CONTACT:

Jennifer Gallo, Community Public Relations Coordinator
302-479-1691

For Immediate Release: March 15, 2005

"INSPIRING CHILDREN" TO BE FOCUS OF CONFERENCE

(March 15, 2005) - - Close to 200 providers of school-age care throughout Delaware will gather at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall on Saturday, March 19 to explore ways to inspire and be positive role models for children. They’ll be attending the Eleventh Annual School-Age Care Conference, sponsored by The Family & Workplace Connection (FWC).

This year’s conference theme is Spark the Spirit, Inspire a Child. Workshops will include ways to inspire children’s creativity, teach them to care about other living things, live healthy lifestyles, handle stress, show empathy, and get excited about learning. Keynote speaker will be Bob Love, former Chicago Bull and three-time NBA All-Star.

Bob Love scored 12,263 points in his career. He was selected to receive the highest award from the NBA: the Oscar Robertson Leadership Award, and had his jersey retired in 1994. Despite all of his success as an athlete, Mr. Love was unable to speak without stuttering. After retiring from sports, Mr. Love’s stuttering hindered his efforts to find meaningful employment and he had to resort to washing dishes. He never gave up on his dream to speak without stuttering and with the help of a speech therapist worked to overcome his challenge. As a result, Bob is now the Community Relations Director for the Chicago Bulls.

The conference features more than 30 workshops covering a variety of topics. They include activity-oriented sessions focusing on science, sign language, and games, as well as workshops on topics such as improving indoor living conditions, helping children handle bullies effectively, and combatting obesity among middle school children.

According to national statistics, about 75% of school-age children have working parents. Job responsibilities make it difficult or impossible for parents to be with their children after school, during school vacations, and all the other times when school and work schedules are in conflict. Some of these youngsters are in school-age programs. Others receive care before and after school by a parent working non-conventional hours, or by another relative. It is estimated that 44% of children with working parents do not have regular after-school care. As part of the Delaware Child Care Capacity-Building Program, The Family & Workplace Connection seeks to improve the supply and quality of school-age programs in Delaware. The annual School-Age Conference is also held as part of the Capacity-Building Program, which FWC manages through a contract with Delaware Health and Social Services’ Division of Social Services.

School-age care can be provided in schools, community centers, parks and recreation departments, youth service agencies, child care centers, religious institutions, and family child care homes. Quality programs allow the child to unwind, relax, explore and have fun in a safe, supervised setting. They offer a variety of activities in support of their educational day, complementing school curriculum and help school-age youngsters develop relationships with others. Good programs work collaboratively to see that children still have access to other community activities such as Scouts and sports practices.

The Family & Workplace Connection is a nonprofit regional dependent care resource and referral organization that provides programs and services that help people balance work and family.

Media are welcome to attend the following events:

Friday, March 18:
Reception featuring keynote speaker, Bob Love:
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Boys & Girls Club of Greater Newark, Rt. 40, Newark

Approximately 200 children from school-age programs throughout New Castle County and the City of Wilmington will be attendance. The children will have an opportunity to play basketball with Bob Love and the Newark High School All Star Boys and Girls Basketball Players. Bob Love will share his life story with the children in attendance. University of Delaware senior and CAA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, Tiara Malcolm will also participate in this event.

Conference Saturday, March 19 at Clayton Hall.
The agenda is as follows:

7:30–8:30 am Registration
8:30–8:45 am Welcome
8:45–9:45 am Keynote Speaker (Bob Love)
10:00–12:00 Session 1 Workshops
12:00 –1:00 pm Lunch
1:00–2:15 pm Session 2 Workshops
2:30–3:45 pm Session 3 Workshops

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