Spring into Action conference

Space is filling fast!!  Don't miss our on this year's conference

REGISTER TODAY! 

Introducing Keynote Speaker
Dr. Barbara Fiese, Ph.D.

Barbara H. Fiese, Ph.D., is a clinical and developmental psychologist whose research focuses on family factors that promote health and wellbeing in children. She is considered one of the national experts in the role that shared family mealtimes may play in preventing childhood obesity during early childhood and the elementary school years. In her current role as Director of the Family Resiliency Center at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana she has dedicated resources to promote prevention of childhood obesity beginning in the preschool years as a priority.
Conference Details:
Hilton Hotel and Conference Center
700 E. Adams St.
Springfield, IL  62701
217-789-1530
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
10:00 am:  Registration Opens

11:00 am:  Keynote Address

12:00 pm:  Lunch – Featuring a Celebration of Kay Henderson
Please join us in celebrating ISBE Early Childhood Division Administrator, Kay Henderson, as we celebrate her amazing leadership.  The children and families of Illinois have benefited greatly from Kay’s unyielding support over the years, and we are pleased to honor her as she enters retirement.

1:00 – 5:00 pm:  Workshop Sessions
Choose from a variety of workshops including topics on eliminating poverty in Illinois, implementation of national health care reform, challenges and implications to utilizing federal food and nutrition programs, and much more!

Optional Dinner
Illinois Action for Children will be assisting interested conference attendees in hosting a dinner for their legislator(s) on Tuesday evening in Springfield.  Dinners will be small (6-8 participants from your area) and will be sponsored by Illinois Action for Children as funding allows.  Interested conference attendees will work with Illinois Action for Children staff to make arrangements for their dinners.  Please indicate your interest when you register!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
8:00 am:  Breakfast

8:30 – 10:00 am:  Plenary Session: Child Care and the Economic Security of Women
Panelists:
Michelle Saddler, Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services & K. Sujata, President, Chicago Foundation for Women
Moderator:
Maria Whelan, President/CEO, Illinois Action for Children
Panelists will discuss why affordable child care is a linchpin for  working women,  especially single mothers with low-wage jobs, and how it impacts families and Illinois’ economy as a whole.  The panel will begin the discussion with their presentations, and ample time will be allowed for a rich discussion on the policy solutions needed in Illinois to strengthen our support for the state’s most vulnerable families
10:00 – 11:00 am:  Prep for Capitol Visits
Does the thought of meeting with your legislators in the Capitol give you butterflies?  You aren’t the only one!  Illinois Action for Children’s public policy team is here to help you prepare for your visits.  Conference attendees will hear about pressing policy issues to discuss with elected officials and get tips from other advocates before heading over to the Capitol.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm:  Lunch

1:00 pm:  Tour of the Capitol
A guided tour of our State Capitol building has been arranged.  This tour is optional and space is limited.  Interested attendees will sign up at the conference.

12:30 – 2:00 pm:  Capitol Visits
Join conference participants in visiting with your elected officials at the Capitol. 

3:00 pm:  Conference Ends!
Complete your legislative visit reports and conference evaluation, pick up a snack for the road and have a safe trip home!
Times listed above are approximate and subject to change, we’ll do everything we can to notify participants of any changes in advance!
 
Register Now!

Space is limited so make sure to register soon!
Hotel Information:

A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at a special discounted rate.  You must make your own hotel reservations by calling the Hilton Springfield directly (217-789-1530).  Ask for the Illinois Action for Children room block.  The following rates are reserved until March 14, 2011 or until all the rooms in the block are reserved.

Single room: $99/night
Double room: $99/night
($15 per person, per night over two)