Mission and Goals

Mission: MCA advocates for sound public policies and best practices that improve the lives of all Maine children, youth, and families.

Vision: MCA's vision is that all Maine children are safe, healthy, nurtured by family and community, and have the opportunity to learn and grow to reach their full potential.

Values: "What's best for children and families?" is the question that frames all that we do. In addition, we are guided by our commitment to these values:

  • Whole child, whole family. We believe children's needs should be considered holistically in advancing policy and practice, which means working across sectors. Children are part of families; families need to thrive for children to meet their full potential.
  • Data integrity. We are committed to using and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data sets that are accurate and from reliable sources.
  • Equity focus. We prioritize initiatives for children and families who face heightened challenges because of poverty, race, geography, immigrant status, gender identity, disability, and other disparities.
  • Systems change. To achieve results in outcomes for children, we are committed to understanding root causes and improving systems and policies that underlie experiencing well-being.
  • Elevating lived experience. We believe that those most impacted by systems and policy - including parents and youth - should have a central advocacy voice in creating change.

Strategies: MCA achieves its mission through leadership and effective implementation of four key strategies:

  • Legislative and administrative advocacy to influence public policies and practices that improve the lives of Maine children and families. By building ongoing relationships with policymakers, MCA serves as a trusted resource.
  • Data and research to inform effective policy change, including the Maine KIDS COUNT Data Book and online Data Center, issue and policy briefs. MCA brings resources, experts, and knowledge of other states to Maine through its participation in national networks.
  • Working in collaboration with organizations, advocates, parents, and other partners to most effectively build support for and achieve lasting change. MCA is a key leader in statewide coalitions related to early childhood, child welfare, and parent advocacy.
  • Communications to educate the public and policymakers on important issues, through MCA newsletters, blogs, action alerts, earned media, and social media.

Commitment to Equity: MCA is committed to incorporate race equity into all aspects of our work, including setting advocacy priorities, data disaggregation and analysis, and board and staff recruitment and development, in order to address systemic and historic inequalities and create a more equitable Maine for children and families.

Learn more about MCA's goals and strategies in our 2022-2024 Strategic Plan Overview.