Policy Cafe – Hosted by Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

We're partnering with Child Care Aware of the River Valley to present an AACF Policy Café in Fort Smith. Policy Cafés are a self-guided mini-conference where participants can choose from discussions that center around issues that impact children and families in Arkansas. We have done these for three years around the state and they have been very well-received. We would love it if you would join us in Fort Smith on October 23.

You can register here. It's FREE. https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/aradvocates/event.jsp?event=73

The issues covered can vary and we like to tailor them to our audience as much as possible. Some possible topics include:

• Juvenile Justice reform in Arkansas
• How to impact the state tax and budget system
• The Child Welfare System
• The Grade Level Reading Campaign
• Expanding After School and Summer programs
• Child health issues/the Private Option-Medicaid Expansion
• PreK and K-12 issues
• The Opportunity to Learn Campaign (Closing the achievement gap for low income and minority students)

So join us on October 23!

When: Oct. 23, from 9:00 a.m. to noon

Where: Creekmore Community Center, located at Rogers Ave. and South 31st St. in Fort Smith

More about our Policy Cafes

Working with a local partner, we bring the latest research, give a recap on the 2013 legislative session, and lead discussions on possible future legislation in Arkansas. We will have several tables in the room and  will assign a topic area to each of the tables. The table leader will be an expert in one our major issue areas. Event attendees can travel from table to table as a part of a small group to gather important information to make them a better child advocate. We go through three rotations at each table so you never miss an issue that's important to you . It’s like a mini conference but one that is more participatory, where attendees are a part of the conversation and not lectured to. Participants leave with an understanding of the role that policy plays in the lives of Arkansas children and families, past successes, future policy campaigns, and how to get involved.