[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 22, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 22, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              RECOGNITION OF THE ZIP LOCK SERVICES PROGRAM

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the 
effective interagency group, Zip Lock Services, for its dedication to 
the enrichment of the lives of children and families in Yakima, WA.
  While at home over the January recess, I organized a meeting of over 
200 parents, teachers, administrators, and students. At this conference 
I listened carefully to the concerns and ideas of those in attendance. 
While I heard many varied and different suggestions, one theme was 
constant. Innovative and resourceful programs which educators and 
community members work hard to plan and execute deserve more 
recognition. I, therefore, promised to recognize, on a monthly basis, a 
school or school district program that is outstanding and innovative. 
The Zip Lock Services program is providing coordinated services and 
much needed assistance to children and families in the Yakima Valley 
and is worthy of such recognition.
  The goal of this program is to bring together school personnel and 
other service agencies together to provide needed services for children 
with behavior problems. Children and their families require a 
coordinated interagency plan to match identified needs with services. 
Regardless of whether the child is identified within the educational, 
social service, or mental health system, their needs must be met. Since 
no one system has enough resources to meet the needs of all children 
and families, a multisystem and multiagency response was needed. Thus, 
Zip Lock Services was created and has been successful for the last 8 
years.
  Zip Lock Services should continue to be promoted throughout 
Washington State, as well as the entire United States. Recognizing that 
a problem exists and taking the initiative to develop successful 
programs is the key to improving our education system. The Zip Lock 
Services program has been so successful because it started right where 
the solutions and real answers can be found--in the local 
community.

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