September 13, 2006

 
LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama this week received a $493,614 federal grant from the Department of Justice to enhance its community outreach and partnership activities in Sumter County. With the funding provided, UWA will implement projects targeting parents and children in the area, working to keep parents involved in their children’s education. U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science, was instrumental in securing this funding during the fiscal year 2006 appropriations process.

“The University of West Alabama is committed to addressing the educational, social, cultural and economic issues of the Black Belt region,” said Dr. Richard Holland, UWA President. “We believe this funding will enhance the University’s ability to make a difference in the lives of parents and children throughout the region by providing them with the resources and education necessary to overcome the many problems facing them.” 

UWA will help establish a Rendering Every Adult and Child Help (REACH) parent and student resource center in Livingston, in partnership with several other state and local organizations. The center’s goal is to encourage parental participation in children’s education and decision-making process. The University will provide technology, materials and staff for the center, and UWA will also be instrumental in providing youth violence prevention seminars, training programs and information to improve parent-child relationships and positive behavior. 

In addition, UWA will launch an on-campus resource center to provide information, education, training and support for parents and students, while providing technical assistance and training to the REACH community education center.

“Education and training programs are necessary to improve the lives of Alabamians struggling to make ends meet,” said Senator Shelby. “This program will not only help educate parents and students to improve their future job potential, but will also work to enrich relationships, which are the cornerstone of a strong family. I am confident that this program will allow parents and students alike to meet their potential both professionally and within the family.”

UWA will also use the funding to purchase two finger-printing screening machines so that students and faculty can be cleared to work in these programs. The Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 states that all teacher education and nursing students must be finger-printed. These machines will provide for a quicker turnaround on finger-printing reporting and personnel clearance. One of the new machines will be housed at the Livingston Police Department, and the other will be used as a portable unit at the University’s 13 area partnership schools.