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Conference to focus on children’s issues

Children’s issues will be the focus of the fourth annual Innovation and Leadership Conference at Drake University on Friday, Jan. 15.

 

The conference, which is open to the public, will explore the future of our culture based on policies and programs that relate to children. Multiple sessions will feature local leaders discussing a wide array of issues, such as:

  • Breaking Out of Poverty: The Role of Education in Breaking the Cycle
  • Children and Crime: Future of Iowa’s Juvenile Justice System
  • Children and the Military: Growing Up During a War
  • Obesity, Nutrition and Health of the Child
  • Refugees and Immigration: Impact on Children
  • Sexual Abuse, Sex Trafficking and Pornography: Protecting Our Children
  • Teenage Years: Issues Facing Iowa’s Teens

In addition, the conference will conclude with a panel discussion titled “Giving Voice to Children’s Issues.” Panelists will be:

  • Iowa Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines
  • Carlyn Crowe, program development consultant for the Iowa Chronic Care Consortium
  • Threase Harms, president and CEO of Advocacy Strategies LLC
  • Kathy Leggett, director of the Center for Advocacy and Outreach at Blank Children’s Hospital

Several conference participants were interviewed Jan. 14 on “The Exchange” program on Iowa Public Radio. A recording of the discussion
can be listened to or downloaded on the program’s Web site.

Drake’s Center for Professional Studies and the Iowa Department of Administrative Services are sponsoring the conference.

The cost is $20 and includes access to all sessions. The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. in Drake’s Aliber Hall, 2847 University Ave.

For more information and registration, visit the Drake Web site or call the Drake Center for Professional Studies at 515-271-2592.