Docs For Tots strives to inform our network doctors of social issues affecting children’s health and in turn encourage doctors to share this information with those who can advocate on a larger level for change.  DFT is happy to present an opportunity for our doctors to work with an organization that is creating awareness of children’s health and development with active campaigns throughout the summer and fall.

Citizens for Missouri's Children

Citizens for Missouri’s Children (www.mokids.org) is a nonprofit, non-partisan public interest organization focusing on child protection, early care and education, health and mental health care, and youth development. The organization supports Missouri’s children by raising public awareness, educating, mobilizing citizens, and partnering with coalitions, committees and task forces.

Citizens for Missouri’s Children is leading an innovative, non-partisan campaign to make children’s healthy development a top priority in the November 2006 election.The campaign is called Kids First, and is designed to increase voter education about the needs of children in the community and to encourage candidates for legislative office to address these needs in their platforms.

The Kids First Campaign is intended to build a public constituency for children’s issues in swing areas of Missouri to enhance lobbying efforts and make funding initiatives more viable in the future. It is not intended to elect or defeat candidates.

There will be a series of events held through November including briefings and candidate forums. These events will focus on raising awareness of children’s issues such as health care, early care and education and child protection.

Doctors can participate in this campaign by serving as non-traditional and effective messengers for these issues. If you are interested in learning about the different ways that you can get involved with the Kids First Campaign or with Citizens for Missouri’s Children, please contact Docs For Tots.