On Sept. 6, 2008, Casey Family Programs President and CEO William C. Bell addressed the Equal Voice for America’s Families National Convention. The convention took place simultaneously in three cities:

• Chicago
• Los Angeles
• Birmingham, Ala.

The conference was sponsored by the Marguerite Casey Foundation.
 
Focusing on families affected by child welfare
Bell’s speech underscored the needs of the nation’s most vulnerable families—particularly those who have been affected by the child welfare system.

The Equal Voice platform
Bell called on the nation’s leaders to implement the Equal Voice platform, which was created last year through a series of townhall meetings.

The platform calls for social and economic equality in:

• Healthcare
• Livable wages
• Housing
• Public education
• Voice in government

Bell's 10-minute speech begins at 1:03.