Connect with us

Technology

EMPOWER Leads Foster Care Services for All Children and Families in the Metroplex East Region

Published

on

The Child Welfare Collaborative Begins Managing Foster Care in Nine North Texas Counties

DALLAS, March 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — EMPOWER, a nonprofit child welfare collaborative, now provides foster care case management, kinship and reunification services for all children and families in the Metroplex East region, after entering Stage II of the Community-Based Care (CBC) contract with the State of Texas on March 1, 2024. EMPOWER is led by Texas Family Initiative LLC (TFI) and is supported by local providers in North Texas, including CK Family Services, Jonathan’s Place, The Bair Foundation and Pathways Youth and Family Services. EMPOWER will serve as the lead agency for the nine-county area that includes Dallas, Collin, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Rockwall, Kaufman and Navarro counties.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to prepare for the final phase of CBC readiness and get ready to provide children and their families in the Metroplex East region with the most effective services to promote safety, permanency and overall well-being,” says Shirley Dwyer, Texas Family Initiative Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “We are thankful to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services for their loyal partnership in ensuring a seamless transition.” 

EMPOWER was awarded the CBC contract by the State of Texas in February 2023, and entered a multi-stage process to take over services for the region. Stage II is the phase of implementing and transforming the services and care provided to children and families in the nine-county region through February 29, 2028, the term of this contract.

CBC is an innovative approach to traditional foster care services because it utilizes local nonprofits to outsource out of home placement and case management services. Under CBC, a single entity is responsible for coordinating and delivering all child welfare services in a specific geographic area. The model allows for the CBC contractor to draw on existing community-based local resources and support to meet the unique and individual needs of children and their families. CBC’s goal is to have children placed in foster care close to their home so that they may thrive and remain connected to their family, friends, school and community. In order to promote family preservation and reunification, EMPOWER works with families to identify the root causes of their involvement with the child welfare system and provides the support needed to solve those issues. 

“Our team is committed to the safety and well-being of children and families in Metroplex East and we are dedicated to providing them with the best care available,” says Dr. Linda Garcia, Senior Vice President of EMPOWER. “We will also continue to educate our local communities on the crucial role foster parents play to fill the significant need for more foster homes.”

The Metroplex East contract is one of the largest CBC awards in U.S. history, and the fifth region in Texas to transition to CBC services. There are nearly 2,000 foster children in the Metroplex East region.

Since September 1, 2023, EMPOWER has provided placement services in the Metroplex East Region. During that time, all children referred by the State have been placed in a licensed placement and have not stayed in unlicensed child watch. For the first time in over five years, all children in the Metroplex East Region are placed in licensed placements.

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), from September 2021 to February 2022, on average there were 2,456 children in DFPS conservatorship in Texas’ Metroplex East region. Around 79% of those foster children were placed within the same Metroplex East region, and 37.8% were placed in their home county.

There are many local children in foster care in need of a safe, loving place to call home. To learn more about how individuals and families can help these children in need, please visit www.3empower.org.

EMPOWER:
EMPOWER is a unique partnership between Texas Family Initiative LLC, CK Family Services, Jonathan’s Place, Bair Foundation, Pathways Youth and Family Services that works together to serve some of our most vulnerable children and families. This partnership has almost 190 years of combined child welfare experience and will further our community’s pursuit of caring for our children and families with integrity and success. To learn more, please visit www.3EMPOWER.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison Chaney
allison@culverpr.com
214-352-5980

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/empower-leads-foster-care-services-for-all-children-and-families-in-the-metroplex-east-region-302077462.html

SOURCE EMPOWER

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

The Battery Show Asia 2025: Uniting Global Innovators in Hong Kong

Published

on

By

July 15-17, 2025 | AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Battery Show, organized by Informa Markets, is a globally recognized platform for cutting-edge battery technology, energy storage solutions and electric/hybrid vehicle (EV/HV) innovations. It is expanding its reach with the inaugural The Battery Show Asia 2025, which will take place from July 15-17, 2025, at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. This landmark event builds on the long-lasting success of The Battery Show in North America and Europe, highlighting the strategic importance of the Asian in the fast-evolving advanced battery, energy storage and e-mobility sectors. 

Over three days, The Battery Show Asia 2025 will feature 350+ exhibitors, attract over 15,000 industry professionals, and host 150+ expert speakers. The event will be a pivotal meeting ground for innovators, engineers, manufacturers, and thought leaders from Asia and around the world, offering a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and business development in this dynamic industry.

Hong Kong, strategically located within the Greater Bay Area (GBA), is an ideal venue for this prestigious event. With its world-class connectivity and business-friendly environment, Hong Kong offers unparalleled access to the vibrant and diverse markets of China and the broader Asia-Pacific region, making it the perfect location for industry professionals looking to expand their global business footprint, either into Asia or from Asia to the rest of world.

The Battery Show Asia 2025 will feature a comprehensive exhibition showcasing the latest advancements in battery technology, energy storage solutions, and EV/HV innovations. Complementing the exhibition will be a cutting-edge conference program addressing critical topics such as policy and regulation, advanced technology, hydrogen energy, emerging applications, and investment trends. The show will be co-located with Mobility Tech Asia and Data Center Asia, further enhancing its appeal and reach across interconnected sectors.

Attendees will have exclusive opportunities to engage with leading battery and component manufacturers, EV/HV producers, renewable energy experts, and influential decision-makers from across the globe. With a strong international presence, the event promises to foster meaningful connections and strategic partnerships, particularly for those looking to engage with China’s rapidly advancing technology sector.

A series of exclusive networking events, including VIP receptions, an all-day Open Tech Forum, and the premium TBSA/MTA 2025 Conference, will offer additional opportunities for deep engagement and collaboration. Whether you’re showcasing innovations, exploring market insights, or expanding your professional network, The Battery Show Asia 2025 is the essential event to drive your business forward.

Contact:
For more information or partnership and sales inquiries, please contact:
info@thebatteryshow.asia

About Informa Markets:
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate, and grow. Through our comprehensive portfolio of exhibitions, digital content, and services, we enable customers and partners to connect, discover new opportunities, and drive industry progress.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-battery-show-asia-2025-uniting-global-innovators-in-hong-kong-302254003.html

SOURCE Informa Markets Asia-The Battery Show Asia & Mobility Tech Asia

Continue Reading

Technology

Valmet to supply a new BCTMP line and an evaporator line to JK Paper Limited in India

Published

on

By

Valmet Oyj press release, September 20, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. EEST

ESPOO, Finland, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Valmet is to supply a new bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) line and a related evaporator line to JK Paper Limited’s Fort Songadh mill in India. The new BCTMP line will manufacture high-quality BCTMP pulp for lightweight coated board production. The start-up is scheduled for the end of 2025.

The order was included in Valmet’s orders received of the second quarter 2024. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

“The new BCTMP and evaporator line will play a crucial role in our production process, enabling us to meet increasing market demands while adhering to the highest quality and environmental responsibility standards. Valmet’s unique high-temperature (HT) BCTMP technology will allow us to achieve superior pulp quality and energy efficiency, ensuring that we remain competitive in the global marketplace,” says A.S. Mehta, President, JK Paper Limited.

“The BCTMP order from JK Paper marks a significant continuation of our cooperation. We are privileged that Valmet has been chosen to contribute to their ongoing success. Our advanced HT-BCTMP and evaporator line technologies will enhance their production capabilities and support their efforts to minimize environmental impact through energy-efficient and resource-saving solutions,” says Fredrik Willgottson, Vice President, Pulp & Energy, Asia Pacific, Valmet.

Technical details about the delivery

The 400 ADMT/d BCTMP line is based on Valmet’s HT-BCTMP technology for optimized impregnation, producing pulp with high bulk and low shive content at minimum energy consumption. The line will include all main process technology for chip washing, pre-steaming, PREX impregnation, HC refining, MC bleaching, HC bleaching, LC refining, screening, reject refining, steam separation, heat recovery, and pulp washing.

The delivery includes a Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) tube evaporator plant for handling the BCTMP plant liquor. It covers MVR evaporator effects, a tube concentrator, and a condensate treatment plant. The evaporator line includes Valmet’s patented Internal Condensate Treatment for producing cleaner condensate for recycling in the mill. The new line will have a design capacity of 180 tons of water per hour.

Information about JK Paper Limited

JK Paper Limited, an integrated pulp and paper plant, was established in 1962. The company is a leading Indian producer of office papers, coated papers, writing and printing papers, and high-end packaging boards. The company has three integrated Pulp and Paper Mills: Unit JKPM at Rayagada (Odisha), Unit CPM at Songadh (Gujarat), and Unit SPM at Kagaznagar, Telangana. The company’s installed capacity is around 800,000 tonnes per annum.

VALMET
Corporate Communications

For further information, please contact:
Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Director, India Region, Asia Pacific, Valmet, tel. +91 96540 69641
Fredrik Willgottson, Vice President, Pulp and Energy, Asia Pacific, Valmet, tel. +66 61384 7911

Valmet has a global customer base across various process industries. We are a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, and with our automation and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our more than 19,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. Valmet’s net sales in 2023 were approximately EUR 5.5 billion.

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.

Follow us on valmet.com | X | X (IR) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram |

Processing of personal data

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/valmet-oyj/r/valmet-to-supply-a-new-bctmp-line-and-an-evaporator-line-to-jk-paper-limited-in-india,c4040301

The following files are available for download:

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/valmet-to-supply-a-new-bctmp-line-and-an-evaporator-line-to-jk-paper-limited-in-india-302254006.html

Continue Reading

Technology

The Second “FROM ZIQUEJIE TERRACES TO THE WORLD” Global Farming Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning Conference Held

Published

on

By

LOUDI, China, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On September 12, the opening ceremony and keynote speeches of the Second “FROM ZIQUEJIE TERRACES TO THE WORLD” Global Farming Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning Conference were presented in Xinhua County, Loudi City, Hunan Province. Over 200 guests, including representatives from international organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), diplomats from terrace-cultivating countries like France and Peru, and domestic and international experts from the agriculture, culture, and tourism sectors, gathered to discuss key issues including the protection of global agricultural cultural heritage and the development of the green agricultural economy. Together, they explored ways to preserve and promote farming culture, showcasing Hunan’s unique approach to agricultural heritage protection and innovation, while contributing China’s solutions for the safeguarding of global agricultural cultural heritage.

During the opening ceremony, the Consensus on the Integrated Development of Terraces in Agriculture, Culture, and Tourism was released. The document promotes the understanding of the value of terraces, the protection of terrace ecosystems, the preservation of farming culture, the active promotion of agriculture, culture, and tourism integration, enhanced international exchange and cooperation, and the innovation of development models. The aim is to promote the effective protection and sustainable development of terraces globally, deepen the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism, build distinctive terrace-based industrial chains, enhance the overall competitiveness of terrace regions, and achieve ecological, economic, and social benefits for all.

Terraced fields exemplify the harmonious coexistence of human ingenuity and nature. They carry rich agricultural traditions and historical memories, and their value in preserving biodiversity, ensuring food security, and promoting regional economic development is immeasurable. The Ziquejie Terraces, recognized as both a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System and a World Heritage Irrigation Structure, are the product of the collective labor of the Miao, Yao, Dong, Han, and other ethnic groups throughout history. These terraces are a historical testament to the merging of mountain hunting cultures with rice farming cultures.

Looking ahead, Loudi City will further strengthen the protection of agricultural cultural heritage, promote cultural inheritance, and foster the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism. Through these efforts, it aims to provide concrete examples of “authentic protection, living use, and industrial integration” for the world.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2510688/FROM_ZIQUEJIE_TERRACES_TO_THE_WORLD.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-second-from-ziquejie-terraces-to-the-world-global-farming-culture-exchange-and-mutual-learning-conference-held-302254010.html

Continue Reading

Trending