“All children and youth have a right to be safe, healthy, successful in learning and successful in life regardless of their language, culture, race, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or developmental abilities.”
— Santa Clara County Bill of Rights for Children and Youth
Santa Clara County, California, recently adopted a Bill of Rights for Children and Youth and, by doing so, have taken a major step toward implementing change within local government to create a more positive and supportive environment for youth.
“The bill of rights really is a commitment to our children and a commitment to consider the impact that budget and policy decisions have on children,” said Dana Bunnett, Executive Director of Kids in Common. “We want kids to be at the forefront of the decision-making process.”
The Santa Clara County bill asserrs that all youth have a right to
- a healthy mind, body, and spirit that enables them to maximize their potential;
- a safe and healthy environment, including homes, schools, neighborhoods, and communities;
- training in life skills that will prepare them to live independently, be self-sufficient, and contribute to their community;
- freedom from mistreatment, abuse, and neglect;
- a sense of hope for their future;
and several more essential characteristics of thriving youth.
When asked what a community considering adopting a Bill of Rights for Children and Youth should keep in mind, Bunnett and Larry Best, Executive Director of the Peninsula Partnership Leadership Council had these tips to share:
- Know what the document means, and what it doesn’t mean. The Bill of Rights for Children and Youth means that kids have a say in what matters to them—but that doesn’t mean an eight-year-old would be able to tell their parents they don’t want to go to school.
- Know what you’re saying. If you write your own Bill of Rights for Children and Youth, be sure to work with legal counsel so your county or organization is not taking on any kind of liability for all children and youth having everything that’s spelled out in the bill of rights.
- Know your community. What is distinct about your community? Santa Clara County has a fairly large immigrant community so the preamble to their Bill of Rights for Children and Youth includes information about valuing diversity. Consider how you can incorporate your community’s uniqueness into your Bill of Rights for Children and Youth.
- Get those in charge to be those involved. It’s good to get buy-in from people who are already leaders in the community. Ask the city council and school board to formally endorse the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth.
- Make it a real youth-adult collaboration. Get youth involved and speaking about the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth in the community. It’s very empowering for them and makes those listening know that this is an issue that truly matters to young people.
- The more people who know about it, the better. Build a public awareness campaign around the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth. Present it to faith communities, service organizations or any place that people in your community gather.
- Have a plan for the next steps. How do you hold groups accountable that have signed on in support of your Bill of Rights for Children and Youth? Have a plan in place to follow up with organizations that support the document to make sure they are taking action.
- Take time to celebrate your accomplishment. Have an anniversary celebration for the Bill of Rights for Children and Youth. Recognize community organizations and individuals who have done the more to make a difference in their local communities around the document.
If you’re looking to make a strong statement in your community, consider advocating for the adoption of a bill of right for kids. Whether you use the same bill as Santa Clara County or construct your own, it will make a strong statement: you are serious about improving your community for children and youth.
Download the Santa Clara County Bill of Rights for Children and Youth
