Pitt to Cosponsor 14th Annual Family Support Conference

PITTSBURGH-What does the state of a child's family, school system, and overall community have to do with that child's success in school? This and other child-related issues will be explored at the 14th Annual Family Support Conference May 16 and 17 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel, 1000 Penn Ave., Downtown.

The theme of this year's event is Everybody Ready = School Success. Attendees will hear presentations on national trends and challenges behind the family support movement-a concept that encourages families to build on their own strengths, using community resources. Allegheny County families can do that with the help of 32 family-support centers located throughout the county.

Keynote speakers and the titles and times of their presentations include:

May 16 "Family Development Credential: A Strategy for System Change"

12:15 p.m. Evelyn Harris, director of New York's Department of State,

Division of Community Services;

May 17 "Raising Ready Kids While Keeping Parenting Fun"

9:30 a.m. Paul Gasser, marriage and family therapist and instructor at the University. of Wisconsin at Platteville;

10:30 a.m. "Making the Connections for Terrific Transitions"

Lynn Amwake, program specialist at the SERVE Center, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and

1 p.m. "You Can Do It! It's Up to You to Make the Difference!"

Evelyn Harris

Afternoon discussions are scheduled May 16 on parent leadership, advocacy, and other topics. On May 17, attendees can choose from 28 various workshops on topics ranging from the effect of violence on children to helping them develop social and emotional skills.

Admission for each day is $75. To register, call 412-244-5358. Event cosponsors include Pitt's Office of Child Development, School of Education, and School of Social Work; Allegheny County's Department of Human Services, Executive's Office, and Family Support Policy Board; Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; The Heinz Endowments; and the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children.

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