---

Institute awarded 1/2-million-dollar endowment

---

By Shirley Melikian Armbruster

The Institute for the Study of Children and Families is the recipient of a $502,727 grant to help it develop its capabilities to collect data and conduct research on pressing issues impacting children and families in the region.

The three-year grant from the California Endowment, the state's largest health foundation, marks the start of a major commitment on the part of the university to collect and disseminate the kind of information that local agencies need in their work to help children and families, said Sal Montana, institute director.

"This will allow Fresno State to play a more active role in issues in our communities, which is consistent with the desire of President Welty to be an interactive university within our region," said Montana.

Montana said the grant, in particular, will enable the institute to research and analyze health and social issues involving children of the region and publish reports designed to assist private, nonprofit agencies with their delivery of services.

Montana credited Fresno State Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. J. Michael Ortiz and Dr. Benjamin Cuellar, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, with providing assistance and start-up resources for the institute.

The Institute for the Study of Children and Families, established in September 2000, serves as a universitywide research and development center to help cultivate valid and reliable information, conduct research, perform data analysis, create innovative ideas and provide an objective perspective on the needs of children and youth living in the San Joaquin Valley.

Its mission is to improve and promote the economic condition, health status, educational opportunity and social development of children, youth and their families throughout the central San Joaquin Valley.

"Through this grant the institute will be able to establish itself as a valuable resource for information that can better inform providers about the health and social service needs of the San Joaquin Valley's culturally and ethnically diverse families," said Larry Gonzales, program officer with The California Endowment. "The Endowment is pleased to grant these funds that will provide underserved communities with the tools to impact public policy, advocate for change and create pathways to health."

Back to University Journal, 1/21/02 Issue