WHO: Children, parents and caregivers, legislators, community leaders, advocates for children’s issues and members of the media
WHAT: The annual Children’s Week “Children’s Capitol for a Day“
WHERE: Florida State Capitol Courtyard
400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee
WHEN: Tuesday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
WHY: To provide a platform and bring together children’s advocates from around the state to deliver the message that every child in Florida must be healthy, ready to learn and able to achieve their full potential.
Children’s Week commenced Sunday when volunteers transformed the Capitol Rotunda into an impactful display of children’s artwork and messages to legislators by hanging tens of thousands of paper cut-outs of children’s hands collected from childcare centers and Children’s Week partners throughout Florida. The hands are meant to remind policymakers to “give a hand” to Florida’s youngest citizens this Legislative Session. The display will remain hung until Friday, March 31, and members of the media are encouraged to take and share photos of the display.
Tomorrow, members of the media are invited to attend and cover events happening at the Capitol. Thousands are expected to visit with exhibitor booths hosted by more than 100 Children’s Week partners while enjoying complimentary breakfast, coffee and lunch. Children will explore an interactive “Storybook Village” where more than two dozen favorite children’s stories will come to life. At 1 p.m., the Children’s Trust’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) will explore the cause of youth violence during a 90-minute workshop. Middle and high school students are encouraged to attend the interactive event moderated by youth leaders from YAC.
Also happening Tuesday is a Town Hall Meeting for teens from 10:30–11:45 a.m. inside the Cabinet Meeting Room followed by a press conference from 12 –12:30 p.m. in the State Capitol Courtyard.
For a detailed schedule of events and more information about Children’s Week, visit www.childrensweek.org.
