On October 17, 2001, the Urban Family Network hosted the 3rd Annual Family Conference with nearly 200 participants in attendance. Held in downtown Huntsville at the Hilton Hotel, conference agenda items addressed the theme "Unlocking and Sharing Resources for Urban Families." The keynote address "Your Roots Control Your Fruits," was delivered by Dr. Romando James, family and youth specialist with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service in South Carolina.
A panel discussion facilitated a heightened awareness of community resources in the areas of education, law, media, and health. Panelists included Dr. Rena Lott, assistant professor, Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Alabama A&M University (AAMU); Attorney Sandy Robinson III; Mr. Tharon Honeycutt, president and general manager of WHNT-Channel 19 News; and Celia Lloyd-Turney, M.D., Central North Alabama Health Services, Huntsville, Alabama.
Other presenters identified valuable community resources to promote employment, health, elder care, and parenting. Miriam Gaines, Alabama Department of Public Health, provided a nutrition update. Dr. Wilma Ruffin, family and human development specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), discussed approaches to nontraditional parenting through the RAINBOWS program. Nancy Robertson, director, Division on Area of Aging for Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG), shared resources for the elderly. Mr. Oliver Dillard, ACES, discussed resources available to support e-learning. Mrs. Rosalie Lane, workforce preparation and urban CRD specialist at ACES, introduced the Workforce Education and Career Assistance Network For You (WECAN4U) Web site as an employment and workforce preparation tool. And, Dr. Cynthia Smith, professor with the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at AAMU, discussed technology, dress and success.
The Family Conference is held each year during the 3rd week of October and is designed to build the competency of professionals in the areas of effective parenting strategies, nutrition and health, elder care, domestic violence, legal issues, economics and finance, and workforce preparation for the purpose of conducting community-based, interdisciplinary educational programs that are sensitive to the needs of urban families, children and individuals.