2010 Pre-Legislative Conference

Register today!

Dec. 2 in Little Rock: 2010 Kids Count Pre-Legislative Conference

The Arkansas Kids Count Coalition and its member organizations present the Pre-Legislative Conference, held before each regular legislative session.

• Learn about legislation being considered for the upcoming 2011 Arkansas General Assembly that will impact the children and families of Arkansas.

• Hear how the state budget is responding to these tough economic times.

• Discuss the political climate, the proposed bills, and the many challenges that will face members of the Arkansas Legislature as it considers proposals that will affect the education, health and economic well being of Arkansas children.

• Hear from key stakeholders about how the child welfare and juvenile justice system might be affected by new laws.

• Network with local advocates, policy wonks, political junkies and people who help shape the legislative session.

The 2010 Pre-Legislative Conference
Thursday, Dec. 2
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
St. Johns Conference Center, Catholic Diocese
2500 North Tyler, Little Rock

Cost: $25 for non-Kids Count members and $15 for Kids Count members. Includes all sessions and lunch. Scholarships are available for advocates in rural areas to attend.

Register by emailing or calling Susana O'Daniel at 501-371-9678, ext. 112. Deadline for registration is Nov. 24.

Click here for more information about our Nov. 18th Pre-Legislative Conference in Springdale.

Little Rock Agenda

8:15     Registration Opens, Fitzgerald Hall Lobby

9:00     Welcome, Fitzgerald Hall Room 101

9:05     Kids Count Steering Committee Report

9:15     Kids Count Data Center: How to find statistics, maps and charts on child wellbeing--Tara Manthey AACF Communications Director

9:30     Understanding the State Budget--Richard Wilson, Assistant Director, Bureau of Legislative Research

10:30   Breakout Sessions 

Education (room 102):

Susan Harriman, Director of Policy, Arkansas Department of Education

Tonya Russell, Director DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Jay Barth, Chairman, Arkansas Out of School Network

Jay Barth, Chairman, Arkansas Out of School Network

Health (room 101):

David Laffoon, Director, DHS Department of Behavioral Health

Rosi Smith, Director of Governmental Relations, AR. Children's Hospital

Suzanne McCarthy, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement,

Economic Self Sufficienc (rom 103):

Geania Dickey, ASU Childhood Services

Brett Kincaid, Outreach Director, AACF

Rich Huddleston, AACF and Poverty Task Force Co-Chair

Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice, (room 104):

Ron Angel, Director, DHS Division of Youth Services

Lisa McGee, DHS, Office of Chief Counsel

Renia Robinette, Attorney Ad Litem Program Director, Juvenile Division, AOC

11:15   Break

11:30   Repeat Breakout Sessions

12:15   Break

12:30   Lunch

Luncheon Speaker: Dr. Sherece West, President, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

1:45     Wrap-up and Closing Comments