Frequently Asked Questions

What is Action for Children North Carolina?

Action for Children North Carolina is a non-profit organization working to improve the lives of children in North Carolina. Action for Children is a politically neutral, nonpartisan organization.

What is the difference between Action for Children North Carolina and the N.C. Child Advocacy Institute (NCCAI)?

Action for Children North Carolina and the N.C. Child Advocacy Institute are the same organization; "Action for Children" is simply the organization's new name, changed in April 2006. Since 1983, Action for Children North Carolina, formerly known as the North Carolina Child Advocacy Institute (NCCAI), has acted as a leader in securing the opportunities needed for all of North Carolina’s children to flourish.

Why does North Carolina need Action for Children?

Rather than assisting children individually through direct services, Action for Children seeks to initiate and influence broad change that makes a positive difference for all children and families in North Carolina.

We do this by compiling, analyzing and sharing accurate, up-to-date statistics and
research on child well-being indicators with people and policymakers statewide. Action for Children also partners with community leaders to directly influence—in an independent, nonpartisan manner—the attitudes and actions of all people across the state. Our work to educate, engage and influence people has the ultimate goal of ensuring cost-effective policy and changes in practice that benefit and protect our state’s children and youth.

What are some of Action for Children's goals?

To energize and inspire people to make a difference in the lives of children and young people;
To encourage policymakers to invest limited resources in preventing problems among children rather than paying for more costly interventions after the problems have developed;
To increase investments in children, making cost-saving prevention the keystone of state policies and practices;
To ensure that state investments have measurable, recognizable impact;
To help inspire and support community coalitions and other groups around the state who are working to achieve similar goals;
To inform and influence the public policy debate; and
To provide timely, accessible and credible data to policymakers, community leaders, media, key business interests, parents, grassroots advocates and others.

How does Action for Children reach its goals?

Action for Children works directly on issues affecting children through data and policy analysis and research on children in North Carolina. Action for Children publications highlight areas where North Carolina must work harder to provide for her children as well as those areas in which North Carolina’s children are excelling;
Action for Children speaks up for children and those who care about the future of North Carolina’s children;
Action for Children works to create state- and local-level change on child policy issues;
Action for Children increases awareness of children’s issues through meetings with local and state business, government and community leaders;
Action for Children works with other organizations (with similar goals) to increase trust and coordination between groups that might not otherwise work together; and
Action for Children works with representatives from all segments of society—business, faith, media, law enforcement, social services, government, elected and appointed officials and others—who create and impact the culture in which our children grow.

How is Action for Children different from service providers or government agencies?

Community programs and most agencies are created to provide a particular service to a specific group of people. These organizations and programs are essential, but can only reach those children and youth enrolled in them.

Action for Children's work is different. Action for Children works to alter the way communities and systems operate and do business to, in turn, impact all children and families, whether they are enrolled in a program or receiving services from an agency or not. Think about it this way. Who is creating the "community culture" in which our children are growing? Media? Business? Medicine? Schools? Others? The answer is all of us, collectively, create that culture whether we realize it or not. For that reason, we must all be involved in creating the best communities, services, opportunities and success factors possible for each child.

That is what Action for Children does. We work to achieve (and measure) identified community or system changes needed to improve the chance that each child will succeed and thrive from birth through age 21.

What is the difference between Action for Children and the Covenant with North Carolina's Children?

The Covenant with North Carolina’s Children is a 501(c)4 coalition working to advance policies that benefit North Carolina’s children and pushes for legislation in eight issue areas: child welfare, early childhood education, economic security, education, health, juvenile justice, mental health/substance abuse/developmental disabilities and safety. While similar to the Covenant, Action for Children is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and, as such, is limited in its lobbying capacity to influence policy. Action for Children advocates for child well-being by educating and engaging people across the state, not necessary by always engaging in lobbying work. Action for Children and the Covenant often join forces, though, during any given legislative session in an effort to affect change that benefits and protects children and youth in our state.

So what is child advocacy really all about?

Never underestimate the focused power of a few! Increasingly, people and communities are working together to identify how we can help our children flourish, by planning community resources to make sure children get what they need to succeed. Action for Children is working to build healthy communities that share a common vision and purpose—to make North Carolina the best state in which to be and to raise a child!

The involvement of every person, every business, every group, every school, every public servant and every agency is crucial to the future of children in North Carolina. Help create healthy communities that nurture children from birth until adulthood! You are needed in your community, in your county and at the state level. You have special interests and talents. Please visit our North Carolina Child Advocates page to see what groups are in your community. Take Action!

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