FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BankAtlantic, Florida's Most Convenient Bank, announced today that it is pleased to partner with Children's Services Council of Broward County in support of the upcoming "Best for Broward Babies Community Forum."
On Friday, April 8, 2011 Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County and the Broward County Human Services Department, Community Partnership Division will host the "Best for Broward Babies Community Forum" as a follow up to the 2008 Infant Mortality Call to Action. The "Best for Broward Babies" initiative aims to reduce the racial disparities in fetal and infant mortality rates amongst the African-American and Caribbean-American population of Broward County through education, access to resources, and support for women and men as they take on important parenting responsibilities.
"Findings from both the Medical Examiners and the Pediatric Autopsy Project, combined in a Pediatric Autopsy Registry are startling. Black babies are dying at more than double the rate of white babies, and 40% of fetal and infant deaths in Broward County are considered preventable," said Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, President and CEO of the Children's Services Council of Broward County. "But there is a brighter side to the findings and that is there are three distinct areas that will help improve fetal and infant mortality rates; educating women on maternal health, infection and social stress issues; creating safe sleep environments and providing SIDS education; and elevating the Father's involvement from conception and throughout the child's life. 'Best for Broward Babies Community Forum' is the best way to deliver these solutions and to begin getting this message out to the community."
Fittingly, the forum takes place in April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and is one of many activities comprising the "Broward AWARE! Protecting OUR Children" child abuse prevention awareness campaign. The issues targeted by the Best for Broward Babies Campaign often fall within the parameters of Child abuse and neglect. Broward AWARE! will culminate with a Family Fun and Resource Day on Saturday April 9th, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rev, Samuel Delevoe Park, 2520 Sistrunk Blvd, in Ft. Lauderdale.
The "Best for Broward Babies Community Forum" is open to the public. It will be held on Friday, April 8, 2011 from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Shamara Martinez, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Infant Mortality Project Assistant at (954) 765-0550 ext. 303, email SMartinez@HMHBBroward.org or visit .
"Community interaction is key to the 'Best for Broward Babies' (the "b4Bb") success! In addition to training 100 Peer Educators of business, faith-based and community leaders, b4Bb program managers at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward County seek to partner with local businesses in and around the Greater Fort Lauderdale Community," commented Marcia Barry-Smith, Executive Director of the BankAtlantic Foundation. "We are all one community. Please show your support for the 'Best for Broward Babies' mission by contacting them today."
About the Children's Services Council of Broward County: The Children's Services Council of Broward County (the "CSC") focus is Broward's children. Created by the voters in September, 2000 we provide leadership, advocacy, and funding for services for and on behalf of children. Over 100 CSC programs are delivered by "provider" agencies that have clearly defined goals and outcomes and are regularly monitored for quality and performance. The CSC funds programs that have been proven to work. On average, the CSC gets less than 2 cents of every dollar paid in property taxes, which fund a wide variety of programs designed to help children lead a healthy, safe and productive life. And that, of course, makes a difference for all residents of Broward County. For additional information, please visit
About BankAtlantic: BankAtlantic, Florida's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the largest financial institutions headquartered in Florida. BankAtlantic was rated as having the "Highest in Customer Satisfaction in Florida for Retail Banking" based on the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Retail Banking Satisfaction Study™. Via its broad network of community branches and conveniently located ATMs, BankAtlantic provides a full line of personal, small business and commercial banking products and services. BankAtlantic is open 7 days a week and offers extended weekday hours, Online Banking & Bill Pay, a 7-Day Customer Service Center, Change Exchange coin counters, as well as retail and business checking accounts. Member FDIC. For further information, please visit www.BankAtlantic.com
BankAtlantic Bancorp (NYSE:BBX) is a bank holding company and the parent company of BankAtlantic. For further information, please visit: www.BankAtlanticBancorp.com
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Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. The Company cautions that the foregoing factors are not exclusive. Further, BankAtlantic received the highest numerical score among retail banks in Florida in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Retail Banking Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 47,673 total responses measuring 9 providers in Florida and measures opinions of consumers with their primary banking provider. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January 2010. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
CONTACT: CSC Broward Media contact: Andrew Leone (954) 377-1119 Email: aleone@cscbroward.org BankAtlantic Contact Info: Sharon Lyn, V.P. Media Relations: 954-940-6383 Email: CorpComm@BankAtlanticBancorp.com BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc. Contact Info: Leo Hinkley, Media and Investor Relations Officer (954) 940-5300 Email: InvestorRelations@BankAtlanticBancorp.com