To provide families and consumers with timely information, the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences has launched a Web-based magazine, with links to educational materials, articles and other information.

The first issue focused on helping children understand and deal with fears about the war in Iraq. Articles discussed how to talk with children about the war and how much television war coverage is too much for children.

“ The primary audience is parents and families, and it can certainly be used by professionals,” said Dr. Sandy Zaslow, head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. “It is an attempt to provide timely educational information and resources via the Internet.”

The idea for the project is to provide information to families in a news magazine format, Zaslow said. Past issues have been archived so the information will always be available.

Nancy Mays, a writer who serves as editor for the site, hopes to update the site weekly to focus on timely family issues. Faculty in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences provide information for the site, she said.

To learn more, visit the Web site
http://family-info.info.

— Natalie Hampton