03/12/10 Family Service of RI Kicks Off Providence Children's Initiative     Family Service of RI today formally kicked off Providence’s effort to bring the benefits of a national model to the city, a model that has improved educational and social outcomes for poor children and families in the City of New York. Family Service of RI CEO Margaret Holland McDuff called today “an important step in a long but critical journey to build brighter futures for children and families in Providence struggling with barriers such as poverty and educational and social service issues.” Swan Capris, director of Providence Children's Initiative The official name of the project was unveiled: Providence Children’s Initiative.  “We called it this because children are what this is all about,” she said.  “As we face the many challenges as we turn this dream to reality, we will remember that it’s not about the challenges, it’s not about ourselves--it’s about a better life for children in Providence and their families.” Providence Children’s Initiative is being guided by concepts from a model project known as the “Harlem Children’s Zone,” which has been called "one of the most ambitious social-service experiments of our time," by the New York Times.  President Barack Obama has hailed the success of the Harlem Children’s Zone and 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 preparing for the city’s application in response to the upcoming Department of Education request for proposals.  Family Service of RI obtained the support of elected officials, including Mayor David Cicilline, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressmen Patrick Kennedy and Jim Langevin, and Providence School Superintendent Thomas Brady and Providence Police Chief Colonel Dean Esserman; secured seed funding from The Rhode Island Foundation, the Textron Charitable Trust, and the Hasbro Children’s Fund; hired a full-time project director, Swan Capris; held several meetings of an informal project steering committee made up of other non-profits and local government representatives; and scheduled, in April, a training for a city delegation at the Harlem Children’s Zone Practitioners Institute in the City of New York. Details of the city’s plans will be developed in the months following the training. In statements provided for today’s press conference: “I am so pleased to see the leadership of Family Service of RI in bringing partners together for better results for kids in Providence,” said Providence Mayor David Cicilline. “They are exemplifying the vision and strategies laid out in my Children and Youth Cabinet. Providence Children’s Initiative builds upon the lessons of the Harlem Children’s’ Zone, reflecting the realities here in Providence.” “I commend Family Service and its partners for taking on this challenge,” said Congressman Jim Langevin. “Investing in and supporting the next generation of our capital city will not only set up our children for success, but also create thriving, dynamic neighborhoods that families will want to remain a part of for decades to come.” “The future success of our students is rooted in our ability as a community to provide high quality learning experiences in our schools, and necessary supports to children and families outside of the traditional school day,” said Providence Schools Superintendent Thomas M. Brady. “Our children deserve the opportunity to thrive in a community setting that makes them feel valued, safe, and confident. We support the development of Providence Children’s Initiative, and view it as a means to help create that opportunity.”     (end)