Youth Conference Update

The Little Egypt of Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children Conference took place at Shawnee Community College, Saturday, April 16, attracting more than 200 participants. The conference featured Dave Pelzer, author of a series of biographical books including "A Child Called It," was the keynote speaker. Four of his books were simultaneously on the New York Times Best Sellers List. Due to his literary successes and other personal accomplishments, he has been recognized as an Outstanding Young American and an Outstanding Young Person of the World. Pelzer's presentation for the day was titled "The Real Heroes."

The conference was co-sponsored by Child Care Resource & Referral, Regional Office of Education, Shawnee Community College, Southern Seven Head Start and STAR NET. Local contributors were Anna State Bank, First National Bank of Jonesboro, Dr. Michael and Johnny Eck, Rodney Henry of Taylor, Dodd and Wood Insurance, Cobden Sport Court and Attorney Leslie Peters.

Dean Hamilton, a member of the Illinois State Police, presented "The Drug Endangered Child." He provided information on the current methamphetamine lab situation in the southern seven counties and how it is affecting the lives and safety of young children. He also discussed the life style of the child, what can be done, and what the state of Illinois is currently doing in their attempts to protect the drug endangered child.

April is the national Month of the Young Child as well as Child Abuse Prevention Month.