AMERICAN FAMILY, premiering on PBS in January 2002, is the first Latino drama ever to air on broadcast television. Created by Academy Award nominated director Gregory Nava (Selena), the series features an all-star cast of top Latino talent including Edward James Olmos, Raquel Welch and Esai Morales. Set in Los Angeles, the series chronicles the lives of the Gonzalez family, depicting, with humor and affection, their daily challenges and triumphs, and the bonds that hold them together.

Produced by El Norte Films and KCET/Hollywood, the 13-part AMERICAN FAMILY series will be supported by a national outreach campaign that will help local PBS stations build and sustain long-term relationships with Latino communities and organizations. AMERICAN FAMILY and its outreach campaign will bring public television media resources and opportunities to local Latino communities and organizations.

It will lay the groundwork for a meaningful partnership as a way to address local issues and present the perspectives of the Latino community. Through broadening the dialogue around family and community issues, AMERICAN FAMILY will give all Americans a new understanding about the vital contributions of diverse Latino cultures across America.

A vital component to the outreach will be the American Family Album. Everyone is part of a family and has treasured family stories to share. This engaging activity will provide opportunities for families and communities to explore their art, culture, history, and traditions. The American Family Album may become part of local festivals and events. Stations will be encouraged to invite local participation and showcase personal stories on their Web sites. Stations may also host daylong "Mi Familia" events to showcase the art, culture and traditions of Latin Americans through hands-on activities, music, performances, interactive online experiences, and community resources.

According to Monica Medina, Outreach Project Director for AMERICAN FAMILY, "This exciting new Latino drama is a step in the right direction for assuring that Latinos gain recognition and prominence in the media. As it will be airing on broadcast television, the series has great potential for tune-in and for developing a wide-reaching audience, well beyond the Latino community. This is a groundbreaking opportunity for Latino organizations and communities to partner with their local public television stations to increase awareness for the series and engage families in local activities," Medina said.

Outreach Extensions (OE) has been commissioned by PBS and CPB to spearhead the national outreach campaign. Founded nine years ago, OE is recognized for its innovative campaigns for public, cable, and network television. Campaign priorities for AMERICAN FAMILY focus on building stations' capacities to reach and serve Latino families, as well as on helping stations to create sustainable relationships with local Latino organizations.

On a national level, the campaign will forge relationships with Latino organizations, including MANA, A National Latina Organization to develop resources and support activities within local communities.

AMERICAN FAMILY is produced by El Norte Productions and KCET/Hollywood in association with The Greenblatt Janollari Studio and Fox Television Studios. Funding for the national outreach campaign is being provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and PBS. Copyright © 2001 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

For more information about the AMERICAN FAMILY outreach initiative, please contact Monica Medina, Project Director at E-mail: mmedina@kpbs.org; Phone: 619.594.7152 or contact outreach personnel at your local public television station.