MEDIA ADVISORY 
August 2, 2007  


FOR INFORMATION CONTACT

Sherriene Jones-Sontag
785/296-2302

SPEAKER TO TAKE PART IN NEWS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING A SCIENCE-BASED FRAMEWORK FOR EARLY CHILD POLICY

Topeka – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld will participate Monday, August 6, 2007 in a news conference in Boston, MA to announce the release a new report on policies that would benefit children and all of society.

The report is the result of research done by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, at the request of state legislators from across the country. It is based on a remarkable convergence of new knowledge about the developing brain, the human genome, and the interdependence of cognitive, social, and emotional development. Bipartisan interest in and support for crafting early childhood policies based on science and informed by four decades of program evaluation research charts a course to improving outcomes in learning, behavior, and health for vulnerable children.

Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., Director, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University and Rep. Ruth Kagi, Washington State Representative also will participate in the news conference.

-30-

WHEN: August 6, 2007, 11 a.m. ET (10 a.m. Central Time)

WHERE: National Conference of State Legislatures Annual Meeting,

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 152

MEDIA PARTICIPATION: Credentialed members of the media may attend by entering the convention center via the Summer Street entrance and registering on-site in room 153 immediately upon arrival. The event will take place in room 152. Members of the press must have their credentials available to present to registration staff.

REMOTE PARTICIPATION: Members of the media who are unable to attend in person may participate via two-way conference call. To participate call:

toll-free: 888-286-8010            local: 617-801-6888                Passcode: 10133006

Register with the operator in order to participate; it is recommended that participants call in 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the call to register. Questions may be asked via phone or in person. A recording of the press conference will be available on this phone line from one hour after the conclusion of the call until August 20.

Printed copies of the report will be available in Room 152, and to call-in participants who leave a mailing address with the operator. Copies will also be available for download at www.developingchild.harvard.edu

You also can contact: Al Race, Director of Communications al_race@harvard.edu (617) 495-4158