Many families experience basic needs insecurity — the lack or perceived lack of essential resources like food, housing, transportation, and physical safety. These basic needs are not isolated concerns but interconnected facets that are the cornerstones of optimal development. They profoundly impact a young person’s health, cognitive development, educational attainment, and, in turn, long-term economic security.

Supporting basic needs not only enhances child and family well-being but also strengthens communities as a whole. By providing these vital resources and services, we can begin to break the cycle of instability and create conditions that foster a nurturing environment for children and youth to thrive.

What We Fund:

To increase equitable access to services and supports that help meet basic needs, including safety, nutrition, housing, and transportation, we fund strategies that:

• Prevent and minimize the impacts of violence and trauma within families, schools, and the community
• Increase access to affordable, culturally responsive, nutritious food for those experiencing food insecurity
• Support transitional housing and emergency sheltering, with wraparound support for young people and families experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness
• Offer safe, affordable, and reliable transportation for young people and their families

Social well-being is the ability to communicate effectively with others, develop and maintain positive relationships, and create a community of support. Emotional well-being is the ability to effectively cope with life’s stressors and to identify and manage emotions in a way that supports and improves mental health. Both aspects of well-being are essential to the healthy development of children, youth, and their families.

Developing a strong, positive sense of identity supports social-emotional well-being by providing a sense of belonging, purpose, and self-worth. A strong sense of identity often emerges from feeling accepted and valued within social groups such as family, friends, and community. Understanding and embracing one’s cultural identity can also enhance social connections and emotional well-being, fostering a sense of pride and belonging.

When young people feel supported and connected to each other, their families, and their community, they are more likely to meaningfully contribute and engage in civic life. This results in a healthier, safer, and more resilient community.

What We Fund:

To increase the cultivation of a strong sense of identity, development of supportive and nurturing relationships, and engagement in opportunities that build connections and community engagement, we fund strategies that:

• Create opportunities for parents and caregivers to build social support and strengthen relationships with their children
• Help children and youth cultivate healthy and supportive relationships with peers and trusted adults, including access to diverse mentors
• Support young people in developing effective coping, self-management, and self-regulation habits and skills
• Implement evidence-based restorative justice practices with young people that aim to build a sense of community while responding to conflict and harm
• Encourage pride in community, culture, or identity through free or affordable extracurricular and enrichment activities
• Help young people develop leadership skills and engage in civic life

High-quality behavioral health promotion and prevention efforts are essential in preventing or reducing unhealthy risk behaviors among children and adolescents. These services must be culturally responsive, affordable, and accessible, promoting autonomy, self-advocacy, and trust.

When additional support or intervention is needed, accessible, family-centered behavioral health services become vital. Mental and behavioral health issues often emerge in early childhood or adolescence, shaped by family dynamics and interactions. This underscores the importance of providing comprehensive support not only for young people but also for their families.

By prioritizing culturally responsive care, providers ensure that interventions are relevant, respectful, and effective, fostering trust and a sense of belonging within the communities they serve. This holistic approach enhances the overall well-being of both children and their families.

What We Fund:

To increase the experience of optimal behavioral health for children, youth, and families, we fund strategies that:

• Help young people make informed decisions and establish positive behaviors related to behavioral health, such as staying active, eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, refraining from substance misuse, delaying early sexual activity, and preventing STIs and unwanted pregnancy
• Support children, youth, and their families experiencing behavioral health crises
• Provide access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally responsive behavioral healthcare, including efforts to address gaps in services or remove barriers to quality care
• Use a systems-level approach to maintain a diverse and affordable network of behavioral health services and support

Supporting the economic stability and advancement of young people and families is essential for building a prosperous and equitable community. Families facing consistent financial hardship are more likely to experience heightened stress, depression, and family conflict. Limited resources force parents and caregivers to make difficult decisions as they juggle employment, financial obligations, and family responsibilities. This challenge is compounded when communities lack access to critical resources like affordable childcare and quality education.

However, when families achieve stability, parents, caregivers, and young people gain the freedom to explore pathways to economic advancement. Opportunities for career development, higher education, or vocational training leads to stable employment, living wages, and the ability to build wealth and attain long-term financial independence. Beyond improving the quality of life for individual families, economic stability strengthens the community’s overall economic health, fosters resilience, and helps reduce social and economic disparities.

What We Fund:

To increase economic stability and advancement for children, youth, and families, we fund strategies that:

• Focus on career development and readiness for young people and their parents or caregivers
• Offer holistic educational support for students
• Improve quality and increase access to affordable childcare, including home-based, center-based, preschools, and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers