Whole Child Equity Partnership (WCEP)

Whole Child Equity Partnership (WCEP)

A whole child approach envisions a society rooted in racial and economic justice where all children are embraced, valued and cared for; where every Black, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Latine child and their family has access to systems and services that promote their health, well-being, and the life opportunities that enable them to thrive. The mission is to advance a collective Whole Child Equity agenda that seeks to improve the conditions under which children develop, learn, live and play, celebrate and value the strengths and attributes of their racial/cultural/linguistic identity, and support their sense of belonging.

Together, we work to make California the best state to have, raise and be a child. 

To accomplish this, the WCEP, a multi-racial, multi-sector coalition of community and statewide organizations, advocates, community organizers, direct service providers and issue area experts, works across multiple disciplines to advocate for holistic policies and programs that center the assets and needs of California’s Black, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Latine young children and their families that face the greatest systemic challenges. 

The Children’s Partnership co-chairs this coalition with Catalyst California. Steering Committee Members include the following organizations: A Black Education Network, Black Californians United for ECE, California Black Women’s Health Project, California Child Care Resource and Referral Network, Californians for Justice, California Pre-Term Birth Initiative, Center for District Innovation and Leadership, End Child Poverty CA/GRACE, Families in Schools, First 5 Association, First 5 LA, First 5 Center for Children’s Policy, InnerCity Struggle, San Diego Community Birth Center, SEIU and Ventures.  

The WCEP’s evergreen guiding principles are to:

• Advance strategies that promote healing and long-term asset building for children, families, and communities most impacted by institutionalized anti-Black racism
• Move forward community-centered, culturally and linguistically affirming solutions in health, education and social systems
• Uplift community strengths and leadership to understand how to best meet the needs of children and families and allocate resources.

Building on these principles, the WCEP has the following goals to advance racial equity and economic justice for PN-3 children and their families:

• Goal 1: California families have access to navigation and peer support to guide them to needed economic, social-emotional and developmental services in their communities that are culturally resonant
• Goal 2: California families have the social support and adequate financial resources to support the healthy development of their infants and toddlers.
• Goal 3: California birthing people are able to receive adequate prenatal care, birthing/parenting supports, and postpartum care to support the healthy birth and development of their infant and toddler.
• Goal 4: California families have the social support to enable the early learning development of their infant and toddler.
• Goal 5: California families with young children are able to have affordable, reliable and high-quality health coverage and care.

To learn more, please contact Eva Rivera, Advocacy Director, Early Childhood Development, at erivera@childrenspartnership.org.