Press Release - Lt. Gov Named Child Advocate of the Year
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, october 7, 2008
CONTACT:
Ellen Dumm, 303.866.6361, ellen.dumm@state.co.us
Wil Alston, 303.917.8059, wil.alston@state.co.us
LT. GOV. O'BRIEN AWARDED CHILDREN'S ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARD BY LOCAL CHILD ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION
Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien was awarded the first ever Children's Advocate of the Year Award by the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics (RMYC) this morning during its First Annual Children's Advocate of the Year Awards Breakfast. The event was a gathering of more than 200 area business and healthcare leaders and RMYC stakeholders. The award was presented to Lt. Gov. O'Brien for her advocacy work on behalf of children during her tenure as president of the Colorado Children's Campaign.
"Barbara has been a long-time advocate for young children and teens, and she has a history of innovative policy initiatives," said Dr. Larry Wolk, founder and executive director of RMYC. "Her years as president of the Colorado Children's Campaign made her the perfect choice as our first year honoree. She has left a lasting impact on the lives of children and that work continues today in her role as Lt. Governor."
Lt. Gov. O'Brien spent 16 years as president of the Colorado Children's Campaign, a statewide public policy and advocacy nonprofit organization. In her role as Lt. Governor, she is also responsible for providing leadership on behalf of Gov. Ritter to his early childhood and education-related issues.
"Health care is such a key part of how well children do in school and in their belief in their future," said Lt. Gov. O'Brien. "I'm proud to receive the first annual Children's Advocate of the Year Award from the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics and look forward to continuing to work with them to strengthen the community health care safety net for Colorado's kids."
Founded in 1996, the Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality health care services to children and adolescents in Colorado, regardless of their insurance status or family's ability to pay.