The Agenda for Children, introduced in the City of Cambridge in 1997, has as its mission to bring together city departments (library, schools, human services, health and police), the Cambridge Community Foundation, community-based organizations, businesses, and residents to ensure that the city's children are healthy and successful in school, while living in strong communities.

After an extensive community process, the City's Kids' Council identified two goals for citywide action:

• All Cambridge children and families will be able to read;
• All Cambridge children and youth will have access to safe, stimulating, nurturing and healthful out of school time activities. 

Implementation of the Agenda for Children Initiatives began in the Spring of 2001.

The Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative objectives are:

• That parents and primary care givers be supported in their role as primary and continuous teachers of language;
• That child care workers and teachers be supported in their role in developing literacy and have the necessary tools;
• That children have access to necessary resources to practice literacy activities;
• That children who might experience difficulty learning to read and write be identified early and receive support.

The Agenda for Children Out-of-School Time Initiative objectives are:

• That families and service providers build their connection to one another;
• That service providers strengthen their connection to one another through partnerships;
• That all out of school time programs strive for the highest quality through innovative programs.

For further information please visit the Agenda for Children website at www.cambridgechildren.org.