use the Common Application Form. This form is available on the Rochester Area Community Foundation website: www.racf.org and will soon be available on our own RCZ, Inc. website: www.rczinc.org. Other information about the proposal process and submission deadlines will be distributed by the end of this month.

Thank you again for your commitment and contributions to the revitalization of the Rochester Children's Zone community. Please click on the Forward Email links (below or at the top of this email) to send this news to your friends, neighbors and anyone else you'd like to be informed about our efforts.

Sincerely,

Ellen Lewis
Transition Team Leader

RCZ Implementation... From Plan to Action.