For Immediate Release January 17, 1995

For more information contact:
Jacqueline Smaga Tel: (203) 481-1152

THE MICHAEL BOLTON FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOR CHILD ABUSE / DEVELOPS INITIATIVE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE YALE CHILD STUDY CENTER TO WORK WITH HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Two-time Grammy-Award winning singer songwriter, Michael Bolton, who serves as Honorary Chairman of The National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse (NCPCA), announced the launching of a national bus poster campaign targeted at child abuse. The campaign, sponsored by The Michael Bolton Foundation and TDI, aims to educate the public about child abuse and its prevention. Michael has played an active role nationally in promoting NCPCA's positive parenting messages for television, radio, and print. "Primary prevention is vitally important. Reaching the public with messages to increase understanding about this subject is a top priority for me", said Bolton.

Beginning January 15th, transit cards will appear in more than 5,200 buses for 30 - 60 days in 40 major cities throughout the United States. The goal of the messages is to alert the public that child abuse is still one of the most serious problems facing families in our country. The companion piece to the interior bus ads is a large message created by American artist, Larry Rivers, on the outside of the buses that urges the public to "recognize child abuse."

Two separate messages are available for distribution to the municipal buses. The first message states that "It shouldn't hurt to be a child - prevent child abuse now." The second transit card invites the reader to "Join me in the fight against child abuse." Both displays feature Michael Bolton's familiar face, along with NCPCA's toll-free phone number, 1-800-55-NCPCA. Readers of the messages are encourage to call the number to receive further information 0on child abuse prevention.

Additionally, The Michael Bolton Foundation recently developed a major initiative aimed at assisting homeless women and their children back into the community. In collaboration with the Family Support Services at the Yale Child Study Center and LifeHaven, a homeless shelter for women and children in New Haven, the Foundation has created the position of "family support worker" to work with homeless families. The mothers and children selected for referral to the program will be identified as requiring intensive case management and supportive services in order to live in the community and will have experienced at least two previous shelter placements. These multiple placements are seen as indicators of chronic family problems and the need for extended service involvement.

This program was developed in response to the critical need of homeless mothers and children for support and assistance in order to move from a temporary shelter to an independent household. With financial constraints limiting the time women and children are able to remain in shelter facilities, many of the problems which confront these families may only be partially resolved during their stay. Through the development of a working relationship with family members, the Family Support Worker helps families to identify their still unmet needs, builds upon their strengths and assists them to access the appropriate health, mental health, housing, educational and other services which they require.

"This program is designed to promote a sense of competency and self-esteem for women who have had serious difficulty maintaining a safe, nurturing environment for themselves and their children. The Family Support Program is committed to supporting vulnerable mothers and children to remain together in the community and helping them to make the most appropriate use of the resources that the community has to offer", said Jean Adnopoz, Associate Professor/Coordinator, Community Child Development Programs, Family Support Services, Yale Child Study Center.

Michael explains the importance of this pilot project: "The goal of this program is to provide the critically needed phase of transition and to break the cycle of homelessness. We hope to make a difference in the future of over 24 families served by this program during the coming year by helping them establish permanent homes in which the development of all family members can be supported and moved forward into leading productive, healthy lives. The problem of homelessness belongs to all of us - it is our collective responsibility to advocate for change. If successful, this program will serve as a model for replication in other agencies throughout the state and across the country."