Highlights from last years events:

America stepped up for kids on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. Social workers, child advocates, politicians, and kids joined together across the country to rally for children’s issues including health care, poverty, early childhood education, and after-school programs.

The Every Child Matters DC staff kicked off the event with Dr. T. Berry Brazelton at an evening reception the night before on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. National cosponsors, staff, and friends turned out to celebrate the beginning of what has become an annual event.

Kicking off the main event’s national extravaganza Tuesday morning, ECM President, Michael Petit spoke to members of the press and fellow child-advocate representatives at the National Press Club in D.C. Petit was joined by other speakers Dr. Brazelton, Renee Jenkins of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Elizabeth Clark of the National Association of Social Workers, and Jim Hmurovich, president & CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America.

Following the press conference, a group of DC youth led members of the audience over to City Hall where they joined fellow classmates and Fox News reporter Claudia Coffey for a Q&A with three young students about what it’s like growing up in the nation’s capitol.

Snapshots:

WASHINGTON, DC   Dr. T. Barry Brazelton spoke about the importance of investing in kids at the National Step Up for Kids press conference in Washington, D.C.	WASHINGTON, DC   Local D.C. children paraded from the national press event to the local D.C. event held at City Hall.
WASHINGTON, DC   Three speakers at the local D.C. event discussed personal stories of schooling and growing up in the nation’s capital.	ALASKA   Participants in Juneau, Alaska stood together for 10 minutes in silence to symbolize how children do not have a voice in the political world but are still greatly affected by its policy.
CALIFORNIA   One young audience member was captivated by what local school member, Cortez Quinn, had to say about the importance of early education.	NEW YORK - LONG ISLAND   Attendees in Long Island, New York stand with county legislator declaring September 16, 2008 as Step Up for Kids Day.
TENNESSEE   The Birds of Prey Exhibit at the NW Tennessee Step Up event attracted a large audience. Paris Landing State Park ranger Tammy South shows off one type of the park’s many bird species.	UTAH   Children and families attend the Step Up for Kids event in Salt Lake City, Utah. Those in attendance played games, made crafts, and listened to music, all in celebration of America’s kids!
UTAH   Chris Bray, executive director of Children’s Service Society of Utah, led the state event.

Press:

»NBC12 TV News (Richmond, VA) - video 

»CBS4 TV News (Denver, CO) - video       

»MSNBC News (covering Duluth, MN)

»WIBW News (Topeka, KS) - video

»more media coverage