Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment where their social and emotional needs are met. For Black and Latino children in Rochester, this means having access to supports that are both equitable and culturally responsive. Social-emotional wellness is not a “nice to have.” It is essential for lifelong health and success.
Organizations in the HEF Learning Collaborative are working to make this vision real. Some are embedding trauma-responsive practices into their programs. Others are creating safer and supportive places where children and youth can play, learn, and connect. Step by step, the goal is to ensure social-emotional supports are available from cradle to career.
We’ve seen that children’s wellness cannot be separated from their cultural and community context. Supports are most effective when they reflect families’ lived experiences and strengths. Looking ahead, we need stronger investment in culturally responsive mental health and family services, as well as closer collaboration across organizations so that children are supported holistically, not in fragmented ways.
We will know this lever has reached its potential when families can count on consistent, accessible social-emotional supports. Organizations will view family well-being as central to every practice and program. And across Rochester, safe, supportive environments for children will no longer be the exception, but the norm.