Extension Launches New Website for Alabama Families

Normal, AL, February 23, 2004---Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Urban Affairs and New 
Nontraditional Programs unit at Alabama A&M University recently launched a new  Web site, “A Look at 
Alabama Families.” 

The site, www.aces.edu/urban/Family website, provides an in-depth look at the issues affecting Alabama 
families in the areas of consumer education and personal finance, demographics, divorce, domestic 
violence, employment, law, nature, grandparents raising grandchildren, homeland security, nutrition and 
health, pet care and youth. Program specialists, contractors and other communications staff supply 
current material to individuals and organizations with an interest in families, including nontraditional 
families. Nontraditional families include single parents, foster parents, grandparents or other relatives 
raising children as well as multiracial, same-sex and blended families from previous marriages.

The objectives of the site are to expand Extension’s outreach through technology-based programs and 
increase public access to information that strengthens family-centered communities.

"As part of the Urban Family Network, we see the family  Web site as a valuable educational outreach 
tool to aid in our efforts to expand services to diverse audiences across the state," said Extension 
Assistant Director Dr. Jannie Carter.

The Web site is not a new concept. In fact,  the idea and the challenge to create such a site came over a 
year ago from MU Extension, the outreach arm of the University of Missouri and Lincoln University. MU 
Extension launched a similar site called MissouriFamilies. “A Look at Alabama Families” is geared toward 
families in Alabama, although the information may be relevant to families around the world. 

Plans are being made to expand the site so that it becomes one of the main depositories of information 
for Alabama families. The ultimate goal is to make Extension synonymous with family outreach education. 

Site submissions are not just limited to Extension personnel. Material will be considered from a global 
audience with an interest in strengthening families or family-centered communities.

For more information, please contact site editor, Wendi Williams, at (256) 372-4953.