Summary of Valued Conditions
Valued Conditions Expressed by King County Residents
• Parents have adequate time to provide love, nurturing and stimulation to children. They are explicit in teaching values and provide role models for resolving conflict.
• Business and corporations are “family and community friendly.” For example, no forced overtime, flexible work schedules, family and medical leave, paternity and maternity leave.
• People create a balanced daily lifestyle with adequate time for interaction with families, friends, for leisure activities, and for volunteer activities in the community.
• Children are ready to learn and prepared for the social environment of schools (through early childhood education, child care and preschool experiences).
• Quality daycare is available for all who need it.
• Every young person is connected to family, school, and a community group and has a sense of belonging.
• Adults interact comfortably with youth and communicate that they care and are supportive. Parents, teachers and other adults express clear guidelines and high expectations of the youth they interact with.
• Middle and high school graduates are socially competent and resilient young people. (Teachers develop relationships with students and show that they care).
• Young people belong to youth organizations and school clubs where adult and peer friendships and support are strong. Gang membership has no appeal.
• Children and youth do well academically.
• People and communities are supportive of public schools.
• Elders frequently interact with family, friends and neighbors and are active in community projects and interest groups and participate in intergenerational activities.
• Elders have the daily care they need as they progress in age.
• People continue to learn at all ages.
• People actively participate in community based arts and cultural events: attend museums, performances, participate in arts organizations, study music, art, and literature, and make music and art, individually and together. Children are engaged in music and art.
• Communities support the involvement of youth in activities that benefit others and the community at large. Children learn basic morals of human life and are involved in serving others. Parents and teachers reinforce basic values of respect, responsibility, caring for others, stewardship of environment, tolerance, and sharing.
• People make more decisions based on the welfare of other people and the environment.
• People have sources of spiritual growth and renewal.
The valued conditions came from citizen opinion expressed as values and concerns in the telephone survey, focus groups, and in the civic and public forums. The valued conditions are expressed as “ideal” conditions—based on the vision of what residents want for themselves, their families and communities.
