In June 2017, Voices for Virginia's Children released a new publication and resource--The Future of Virginia Starts Today: 2017 Election Guide. The 2017 election is incredibly important in Virginia; the state will vote for a new governor, lt. governor, attorney general and all 100 House of Delegates seats.
The Future of Virginia Starts Today: 2017 Election Guide is made up of two components.
- Report: Economic Success Depends on Children's Economic Security-- This KIDS COUNT report provides the link between current demographic trends and their impacts on future economic security.
- Infographics & Questions: 8 One-Page "Cheat Sheets" by Focus Area-- Each one-page handout contains data and talking points to highlight relevant policy decisions on the front side, and questions for candidates running for office on the reverse. The policy focus areas include: Childhood Trauma, Early Childhood, Education, Foster Care, Health Care, Mental Health, the Opioid Epidemic, and the School to Prison Pipeline.
To provide some tips on how the guide might be used in nonprofit organization's work, or in an individual capacity, Voices produced at short, 12 minute webinar that walks through examples of how to use this Guide. This information is also available as a written guide. They have also produced a social media guide with opportunities to highlight this resource.