PRESS RELEASE, December 8, 2003:

LEGISLATIVE FORUM ON CHILDREN & FAMILIES

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- With legislators heading to Richmond next month, a coalition of local civic and children’s groups have invited local Virginia State Senators and Delegates to participate in a legislative forum on children and families. The forum will be held Tuesday, December 16, 2003 from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. in the Caplin Pavilion at the UVA School of Law in Charlottesville.

Virginia State Senators Deeds and Hanger, Jr., and Delegates Abbitt, Bell, Landes, and Van Yahres will participate in a panel discussion on upcoming legislative issues related to children and their families. Panelists will be asked questions about tax policy, SOL tests, preschool initiatives, childcare subsidies, and standards of quality in our public schools. An open forum will follow and citizens are expected to raise issues concerning health insurance and affordable health care, gaps in academic achievement, dental care, mental health services, remedial education and SOL tests.

Sponsored by the Charlottesville/ Albemarle Commission on Children and Families, JustChildren, LexisNexis, Piedmont CASA, and the UVA School of Law Public Service Center, the forum will elicit the views of area citizens and sponsor open dialogue between citizens and their elected representatives. A reception will follow, during which community members can meet informally with legislators to discuss specific concerns.
Parking is available at the Superfield Lot near the law school. Participants should arrive early for optimum seating and to allow for parking. In the case of inclement weather, the forum will follow the school-closing schedule of the Charlottesville Public Schools.

For additional information, go to the CCF website: www.ccfinfo.org