Nov. 23, 2021
Child Friendly Cities Initiative schedules community action planning sessions
Through the Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI), the City of Johnson City is working toward recognition as a UNICEF Child Friendly City. The local CFCI leadership recently conducted a situational analysis of child well-being in the city and will present its findings at three community action planning sessions on Dec. 4, 5, and 6. Each session will be held at 2 p.m. at the Johnson City Public Library, 100 W. Millard St.
“We are excited to share the findings with the community,” said Johnson City Public Library Director Julia Turpin. “The City will implement an action plan that prioritizes the best interests of children and youth using the findings from this analysis. Our children are our most precious resource and we are excited to be working with our partners and community members to take the next steps in being recognized as a UNICEF Child Friendly City.”
The first session on Dec. 4 will be held as part of the library’s Community Conversation Listening Circle for individuals who wish to learn and practice intentional listening skills. It will be facilitated by Librarian Lisa Williams. The other sessions will not include the listening circle component.
Originally created in 1996, UNICEF’s Child Friendly Cities Initiative uses a child rights-based framework to build a roadmap for establishing safer, more just, equitable, inclusive and child-responsive cities and communities around the world. Since its inception, CFCI has been adopted in over 3,000 municipalities in 40 countries.
Through the CFCI Framework for Action, Johnson City will identify objectives under five goal areas focusing on supporting children and young people, including: safety and inclusion, children’s participation, equitable social services, safe living environments and play and leisure.
“The City and its partners – ETSU, Ballad Health, Frontier Health, Johnson City Schools and the Johnson City Public Library – are developing a tangible, measurable work plan to ensure an optimum environment for Johnson City’s youth,” Turpin said.
Residents are encouraged to send messages directly to the Board of Commissioners letting them know how Johnson City can help families thrive via this website: https://act.unicefusa.org/CFCIJC or text: CFCI JC to 52886.