03/09/10 Developing a Promise Neighborhood for Providence's Children    Family Service of RI is kicking off Providence’s effort to create a “promise neighborhood,” an initiative based on a program in New York that has resulted in improved educational and health outcomes for poor children and their families. President Barack Obama, even before being elected president, championed replicating the “Harlem Children’s Zone” in cities across the nation. The Harlem Children’s Zone’s results were called “stunning” in a December 2009 report by CBS’s “60 Minutes” Following up on the president’s campaign promise, a U.S. Department of Education “request for proposals” for planning dollars for what are being called “promise neighborhoods” is expected to be released soon.  Family Service of RI, a Providence-based human service non-profit, has been working for approximately a year establishing the foundation for the city’s application.  “Providence has a strong platform of child well being investments we can build on that makes us competitive for ‘promise neighborhoods’ funding,” said Margaret Holland McDuff, Family Service of RI’s CEO. “Working with our partners, we’ll be doing everything possible to ensure Providence is a ‘promise neighborhoods’ site.” Family Service of RI secured support from Providence Mayor David Cicilline and other local leaders as well as the state’s federal delegation; obtained local foundation dollars to hire a full-time project director and pay for training in the Harlem Children’s Zone model; and held several meetings of an informal project steering committee made up of other non-profits and local government representatives. “We’re at the consensus building, data gathering and training stage currently,” said Ms. Holland McDuff.  She noted that a delegation from the city will attend training at the Harlem Children’s Zone in April.  Details of the city’s plans will be developed in the months following the training. The agency is hosting a formal kickoff of the project on Friday, March 12, 9 a.m. at the agency’s 134 Thurbers Avenue, Providence location. Providence’s application is expected to be the sole one for Rhode Island, (end)