NEWS RELEASE
March 15, 2000

March is Parenting Awareness Month

Michigan Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr., today announced that March is Parenting Awareness Month. Parenting Awareness Month is a statewide campaign to promote awareness, education, and resources-through state outreach and local efforts-emphasizing the importance of effective parenting in nurturing children to become healthy, caring and contributing citizens.

"With the recent shooting tragedy at Mt. Morris, we are reminded just how important effective parenting is," said Haveman. "Effective parenting requires hard work and patience. Parenting Awareness Month is a Michigan campaign to celebrate people raising children and promote resources to help with this important task."

"The heart of Michigan's Parenting Awareness Month campaign is local activity," said Parenting Awareness Month Coordinator Luanne Beaudry. "Communities throughout the state celebrate Parenting Awareness Month with parent fairs, conferences, local contests and a variety of other activities. They use the campaign to circulate resource lists and make parents aware of the education and support available to help with their important job of raising children."

Many communities have formed Parenting Awareness Month coalitions in an effort to bring diverse people and resources together, for a focused and systematic approach to increasing parenting education and involvement in the community.

Parenting Awareness Month organizer packets, posters, matching bookmarks and technical assistance are provided at no charge to involve communities in the campaign. Information, assistance and opportunities to get connected with local efforts are provided through Prevention Network at 1-800-968-4968. Additional Parenting Awareness Materials can be ordered at no charge through the Michigan Resource Center at 1-800-626-4636.

To find about local activities call 1-800-968-4968 for the name and telephone number of your local Parenting Awareness Month Key Contact.