Melissa Rooker, executive director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund, has been announced as one of the featured speakers at the First 1,000 Days Kansas Summit. 

The summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29, 2024, at the Kansas Health Institute, 212 S.W. 8th Ave. #300, in Topeka. 

This is the second year for the First 1,000 Days Kansas Summit. The goal of the First 1,000 Days is to improve the well-being of children and families during the period of the parent’s pregnancy through their child’s second birthday. Its vision is equitable access to what Kansas families need to thrive during the first 1,000 days by making sure all Kansas families have access to support - including mental and physical health services, high-quality child care, paid leave, financial security and support networks - regardless of their skin color, gender or life experiences.  

The summit will bring policymakers and leaders together to explore policy solutions to help all families thrive. 

The day will begin with breakfast and networking at 8:30 a.m. followed by a welcome and an introduction to the First 1,000 Days. Other topics throughout the day will include: 

• Momnibus Act: Built for Moms and Babies 
• Birth Equity: What is It and Why it Matters 
• Donor Juman Milk: Equitable Access Across Kansas 
• Paid Family and Medical Leave 
• Early Childhood in Kansas 
• Maternal Mortality Review Committees 

Attendees are invited to come and go as their schedule allows. Lunch and snacks will be provided. For more information and to register, click here. 

Rooker will serve as a featured speaker on Early Childhood in Kansas. She will be joined by Elliot Regenstein, Foresight Law + Policy. 

A special group rate of $139 per night is available at Cyrus Hotel. The deadline to book hotel rooms at the discounted rate is Dec. 28, 2023.