Dec. 6, 2004 — The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Friday, at Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Hotel to release the fifth annual U.S.V.I. KIDS COUNT report 'Our Children Now! Mapping a Road to Success.'
The report has important information on children’s well-being in several areas, including poverty levels, school dropout levels, economic status and family composition. This year’s report also continues a special focus on the importance of quality early child care for the Virgin Islands.
Annual 'Silverbells and Cockleshells Awards' and grants will be presented to eleven organizations and individuals who are working to enhance the lives of children and families in the USVI.
Copies of the KIDS COUNT report will be distributed at the press conference, and CFVI officials will discuss its implications. Members of the media and local children and family advocacy groups are invited to the press conference to ask questions and discuss the findings.
• Keynote speaker, Judy Langford from the national Center for Study of Social Policy. The center strives to help states and localities implement creative and effective strategies that strengthen disadvantaged communities and families and ensure that children grow up healthy, safe, successful in school, and ready for productive adulthood.
• $6,500 in awards to 11 community organizations and individuals.
• CFVI introduces plans for a new Foundation initiative, The Family Connection, a comprehensive learning center offering year-round care for economically and socially disadvantaged children and their families in the Virgin Islands and a state-of-the-art professional training center and resource library for professionals serving children youth and families.

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