About Us
Who are we? 
Every Child Counts - an advocacy network - is a division of the Child & Family Policy Center.
Every Child Counts is staffed to build a network in the state of Iowa to make children a priority for policy action and to provide network members with advocacy tools on important child policy issues, including policy statements and positions on childrens issues, as well as conducting advocacy training.
Every Child Counts concentrates on three policy priority areas - quality early care and education, child well-being and development, and child and family economic success.
Our Mission Statement:
Every Child Counts will be a powerful voice for public policies that support children and families.
Our Staff:
Sheila Hansen, Policy Director
Sheila joined the Child & Family Policy Center in Aril 2004, bringing over a decade of expertise in the early childhood and advocacy fields with her. Sheila has a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience through working with the WIC/MCH program as the Maternal/Child Health coordinator serving several central Iowa counties, as well as working with parents through Head Start and Early Headstart through YOUR, Inc. in many capacities. Sheilas advocacy wings grew even stronger in her role as Advocacy Consultant for the Iowa Head Start Association.
As Policy Director to Every Child Counts, Sheila concentrates her work on building a strong network of support for the youngest citizens of our state. Sheila holds degrees in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Iowa.