Online project caters to families with young children

The Early Childhood Center at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community has been hard at work providing resources and assistance for families with children 1 to 5 years old. Through a partnership with the Department of Health, a family information and resources section was added to the Early Childhood Center Web site.\nNow IU’s educators and young families can see what events and research projects are available in Bloomington.\nThe Early Childhood Center works to help organizations, agencies and families build a strong, healthy early-childhood environment. With the addition of a Web site, the center hopes to help strengthen family communities.\nDirector and Research Associate Michael Conn-Powers said before the Web site was available, “there was no common information source about events and research projects in the state of Indiana. The Web site started as an online events calendar in which anyone could post their events and resources. It has evolved into a meeting place for families across the state.” \nThe Web site, available at http://earlychildhoodmeetingplace.indiana.edu/, provides resources for career opportunities, agencies, events, resources and family information. \nAnyone or any community can provide resources by setting up their own free account on the site, which allows them to post their services or events within their community. Organizations and agencies can also post informational materials like posters, bookmarks and fliers.\nCathy Beard, a professional associate at the Early Childhood Center, helps in marketing the Web site. She said the newly evolving family information section is “a two-pronged effort.”\n“Agencies that service families with young children set up their own accounts and post information on their Web site,” which can be seen on the events calendar, she said. “The Web site is statewide but also covers specific counties.”\nIn the newly added family information and resources section of the site, parents are able to select which county they live in and find resources for that county.\nConn-Powers said public awareness is a main concern right now with the Web site. The center is sending news releases and informational materials to media outlets around the state. \nFor more information about the Early Childhood Meeting Place Web site, \ne-mail the Early Childhood Center.