Nineteen years ago in Allen County, Indiana, Judge Pratt and his assistant Kathy Rausher had an idea to bring together community leaders on behalf of kids.  Judge Pratt was a Juvenile Court judge and his idea reflected his view that the community could intervene on behalf of kids and work to prevent them from having to end up in Juvenile Court.

The first meeting drew 100 people.  Nineteen years later 650 community leaders gathered at the convention center in Fort Wayne, the county seat of Allen County.  Last Thursday, I made my fourth visit to what is now the Great Kids Make Great Communities conference.

Judge Pratt and Kathy Rausher’s idea has become a year round movement with a dynamic full time leader, Megan Kelly.  This year every one of the 650 leaders received a copy of No: Why Kids – of All Ages - Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It.  The Say Yes to No campaign was launched in Allen County.  Book reads will take place throughout the county.  As Judge Pratt said, “Say Yes to No is what kids need today for success and happiness.”

Tell us about your Say Yes to No campaign.

Dr. Dave