Drivers heading south on Center Street looked confused as more than 80 children and child advocates crossed the street en masse to the Natrona County Courthouse.

High school students from Star Lane Center carried signs that read, "Raise awareness to raise great kids" and "Want my vote? Invest in kids!" They were joined by preschool children from Headstart, the YMCA and the Child Development Center of Natrona County, teachers and bystanders for the second annual Step Up for Kids Day rally.

Students and community members spoke about issues facing the state's children: early childhood education, juvenile justice, autism and support services outside the family. Casper participated in the national effort to make children's issues a legislative priority along with 9 other communities in Wyoming: Cheyenne, Cody, Evanston, Jackson, Laramie, Rawlins, Riverton, Rock Springs and Wheatland.

"We have a lot of bills that go through the Legislature that deal with animals and very few that deal with children," Pam Walker, director of the Wyoming Early Childhood Partnership, said. She counted 30 bills concerning livestock in the state Legislature last year and only three that addressed children.

"We have to have health insurance for children," Walker said. "We have to aim for early quality care."

Christy Garner's seven-year-old daughter was diagnosed with autism at 22 months and received help early on. She said 12 percent of all children will be diagnosed with a developmental delay this year and budgets for services shouldn't be cut.

"Those children will deserve the same early intervention and quality services that Josie had so that they too can live a typical life, go to a regular school and be integrated," Garner said.

Every dollar spent on early intervention saves $7 in correctional programs after childhood, according to Garner.

"The idea is to spend more money on little ones so we don't spend it on the big ones later," she said.

Students from Star Lane Center spoke about the need for a new juvenile detention center in Natrona County.

"It's not fit for adults, so why would it be good for kids?" student Marcus Southwick said.

Reach education reporter Jackie Borchardt at (307) 266-0593 or at jackie.borchardt@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/reportcard