UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The first anniversary of September 11 brings a rising tide of memorials and media recognitions of the tragic events. Community remembrances, TV coverage and newspaper accounts can overwhelm children during this time, and troubling feelings from a year ago may resurface. It's important for parents to know the warning signs that their children may need help in coping.

Daniel Perkins, Penn State associate professor of agricultural and extension education, is available to talk about the impact of this anniversary, and how parents can help children cope. He is policy director of Penn State Cooperative Extension's Children, Youth, and Families are Resilient Initiative and an extension specialist in Family and Youth Resiliency.

Perkins is qualified to talk about:

• Specific warning signs of children in distress
• Strategies for helping children handle the building tension as the anniversary approaches
• Suggestions for positive actions parents can employ to build children's confidence

He also maintains a Family and Youth Resiliency and Policy Web site at http://agexted.cas.psu.edu/fcs/dp/fyrp.html, which offers other resources on dealing with grief and loss, as well as links to such resources as "Helping Children Deal with Tragedy," "Community Youth Development" and the monthly Resiliency and Thriving in Families and Youth Newsletter.

You can reach Dr. Perkins by phone at 814-865-6988 or by e-mail at dfp102@psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Daniel Perkins at 814-865-6988 or by e-mail at dfp102@psu.edu.

Contact: Gary Abdullah gxa2@psu.edu 814-863-2708 814-863-9877 fax