UPstream INVESTMENTS
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Invest Early. Invest Wisely. Invest Together.
The Upstream Investments Policy initiative promotes strategic investments in evidence-based and prevention-focused approaches that address community, family and individual problems before they occur. Prevention strategies can occur across the life span and include quality early childhood education, building youth resiliency and promoting healthy aging. By working together, we can ensure that all Sonoma County residents have the opportunity for quality education, positive health outcomes and economic wellness.
Three strategies guide the work of the Upstream Investments initiative:
INVEST EARLY Local funding and resources are dedicated to prevention and early intervention whenever possible.
INVEST WISELY Upstream policies and programs have the highest likelihood of success because they are proven by research to work.
INVEST TOGETHER We will see the greatest community-wide change when government agencies, community-based organizations, schools and businesses coordinate efforts and direct place-based investments to solve local issues.
GET INVOLVED WITH UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS! • B E A CHAMPION for local investments in programs proven to prevent the need for downstream interventions. • A DVOCATE for early childhood care & education programs that work in your neighborhood and school. • S UPPORT INITIATIVES that are aligned with Upstream goals, such as Health Action, Cradle to Career and the Santa Rosa Violence Prevention Partnership. • A TTEND Upstream Investments trainings to help build your organization’s capacity to use data to support quality programming. • U SE THE PORTFOLIO of Model Upstream Programs and the Portrait of Sonoma County to inform programming and direct resources.
The Portfolio of Model Upstream Programs is a collection of local, prevention-focused practices that are proven to work. Over 80 Sonoma County organizations implement Portfolio programs that are informed by research and evaluation. Programs are organized into three tiers:
Evidence-Based Programs Promising Programs Innovative Programs Programs on the Upstream Portfolio address one or more of the following goals:
HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF ALL CHILDREN EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING HOUSED, SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES ECONOMIC SECURITY FOR ALL Learn more about the Portfolio of Model Upstream Programs at upstreaminvestments.org
“All Sonoma County residents deserve a high-quality education, and schools can’t shoulder this responsibility in isolation. UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS engages the entire community in supporting the healthy development of all children in and out of school. Healthy communities support thriving families and those are the best conditions for educational success.” SOCORRO SHIELS, SUPERINTENDENT, SANTA ROSA CITY SCHOOLS UPSTREAM POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBER
“Investing early in our young people and their families has been proven to be the most effective method of combating long-term poverty and disenfranchisement. When children are engaged and supported from a young age, they gain the tools to resist peer pressures leading to antisocial and criminal activities. Our early investment yields successful outcomes, reduces our future criminal justice costs, and results in a happier, healthier, more engaged Sonoma County.” EFREN CARRILLO, FIFTH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR FORMER UPSTREAM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
“Recent changes in the criminal justice system make investing upstream more important than ever. With the shift from incarceration to rehabilitation it’s critical to know that we’re investing in interventions that are proven to be effective.” JILL RAVITCH, SONOMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY UPSTREAM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
UPstream INVESTMENTS
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upstreaminvestments.org facebook.com/upstreaminvestments upstream@schsd.org (707) 565-8797