Principles & Values
The Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies' experience and research suggests the following principles as a guide in evaluating and creating local, state and national policies and services that impact individuals, families and communities:
- The ultimate goal of policy decisions is the common good, which requires compromise and sacrifices by all community members.
It's necessary to prioritize needs and resource allocation with the common good as the goal, while resisting singular interests which tend to polarize people.More » « Close
- People need to demonstrate personal responsibility and strive for economic self-sufficiency and should be supported in recognizing and overcoming their limitations.
Our ways of helping people should not encourage dependency, but should be based on a realistic view and approach to all of the factors necessary to success.More » « Close
- Everyone should have an opportunity to work.
The social and economic costs of joblessness are huge, and dealing with them is our collective responsibility. The demand that people support themselves should be paired with policies that increase opportunities for, and alleviate barriers to, employment.More » « Close
- Opportunity must be equally available to everyone.
We must deal seriously with disparity and discrimination on all levels in order to make opportunity real for community members of all backgrounds.More » « Close
- Citizens should contribute to their communities through their active involvement.
People can help to build healthy communities through various kinds of service and public policy should promote and expect citizen involvement.More » « Close
- Infants need to bond with their parents and families, and policy makers should incorporate that need in their planning.
Though there is no "one right way" to structure family time and care giving, the needs of very young children should be the highest priority in decision making by and about families.More » « Close
- Healthy children need consistent care, nurturance, and guidance which is best provided through the involvement of two mature adult parents.
While we need to recognize and deal with the many reasons for the increase in unmarried mothers and fathers, public policy in this area should be based on the best interest of children and be compatible for a widely diverse population of parents.More » « Close
- Families are stronger when fathers are actively and consistently in their children's lives.
Children are better off when their fathers as well as mothers provide both financial support and emotional nurturance, and who both serve as positive role models in every aspect of life.More » « Close
- Families need to be safe in their homes, schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
Children and families deserve to be protected from violence and abuse of all kinds.More » « Close
- Children need to complete their education. Young people should be expected to complete their schooling and a high priority should be placed on improving educational opportunities.More » « Close
- Families with children should make every effort to preserve the family unit and avoid family disruption.
Public policy should encourage parents to make every effort to provide an intact, nurturing family for their children. Under no circumstances should violence or abuse be tolerated in family life.More » « Close
- Families should care for their elderly members to the best of their ability.
Public policy should encourage and assist families who are caring for their elderly parents and relatives by making a variety of supports readily available to all families.More » « Close
