"We would like to take a step back and address the question, did kids count in the Missouri Legislature," said Emily Schwartze.

The discussion focused on three topics, health care, education, and protection for children.  Schwartze says health care is one of the most problematic areas in the state.

"Right now we have about 150,000 uninsured Missouri kids, so we would like to see health care expanded to reach more of those uninsured kids."

Advocates say child protection also needs improvement.

"Going forward, we need to do more near child abuse prevention, there's not a lot of funding available in missouri to try to prevent child abuse, says Jay Wood, from Missouri Kids First.

Advocates say they also want better early education programs, so Missouri children have a better chance to succeed in the future.

"One of the things we have to do is to make the most out of the federal dollars that are available to us, the budget is gonna to be tight, it's always gonna to be tight," says Stephen Webber, a Missouri House Representative.

Representatives and advocates encourage Missourians to make children their number one priority.