Advocating for Kids

January 5, 2005 – Politics shouldn’t be a spectator sport, but if you want to get in the game, it helps to know how to play. Find out how successful child and family advocates get their goals accomplished by logging in to the latest edition of Connect for Kids' TalkTime Live! online discussion series.

Connect for Kids Advocacy Director Jan Richter will be joined by Heather Ford, who has led effective state advocacy efforts to reform juvenile justice policies in Maryland; Dan Ritter, a federal lobbyist; and Anita Gottlieb, who has taught seminars for state legislators.

Advocates, parents, policymakers and anyone else concerned about making kids a political priority in 2005 and beyond are encouraged to send advance questions and comments for the experts to rob@connectforkids.org. Those who can log on during the chat will also be able to submit live questions.

TalkTime Live! is a bimonthly online discussion series for expert panelists, concerned parents, educators, advocates and policymakers. Previous TalkTime Live! topics have included finding funding for nonprofits, recruiting and retaining foster parents, and books for teens.

What: TalkTime Live! online discussion – a dialogue on advocating for kids and families

Who: Heather Ford, former Executive Director, Maryland's Juvenile Justice Coalition
Dan Ritter, Partner, Preston Gates & Ellis LLP
Anita Gottlieb, President, Gottlieb & Associates
Jan Richter, Advocacy Director, Connect for Kids

When: Wednesday, January 12, 2005
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET

Where: http://www.connectforkids.org.
Transcripts of the discussions are available online.

Connect for Kids makes the best use of communications technologies, specifically the Internet, to give adults – parents, grandparents, guardians, educators, advocates, policymakers, elected officials and others – the tools and information they need to improve the lives of children, youth and families. The Connect for Kids Web site covers more than 30 topics ranging from arts to youth development, foster care to adoption, and welfare reform to oral health.