January 23, 2018 (Albany, NY) – NYS PTA, the oldest child advocacy association in New York State has just been notified that they are the recipients of the National PTA “2018 Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award.”
National PTA will recognize NYS PTA at the 2018 National PTA Legislative Conference from March 13-15th in Arlington, VA. With nearly 300,000 members in more than 1,400 school buildings, NYS PTA’s 121 years of advocacy has made a significant positive impact on New York’s children and families.
“Advocacy is at the heart of PTA’s mission, and I am so proud of our members, leadership, and staff for their continued action on critical items that affect children,” offered Gracemarie Rozea, President. “As NYS PTA Leads the Way, we will proudly accept this award on behalf of our 300,000 members and for the work they do every single day in their schools and communities to support children.”
The Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award is presented to a state PTA that, through their dedication, leadership and efforts positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy compatible with PTA’s mission and goals.
These efforts must be based on a statewide issue, involve working with multiple organizations or coalitions through grassroots collaboration, and contain a public awareness/advocacy training component for PTA members and the community at large.
“NYS PTA’s advocacy work to add electronic cigarettes to the Clean Indoor Air Act was one of the many advocacy issues members took action on last year,” added Dana Platin, Vice President of Advocacy. “Our members and parents also fought for multiple pathways to graduation, adequate and equitable school aid for all children, increases in support for English Language Learners and students with disabilities, and continued support for the prevention and treatment of heroin and opioid use.”
Kyle Belokopitsky, NYS PTA Executive Director offered, “As a parent of a school-aged child, I am humbled each and every day by the dedication of NYS PTA members. It’s amazing to realize that every day, a PTA member is advocating for my child, and his classmates, and every child in every zip code and corner of New York State. NYS PTA will continue to Lead the Way for ALL children.”