Since 1995, South Dakotans from across the state gathered in Pierre to speak on behalf of children at Children's Day at the Capitol, hosted by South Dakota Voices for Children. This year's event, February 2, drew advocates who, like Voices, are committed to assuring that every child in South Dakota is healthy, educated and safe.

Dr. Susan M. Randall, executive director of South Dakota Voices for Children, welcomes advocates to 2010 Children's Day at the Capitol. The annual event offers opportunities to learn about legislative issues that affect the well-being of children education and to visit with policymakers.

Senator Tom Dempster, Republican assistant majority leader, Sioux Falls, is the prime sponsor of a bill that would establish the framework to provide voluntary pre-kindergarten programs to children from low-income families. Here he explains the value of such an investment from an economic perspective, noting that research by economists with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis shows that for every dollar invested in quality early education for low-income children, more than $7 in public funds was saved.

Representative Bernie Hunhoff, Democratic minority leader, Yankton, is a supporter of Senator Dempster's bill that would establish an Early Learning Council to establish community planning processes and eligibility criteria for entities seeking state funding to provide voluntary pre-kindergarten programs to children from low-income families. The measure has Voices' full support.

Denise Smith (left), Sioux Falls, and Eileen Spellacy Leir (right), Rapid City, are with the Family Link program, which is one of the programs targeted under the governor's budget cutting measure. They urge reinstatement of the program, which is designed to stabilize family situations so that children can return to their homes through care management and advocacy. Family Link becomes involved with families through a referral from Child Protection Services after abuse or neglect has been substantiated.

The budget is a state's single most powerful decision-making tool. But too often budgets are written and debated in terms that most citizens (and even many policymakers) can't understand. Joy Smolnisky, who was recently named director of the South Dakota Budget & Policy Project, explains that her job is to provide the translation. She will analyze budget trends and options to make clear the crucial choices that South Dakota faces.

As a step toward helping children and their families out of poverty, Voices for Children in partnership with the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota, has launched the South Dakota Bridge to Benefits Web site. Dr. Greg Boris, South Dakota Voices for Children's senior policy and program specialist and lobbyist, explains the site can improve the well-being of many families and individuals by linking them to tax credits and benefit programs. To find out if you or someone else may be eligible, go to sdbridgetobenefits.org.

Roger Tellinghuisen, attorney and lobbyist, Scott Swier, attorney and lobbyist, Deb Fischer Clemens, Avera Health vice president for public policy (left to right), take questions from participants at Children's Day at the Capitol. The three gave advice about how to effectively lobby lawmakers.

Entertainment by Pierre area youngsters has become a Children's Day at the Capitol tradition. Children from the Oahe Child Development Center Head Start Program wait to be called to perform at the 2010 event.