May 17, 2004

Three-part conference focuses on poverty

by Yolanda Shelton

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Teachers, family literacy advocates, social workers and the general public are invited to the first in a three-part series at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on understanding poverty.

The inaugural session, "A Framework for Understanding Poverty," will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, in the SIUC Student Center. The $45 cost covers the seminar, a continental breakfast, course book and six professional development credits. To guarantee a seat, register before June 8.

O. Raye Adkins, the conference's presenter, will cover 10 key points in understanding poverty, understanding cultural language and stories, human cognitive development, "hidden rules," discipline interventions, resources and case studies.

Sign up through the SIUC Division of Continuing Education at 618/536-7751 or online at http://www.dce.siu.edu.

Sponsors include SIUC, the Southern Illinois Early Childhood Council in collaboration with Southern Region Early Childhood Program, Rend Lake College, John A. Logan College and Tri-County Even Start.

Attendance at the first session is required of those who wish to attend the series' two successive workshops.