New Web site provides information "clearinghouse" for those helping families and children

Assisting parents and children in crisis can bechallenging, but a new Web site launched by the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Social Work should make it easier for communities and professionals to help strengthen families.

The North Carolina Clearinghouse on Family and Child Well-being (www.clearinghousenc.org) is run by the School's Family and Children's
Resource Program. It connects individuals and North Carolina agencies,schools, courts and human services providers with training opportunities and information they need to prevent and respond to child maltreatment and family violence.

"Before, there were 20 different places one had to look to find available training," said Cathy Purvis, advisory committee member and
director of Children's Advocacy Centers of North Carolina. "Now there is a centralized source for this information."

The Clearinghouse is the product of statewide collaboration. The Governor's Crime Commission awarded the School of Social Work a grant to create the site. Agencies on its 23-member advisory committee range from the N.C. Division of Public Health to local police departments.

The Web site features a searchable calendar of training opportunities for the general public and professionals, where users can find courses on subjects ranging from autism to domestic violence prevention. It also lists relevant publications, agencies, community groups and links to state Web sites and databases on children and families.

"We hope information from the Clearinghouse will add to community conversations about how to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families," said Tiffany Price, the project coordinator for the site and a clinical instructor and education specialist in the School of Social Work's Family and Children's Resource Program.

By maximizing resources and streamlining training opportunities, the Clearinghouse gives North Carolina professionals, communities and
families open access to knowledge. "Our purpose is to help build strong families," Purvis said.

First Scholarship Fund Partners With Agassiz Village

CARY, NC (April 10, 2008) -- First Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization providing college scholarships to low income teens, is excited to announce a partnership with Agassiz Village, a unique non-profit summer camp in Poland, Maine catering to children from racially, economically, and socially diverse backgrounds. First Scholarship Fund will provide five scholarships to low income students from the Boston area to attend summer camp at Agassiz Village. Funding for these summer camp scholarships, including transportation, has been donated by Agassiz Village. Each of these students will then receive up to a $1,000 college or university scholarship upon graduation from high school.

“Agassiz Village and First Scholarship Fund are both dedicated to the mission of motivating and inspiring all students to complete their high school education,” says Rebecca Funk, President of First Scholarship Fund. “With this partnership, we can directly impact the lives of teens at the highest risk for dropping out by giving them a positive experience at summer camp and giving them the motivation of a guaranteed college scholarship.”

The drop-out rate among American high school students is alarming and organizations such as First Scholarship Fund and Agassiz Village are committed to turning the tide in our public schools. By combining the positive experience of summer camp with the pride of earning a college scholarship at a young age, low income students will be inspired and motivated to stay in school.

"This partnership is not only an opportunity to encourage our campers to shoot for higher educational goals, but also for them to know they are attainable,” said Lisa Gillis, Executive Director of Agassiz Village.

Eligible students are between the ages of 12 and 15, attend public school, qualify for reduced or free school lunch, and must submit a completed application to First Scholarship Fund by May 9. Once applications are received First Scholarship Fund will choose five students who will receive a free summer camp experience at Agassiz Village and are guaranteed a college scholarship from First Scholarship Fund upon high school graduation.

About First Scholarship Fund

First Scholarship Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Cary, North Carolina, dedicated to increasing graduation rates from our nation's public high schools and addressing inequalities in the education system through a unique scholarship program. First Scholarship Fund provides underprivileged and at-risk teenagers with opportunities to attend summer camps and to also receive a guaranteed college scholarship. To learn more or donate visit www.FirstScholarshipFund.org.

About Agassiz Village

Agassiz Village offers children the opportunity, in a village environment, to develop and practice leadership and life skills that will enhance their ability to be successful and happy in all areas of their lives. They strive to help children develop to their fullest potential and identify their own gifts, interests, and strengths, by exposing them to new skills, experiences, and possibilities in a positive and fun setting. To learn more or donate visit www.AgassizVillage.com.