The Setting the Stage: Planning for Intentional and Effective Places and Spaces for Children’s Positive Mental Health project examined the intersection between the factors that contribute to the positive mental health of children – with a focus on children ages birth to 8 years – and how the physical and social elements of places and spaces affect those factors.  The work resulted in an Integrated Plan which is a foundational piece of the John Rex Endowment's positive mental health goal focused on how the people, policies, practices, programs, and physical elements of a place or space can become more intentional and effective in promoting children’s positive mental health.

The Integrated Plan provides a variety of both broad and specific opportunities for participation and engagement that builds on the many resources and initiatives already in place in Wake County.  A set of best practices and quality improvement tools give children’s places and spaces a menu of options for identifying ways in which they can contribute to the healthy social and emotional development of children.  The John Rex Endowment is pleased to share this tremendous resource with our community.

• Planning for Intentional and Effective Places and Spaces for Children’s Positive Mental Health: Integrated Plan (236 pages)
• Executive Summary
• Sections:  TOC | Background | Project Description | Using the Integrated Plan | Implementation Priorities | Anticipated Outcomes | Supporting Deliverables

The following five sub-sections are highlighted for ease in accessing the information:  Sample Approaches to Implementation | Best Practice Indicators | Quality Improvement Tools | Case Studies | Literature Review, Expert Interviews, and Additional Resources

The report is the product of a John Rex Endowment planning grant awarded to the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy.   For detail on our five-year plan, see Our Plan for Impact: 2013-1018 – March 2015