This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Trish Taddeuci, of Brentwood's Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition wins Advocacy Award, Advocates Rally at Capitol for Kids, Meet With Legislators

(ST. LOUIS – April 1, 2014)  Members of the Missouri Alliance for Children, Youth and Families and citizen advocates will march to the capitol Tuesday to raise their voices on behalf of children.  

Advocates will hold a rally on the capitol lawn, and meet with legislators to urge their support for public policies bearing most on children, youth, and families.

This year the focus of Child Advocacy Day (CAD) is to encourage Missouri legislators to support budget increases for First Steps, Missouri Preschool Project, Parents as Teachers, and the Children's Division for abuse and neglect services. The Alliance will also meet with legislators in support of legislation pending for pre-k, child care licensing requirements, and a statewide immunization registry.

Find out what's happening in Maplewood-Brentwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“While children’s issues require year-round vigilance, Child Advocacy Day is our opportunity to come together as experienced and beginner advocates to provide a voice for Missouri's children. It’s crucial for our elected officials to hear from child advocates to remind them that kids are Missouri's best investment,” said Stephanie Joellenbeck of AWS.

“CAD is one of the most important days in Jefferson City. Hearing the voices of Missouri's children is critical for our state legislature,” said Rep. Jeremy LaFaver (D-25).

Find out what's happening in Maplewood-Brentwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Alliance will also present awards to outstanding child advocates in Missouri who have made a difference in the lives of Missouri children and families. The award recipients are: Karen Berding, Coordinator for Parents as Teachers at Moberly Public Schools, and Trish Taddeuci, Foster Care Education Advocate, at the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition in St. Louis.

In conjunction with advocacy activities and exhibits in the capitol rotunda, advocates from around the state will also participate in a series of advocacy workshops to help them become better informed about children’s legislation currently being considered before the Missouri General Assembly.

Missouri Child Advocacy Day is a day of action for citizens who work to advance public policies and promote critical funding for programs that improve the lives of Missouri’s children, youth, and families. The Missouri Alliance for Children, Youth and Families is committed to assuring that the public policies impacting children work for them, not against them. Child Advocacy Day is also an opportunity for advocates to become better informed about children's legislation and to demonstrate an active grassroots network of citizen advocates. More information online:  http://www.childadvocacyday.org  @mochildadvocacy Hashtag:  #MOCAD2014

###





We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Maplewood-Brentwood