FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2015

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health joins other state and local agencies, community organizations and providers of children's services in promoting Children's Week, a special annual celebration that brings thousands of children to the state capitol for an opportunity to meet legislators and participate in numerous child-centered activities.

"Families are essential for helping children achieve health for a lifetime," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "Children's Week is a chance to highlight the importance of teamwork when it comes to growing healthier children, families and communities across the Sunshine State."

What: Children's Week

When: April 13–17, 2015

Where: Florida Capitol

The 20th annual event kicked off on April 12 with the "Hanging of the Hands," a cherished tradition of hanging tens of thousands of paper cut-outs of children's hands decorated by children from schools across the state. The hands will hang throughout the Capitol Rotunda through Friday, April 17 to highlight the importance of children's issues and to strengthen the focus and impact of legislative policies for Florida's next generation.

Several activities are scheduled for the week, the majority of which will take place Tuesday, April 14 at the State Capitol Courtyard. These "Children's Capitol for a Day" activities include breakfast from 8:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m., a luncheon from noon–1:30 p.m., Storybook Village from 9 a.m.–2 p.m., and a Children's Week press conference and Hanging of the Hands dedication ceremony at noon.

The Florida Youth Commission will hold a Town Hall Meeting April 14 from 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. at the Tallahassee City Hall. The meeting will feature a forum of Florida students addressing and discussing important issues with several state and community leaders, including Dr. John Armstrong. Following the panel, the Florida Youth SHINE (Striving High for Independence and Empowerment) will present an interactive Youth Advocacy Workshop from 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Guided tours of the new and old capitol buildings will also be provided April 13–15.

The department's Division of Children's Medical Services and Division of Community Health Promotion will be on hand at the capitol April 14 to exhibit health-focused messages and provide materials that educate and encourage families to help their children develop healthy food and activity habits.

For a full list of Children's Week events, visit http://childrensweek.org/index.php/events/2014-children-s-week. For information about Children's Week observances throughout the state, visit http://childrensweek.org/index.php/events/events-by-county.

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. The department is recognizing 125 years of public health in Florida with educational opportunities and events. Please visit www.FLHealth125.gov for more information.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.