Wyoming Families First

In the fifth program of the new Wyoming PBS series "Wyoming Families First," the Children and Families Initiative will be examined.

"Understanding the Children & Families Initiative" looks at the two-year process where an advisory group of representatives of state and local agencies, non-profit and private sector groups examine the problems children and families face in Wyoming and develop ways to better serve them.

The half-hour program features interviews with Gov. Freudenthal who signed the act that resulted in the Initiative as well as experts including Marilyn Patton M.S.W., Assistant Deputy, Children and Families Initiative; Tiernan McIlwaine. Early Childhood Coordinator, DFS; and Tucker Fagan, CEO, Wyoming Business Council.

"Through the Initiative, we are looking closely at the system that is set up to help children and families in our state and determine what works and what we can improve on," said Rodger McDaniel, director of Wyoming's Department of Family Services. "In order to better serve Wyoming's families, we need to get their input and participation in this Initiative."

"With this program, we wanted to give a concrete, easy-to-understand overview of the ongoing process of the Initiative," said Aliza Sherman, the show's producer. "The creative challenge for us was to take something that is not yet finished and explain what is happening and why so Wyoming citizens can be engaged in the process."

Children and Families Initiative Top Five Goals & Indicators

To improve the lives of Wyoming's children and families we share a desire to work toward:

1. Wyoming families & individuals living in a stable, safe, supportive, nurturing, healthy environment.
1. Rate of substantiated cases of abuse and neglect
2. Rate of drug and alcohol use by juveniles (YRBS)
3. Rate of domestic violence arrests
4. Rate of divorce
5. Rate of suicide


2. A diverse economy that provides a livable income and ensures wage equality
1. % of growth in non-extraction industry jobs
2. % of families earning Family Economic Self Sufficiency Standard
3. Rate of gender / wage disparity
4. Rate of multiple job holders
5. Rate of average state wage compared to Federal Poverty Level
6. Rate of GED achievement for age 25 and up


3. Affordable and accessible health care and insurance.
1. % of uninsured by adult, children and minority groups
2. % of employers providing subsidized healthcare coverage
3. Rate of write-offs by hospitals.
4. % of children receiving dental care prior to 5 years of age
5. % of communities / counties designated 'Health Professional Shortage Areas'
6. % of people who forego medical care due to expense


4. Children born healthy and achieving their highest potential during their early development years.
1. % of mothers receiving prenatal care in the first trimester
2. Rate of maternal smoking during pregnancy
3. % of children who receive developmental screening
4. % of children demonstrating school readiness at 5 yrs of age
5. Rate of teen pregnancy


5. Students successfully educated and prepared for life's opportunities.
1. % of students successfully completing High School (9-12)
2. % of free and reduced lunch students testing proficient in the state assessments.
3. % of students testing 'literate' as determined by Dept of Ed.
4. Rate of completion of post-secondary education.
5. % of residents 15-19 years old not in school and not working

Download the Children and Families Initiative Top Five Goals & Indicators (Word)

Download the Children and Families Initiative Top Five Goals & Indicators (PDF)