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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<a name="_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:48.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><img width="148" height="148" style="width:1.5416in;height:1.5416in" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.png@01DAD123.223B1990" alt="A close up of a sign
Description automatically generated"></span></b></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:48.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:48.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">NEWS RELEASE</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">For Immediate Release Date: 07/08/2024</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Contact: Public Information Office Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919)
560-0020</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:2.5in;text-indent:.5in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">E-mail: </span></b></span><a href="mailto:publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">publicinformationoffice@dconc.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"> </span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">County Invites Residents to Attend Community Forums for RYSE Assessment Center<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Sessions to be held July 30 & August 13 </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Durham, N.C. –
</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Residents are encouraged to participate in a pair of Community Forums
to introduce the new Durham County Resources for Youth Success & Empowerment (RYSE) Assessment Center. The two sessions will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. inside the Durham County Main Library’s auditorium, located at 300 N. Roxboro St., on Tuesday, July
30, 2024, and Tuesday, August 13.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">These informative and engaging community forums will provide community members a chance
to learn about the new program and its benefits to the Durham County community. Participants will get a firsthand perspective from RYSE Assessment Center staff, be able to ask questions, and share their thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">Residents may also submit questions in advance for staff to answer during the forum
</span></span><a href="https://form.jotform.com/241575434941056"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">here</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in">.
Spanish translation will be on site for the July 30 session.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none">The RYSE Assessment Center, located at 2432 Broad St., provides a non-threatening,
inclusive atmosphere for parents who are simply looking for information for their youth who are exhibiting social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. It is a community-focused program that connects youth and their families to a plethora of resources in Durham
County.</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none">“These forums will provide an opportunity for the community to come together
to not only learn about who we are and what we offer, but also to provide us feedback and information on how we can support young people and their caregivers as well as build bridges across Durham,” said Jennifer McRant, Program Manager RYSE Assessment Center.</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none">Youth ages 10 to 17 and their families will have the opportunity to connect
and work with a case manager to create a plan that aids their growth and meets their individual needs. The Assessment Center also includes a 90-to-120-day diversion program that connects at-risk youth to needed resources to reduce their contact with the criminal
legal system. Both programs at the center are voluntary and cost-free. The center is not a service provider, but a resource hub for Durham County residents to collaborate with Durham programs and organizations.</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none">For more information about the RYSE Assessment Center Advisory Board
or RYSE Assessment Center, please contact </span></span><a href="mailto:RYSE@dconc.gov"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none">RYSE@dconc.gov</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"></span></a><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none">.
</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;text-align:center;line-height:normal;background:white">
<span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;mso-ligatures:none">###</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk171322342"></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next LT Pro",sans-serif;color:#201F1E;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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