Children's advocates will rally Tuesday at the Natrona County Courthouse to demand that politicians speak out for children, according to a release from organizers. The event is one of a dozen similar rallies scheduled across the state.

"The people of Wyoming support strong state and federal policies that provide investments in children and families," Jackie Immel of Children & Nutrition Services said in the release. "Most of our children live in secure homes where they have the support and resources to reach adulthood both emotionally and physically healthy.

"Unfortunately, we know that there are still thousands of Wyoming children who can't afford to visit the doctor and lack child care and early education."

Added Pam Walker of the Wyoming Early Childhood Partnership, "Investing in children early in life means a stronger economy, more productive citizens and a better Wyoming."

Walker, Immel and representatives of Casper's Head Start, the Casper Area Chamber of Commerce, the Equality State Policy Center, and Casper College are working together to increase awareness and pressure candidates to communicate their plans on addressing children's issues, according to the release.

The Casper event begins at 9:30 a.m. in Pioneer Park, across from the Natrona County Courthouse on Center Street. It will include trike, bike and wagon decorating, sign-making for kids and a song from the Boys and Girls Club choir.

Scheduled speakers include mayor Paul Bertoglio, Police Chief Tom Page, foster mom Pat Hans, students Ricardo Vasquez and Dominique Maestas, Dr. Michael Granum and John Starnes with the Child Development Center of Natrona County.

For more information

In Casper, call Jackie Immel with Children & Nutrition Services at (307) 266-1236 or Dan Deal with the Equality State Policy Center at (307) 472-5939.

Outside Casper, call Deanna Frey with the Wyoming Children's Action Alliance at (307) 635-2272.

Online, visit www.wykids.org/voices//news or http://everychildmatters.org/Wyoming/About/Wyoming-Home.html.

Other rallies

n BUFFALO, CODY: all day, wear red to show support.

n EVANSTON: 4 to 5 p.m., Uinta County Courthouse

n GREEN RIVER: 9 to 10 a.m., Sweetwater County Courthouse

n JACKSON: Noon to 1 p.m., Teton County Courthouse

n LANDER: 4 to 5 p.m., Fremont County Courthouse

n LARAMIE : 9 to 11:30 a.m., Albany County Courthouse

n NEWCASTLE: 10 to 11 a.m., Weston County Courthouse

n PINEDALE: 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Sublette County Courthouse

n SHERIDAN: 10 to 11 a.m., Sheridan County Courthouse