New Web Site Connects Parents, Kids with Illinois Resources

CHICAGO -- Illinois First Lady Lura Lynn Ryan today launched a special Internet site that parents and their children can share.

"Futures4Kids.org" is part of the state's Futures for Kids initiative, which coordinates policies, resources and programs for children in the areas of health, safety and education.

"Futures for Kids is about making our state more effective and efficient at serving the needs of children and teenagers," Mrs. Ryan said. "This site is designed to bring together all of the wonderful resources available to children and families in one location, in an easy to use format. I wish I had something like this available to me when I was raising my children."

The site includes information to help parents beginning with pregnancy through the teenage years. At each stage of development, users can choose one of three sub-sections:

• Healthy Futures provides guidance for such topics as nutrition, finding a doctor and paying for health care.
• Safe Futures provides information on childproofing your home, teaching kids about "stranger danger" and how to help them avoid violent situations.
• Bright Futures has ideas for keeping kids in school and building self-esteem

Each section is also filled with links to other sites where a childcare provider can find medical, safety and education assistance. The children and teens section provides an inside look into the Governor's Teen Summit. Last May, this event gathered nearly 100 teens from throughout Illinois to talk about how to keep their peers from using alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

A link to the site may also be found by going to the State of Illinois Home Page at www.state.il.us.