PITT'S OFFICE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT TO DEDICATE FAMILY SUPPORT TRAINING CENTER TO TOM FOERSTER

PITTSBURGH, June 7 -- The University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development (OCD) will honor the late Allegheny County Commissioner Tom Foerster, and his long-time commitment to children and family issues, by dedicating its Family Support Training and Resource Center in Foerster's name on Tuesday, June 13, at 4:30 p.m.

The ceremony will take place at Pitt's OCD East, 5600 Penn Avenue (corner of Penn and Negley Avenues), Suite 208, in East Liberty. Members of families whose lives were touched by Foerster's involvement will be on hand, as well as community and state agency representatives, and Mrs. Georgeann Foerster.

Pitt is a major player in family support—this Training and Resource Center provides instruction, guidance, materials and technical assistance for all 30 Allegheny County Family Support Centers. Families use these centers to partner with the staff to find the community resources they need to raise healthy, responsible, and productive children.

"Tom Foerster was an early and unparalleled champion of the family support movement," said Kathryn Rudy, OCD Director of Community Relations. "He recognized the importance of strong parent involvement, parent education, and strength-based partnerships between families and the entire family support network, including the community, and our Office of Child Development."

Pitt's OCD East also provides education programs, collaboration, community outreach projects, and parent advocacy, as well as meeting space for parent and community groups.

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