November 18, 2016
November 21, 2016
On November 18th, SCAN hosted its 5th Annual Speak Up for Children Advocacy Training, bringing together more than 40 elected officials, child welfare experts and community members for a day of public policy education and advocacy training.
Partners from Prevent Child Abuse Virginia and Voices for Virginia’s Children along with elected officials including Senator Jennifer Wexton and Senator Barbara Favola led discussions during the day-long, interactive workshop. The group discussed effective advocacy tactics, legislative updates and policy priorities for the upcoming 2017 VA General Assembly session.
A central portion of the training focused on advocating for public policy relating to substance-exposed infants, as well as Erin’s Law, which requires that all public schools implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program teaching child abuse awareness, recognition and reporting for students, parents and school personnel. The law was introduced in Virginia last year but languished in the legislature.
The training was sponsored in part by Verizon. Volunteers from Boeing supported promotion, planning and facilitation of the event. Search for social media related to the event using @SCANofNOVA #SpeakUpforChildren. Explore resources from the training here.