For Immediate Release
March 05, 2003

Contact:
Erin O'Connor Jones
207-874-1175
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115
E-mail: oconnorjones@youthalternatives.org
Web Site: http://www.youthalternatives.org

Lucky Hollander, one of Maine's leading child welfare advocates, and others from Youth Alternatives are attending the annual conference of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) in Washington D.C. this week and are available for media interviews re: child welfare issues in Maine.

In addition, Hollander, YA's vice president of advocacy and prevention services, will lead other Maine child welfare advocates for visits with the Maine Congressional Delegation on Thursday (March 5).

Hollander also has reviewed and is prepared to discuss recently released CWLA data re: the current state of the nation's child protection system. The data includes fact sheets on the well-being of children in each state, including Maine, and trends in child fatalities.

Also attending the conference from Youth Alternatives are President Michael J. Tarpinian and Executive Vice President Gloria Melnick. Tarpinian was recently named to a 10-member review panel to advise Bishop Gerry on sexual abuse complaints against Maine priests.

Please contact Erin O'Connor Jones, YA's VP of communications, to arrange interviews - (207) 874-1175, oconnorjones@youthalternatives.org.

Background
Established in 1920, the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) is the nation's oldest and largest membership-based child welfare organization. CWLA strives to advance national standards of excellence and sound public policies on behalf of the three million abused, neglected, and vulnerable children served by 1,200 public and nonprofit member agencies, including Youth Alternatives.

Youth Alternatives is a nationally accredited provider of services to children, youth and families throughout Maine. Headquartered at 400 Congress St. in Portland, the nonprofit organization serves more than 6,000 children, youth and family members each year across the state, providing a full range of services, from prevention of child abuse and neglect to intensive intervention and safe-haven homes for youth.

YA clients include survivors of abuse and neglect, whether physical, emotional or sexual; parents in need of support and education; children and youth at risk for homelessness or criminal behavior; and/or families at risk of having a child removed from their homes.

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