CHICAGO, IL-May 24, 2005 - Jim Fannin, Zone Coach to today's superstar athletes and corporate executives, (www.zonecoach.com), today spoke at the Lifting Up: Together We Can Succeed! program sponsored by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) at the Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. Addressing an estimated audience of 400, Fannin presented a two-hour "Think Like A Champion" seminar to adolescents and young adults currently in the Illinois child welfare system. Participants learned specific skills and techniques that can lead to unlimited success in all of life's arenas-from school to careers to relationships. Along with Mr. Fannin's seminar, the program included clips from the PBS documentary "Aging Out," that profiles the lives of three young people who have reached an age where they are no longer cared for by the child welfare system.

"I was honored to be a part of such an important program that encourages adolescents and young adults to succeed in their life both personally and professionally," said Zone Coach, Jim Fannin. "It was rewarding to share proven tools and techniques from my S.C.O.R.E. Performance System to help further their success. I hope that in some way, my seminar will assist the participants in realizing their dreams."

Mac McEwen, Deputy Director of DCFS Performance Monitoring and Quality Assurance, who offered welcoming remarks, shared Mr. Fannin's enthusiasm. "We were thrilled to have Jim Fannin speak at our Lifting Up program," he said. "When young people 'age out' of the system, they are often left feeling alone and overwhelmed. The transition can bring uncertainty that can make facing the world an even more daunting task. By sharing his expertise and vast experience in achieving and sustaining the champion mindset, we believe that Jim Fannin has helped our youth in state care think in new ways about reaching their full potential."

For over 31 years, Mr. Fannin has been helping his clients attract the "Zone" mindset, the exact moment one performs with complete detachment from the possibility of failure. He trains them using his proprietary S.C.O.R.E.® Performance System, a collection of mental tools for preparing, adjusting and evaluating performance, in order to ensure that they reach this peak mental state. The acronym S.C.O.R.E®. represents the five major parts of the S.C.O.R.E.® System-Self-discipline, Concentration, Optimism, Relaxation and Enjoyment. This easy to learn success formula has been adopted by tens of thousands of people and has helped set records in eight professional sports and in over 30 industries.

About Jim Fannin
Jim Fannin, known as the ZoneCoach, is an author, consultant and mental coach for the world's top athletes and corporate executives. His clients have played at every major sports event, from Wimbledon to the Masters, the World Cup to the Super Bowl, the World Series to the NBA Playoffs, to boardrooms of major companies to classrooms in schools around the world. Some of his notable clients include Alex Rodriguez (NY Yankees), Mike Cameron (NY Mets), Carlos Delgado (Florida Marlins), PGA golfers, Charles Howell III, Luke Donald, Skip Kendall, Joe Durant, and Olympian, Dan O'Brien. He is the founder and creator of the S.C.O.R.E.® Performance System, the leading peak performance system that is used by these athletes and major corporations. Drawing from his 30 plus years of experience in sports, education and business, Mr. Fannin helps people from all walks of life become more successful by showing them how to attract the Zone mindset. For more information visit www.zonecoach.com.

About DCFS
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services provides child welfare services in Illinois. It is also the nation's largest state child welfare agency to earn accreditation from the Council on Accreditation for Children and Family Services (COA). The Department's organization includes the Divisions of Child Protection, Placement Permanency, Field Operations, Guardian & Advocacy, Clinical Practice & Professional Development, Service Intervention, Budget & Finance, Planning & Performance Management, and Communications.
The organization's goal is to make sure all Illinois children live in safe and loving homes. For more information visit www.state.il.us/dcfs.

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Diane Jackson
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
312-814-6847