Tennessee Commission on Children
and Youth
Linda O'Neal, Executive Director

Advocates Gather for 20th Annual Children’s Advocacy Days

Celebration and motivation will underlie the 20th Annual Children’s Advocacy Days scheduled for March 11-12 at War Memorial Auditorium.

Drawing from the enthusiasm of election year 2008 and the motivation of the political conventions, this year’s event, Today, Tomorrow, Tennessee, will serve as a rallying event for children’s advocates.

Former Mayor Bill Purcell will speak on Tuesday, as will representatives from state departments. The Making KIDS COUNT Media Award, Youth Excellence Award and the Jim Pryor Child Advocacy Award will also be announced on March 11.

Important and current issues will be spotlighted on Wednesday’s program. Mary Louise Hemmeter, director of the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning at Vanderbilt University will present her research on early childhood education. Lissa McLeod, of the Children’s Defense Fund’s will examine the factors involved in what it has named the “Cradle to Prison Pipeline.

The celebration of child advocates will include training to become better advocates for children, networking opportunities and opportunities to interact with legislators.

The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth is an independent agency created by the Tennessee General Assembly. Its primary mission is to advocate for improvements in the quality of life for Tennessee children and families. For more information and to register, contact TCCY at (615) 741-2633 or visit the agency website at www.tennessee.gov/tccy/cad.htm.

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