Beyond basic needs, adequate income is needed to promote the social development of children by including them in community life, nurturing their talents and ensuring they can participate with their peers in healthy and stimulating activities. Employers and the voluntary sector, as well as governments have a role here. The report outlines actions that can be taken in the next ten years to create programs and services that are rich and varied enough to meet the needs of the different kinds of families in Canada today. Today, they often have to choose second or third best choices. The Blueprint requires joint action by persons and institutions outside the family, as well as support for the family so it can do its best.
Governments can help build consensus and provide funding to help make things happen.
It makes use of a wide range of research materials, including the findings of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. A Policy Blueprint for Canada's Children is the major policy report resulting from a three year, multi-stage project. Stroick and Jenson are also preparing a detailed synthesis report that will compile all the research conducted for this project. The primary source of funding was a group of Canadian foundations, with additional support from 3 provinces and 2 federal agencies.