The human side [Winter 2001]

G D H R EORGIA EPARTMENT OF UMAN ESOURCES u WINTER 2001-02
The mission of the Georgia Department of Human Resources is to assist Georgians in achieving healthy, independent and self-sufficient lives.

Protecting the public from bioterrorism

T he Spring 2001 issue of the Human Side reported on Public Health's new Office of Emergency Preparedness and its program of planning and training to help DHR staff respond to bioterrorism. After anthrax infected people in other states and hundreds of suspected anthrax samples started to arrive at the PH laboratory, we issued this statewide news release. See also "How to handle anthrax and other biological agent threats," on the DHR web page.
"The same public health system that protects us every day from outbreaks of dangerous infectious diseases is also our first defense against bioterrorism," says Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Division of Public Health (PH).
PH's staffing, planning, training, and improvement of communications systems to address bioterrorism specifically began with the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and increased over the past two years with the aid of a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
State PH works closely with Georgia's district and county health departments, hospitals, laboratories, emergency medical services, pharmacists, law enforcement agencies and others who can help alert authorities to suspicious cases of disease and help mobilize resources such as vaccines and medications if needed. PH staff analyze information from these sources, look for patterns, conduct investigations, operate a state-of-the-

art diagnostic laboratory that is backed up by the CDC's laboratories, and are prepared to work with district and county health departments, hospitals, and other public safety agencies to coordinate the response to an outbreak. PH also works closely with the CDC and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
Since September 11, PH has asked all medical care providers throughout Georgia to be on alert for unusual cases or clusters of diseases that might signal a bioterrorist attack. Because of this and increased public awareness of terrorist threats, more cases of disease are being investigated.
"I don't recommend that individuals stockpile antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (for anthrax) or that you take antibiotics if you have not been exposed to the disease," says Toomey. "This can cause diseaseresistant strains of other bacteria to develop in your body, can cause side effects, and can harm our ability to direct resources to an actual outbreak."
The United States has enough antibiotics to prevent the disease in two million persons exposed to anthrax, so preventive medicine can be transmitted rapidly to anyone who may be affected by the disease. Vaccination is not recommended, and the vaccine is not available to the general public. Anthrax is not contagious.
continued on page 5

2001 Photo contest winner
Charlene Ellis, secretary for the Columbus Public Health District, won first prize in the Georgia Public Health Association's 2001 photo contest, "Eye on the future," with this portrait of her daughter Ami Ellis and granddaughter Lacie Ellis-Pelt.
In this issue
Commssioner's corner ........pg.2 Cancer didn't stop her ........pg.3 Going for the gold ..............pg.3 Upgrading child care ..........pg.5 Refugees ..............................pg. 6 Who's news ........................pg.7 What's news .......................pg.8

The Human Side Winter 2001 1

Commissioner's Corner

A s we begin the new year I hope everyone has had a happy holiday season. Together we can make 2002 a very successful year for DHR.
I've been commissioner for approximately 100 days, as this newsletter goes to press. During this time I've been very impressed by our people and programs, and I am encouraged that we can work together to address the human needs for which our department is responsible.
I have had a chance to work alongside Oscar Hulett, an environmental health specialist for Jeff Davis County, so that I could see first hand one of the jobs we do. I hope to spend time with others in the same way, to get a better understanding of the important work each person in DHR does.
I am pleased with the leadership team we are putting together. Kate Pfirman is providing excellent leadership as deputy commissioner and chief operating officer. John Hurd just came on board as deputy commissioner for technology and chief information officer. I hope we'll

soon have a chief legal officer as well. I've been working with Reuben Lassetter, director of the Office of Human Resource Management and chair of my transition team, to facilitate this transition and plan for the future.
Our department has made some exciting accomplishments recently. For example, the Low Income Energy Assistance program has been redesigned by Joyce Hull in DFCS, with help from the Division of Aging Services. The Division of Public Health and its director, Kathleen Toomey have been recognized

How active are Georgians?
Not enough, says new report

O nly one in every four Georgians stays physically active enough to lower the risk of developing major health problems, according to a report released by the Division of Public Health and the Heart Association of Georgia. How Active are Georgians? combines research on physical activity rates and their

effect on health with strategies for promoting more active lifestyles.
"If all Georgians were active we could avoid thousands of premature deaths and save millions of dollars each year just in hospital costs," says Susan Bricker, M.D., M.P.H., a PH epidemiologist who is the major author of the report. "But it's not just a problem of motivation. Lack of safe places to walk, lack of convenient, affordable exercise facilities and other environmental factors
continued on page 4

nationally for their leadership in preparing for bioterrorism and other emergencies.
We have also met some challenges. We have been helping the Governor deal with the problems associated with the current downturn in the economy. The budget reductions have been difficult, and I appreciate the fine work done by Ken Jones and his Office of Planning and Budget Services, together with the other divisions and offices.
I am sure that working together we can reduce the impact of these cuts on the services we provide and on our department.
Although some press coverage of our services for people with mental retardation was disturbing, I appreciate the immediate response by the Karl Schwarzkopf, acting director of MHMRSA, to ensure that consumers and services are protected and that changes are made to improve monitoring.
On a personal note: All of us in DHR need to be mindful of each Georgian's responsibility for his or her own health and wellbeing. Some major causes of death and illness in our society are obesity, lack of exercise and smoking. I've made a personal commitment to participate in PH's Take Charge of Your Health program. With the help of Frances Cook, director of the Nutrition Section of the Family Health Branch, I've gone on the "commissioner's healthy eating and exercise plan."
You can find specific guidelines for designing your own program on the Public Health web page at http:// health.ga.us/programs/nutrition. I urge everyone to take advantage of this valuable resource.

2 The Human Side Winter 2001

Cancer didn't stop her

K atrina Wilder, 28, ran 6 miles in the last 10-K Peachtree Road Race during her third chemotherapy treatment. She started training for the event before she was diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease that runs in her family.
Her mother died from breast cancer at age 52, after keeping her illness hidden from her family. When Wilder was 25, she noticed a lump in her breast and requested a mammogram. Her doctor discouraged it because of her age, but she insisted until the mammogram was done. Her doctor said that the lump was not abnormal and did not recommend future testing.
This year the cyst had grown, so she asked for another mammogram and a biopsy. In March, she tested positive for breast cancer. After the removal of her tumor and a few lymph nodes and three and a half months of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, Wilder was back in the race. Since August she has run several races.
"My illness has not been easy, but it is not as hard as I thought it would be," said Wilder. "Breast cancer is not a death sentence if it is caught at an early stage. I chose not to let this disease consume my life. I exercise daily, eat healthy and thank God for every day. I hope that sharing my experience will encourage other women, especially young women, to monitor their health more closely."
Wilder is a transportation program specialist for the Office of Facilities Support Transportation Services, a position she has held since February 2000. She is planning on getting married next spring.

"All of the folks in our section have been inspired and truly touched by Katrina's upbeat and

positive attitude towards her coworkers and her job. She has been an inspiration to those of us who work with her every day, and we've been amazed at her ability to focus on her job while going through very, very difficult times," said Mike Casper, manager of Transportation Services.
Katrina's advice to women: It is important to take charge of your health and not always follow the recommendation of your doctor. Every woman should examine her breast monthly and have a yearly mammogram. If you are a young woman and notice an abnormal lump, you should demand a mammogram and/or biopsy.
-- Edna Jackson

Going for the gold

From a letter to Vicki Pilgrim, Health Promotion Section, Division of Public Health

M y first competitive run in a track event of any kind was last year when I entered the Georgia Golden Olympics and won a gold medal in the 100-meter run in a very slow time of 30 seconds, but it qualified me to compete in the 2001 National Senior Games. I was 86 years old at the time and I certainly wasn't in top running form.
I had such a wonderful time at the Georgia Golden Olympics that I decided then and there to compete in the National Senior Games. Immediately upon my return to Valdosta, I began training for the national games. I ran four days each week at a local high school track and worked out at our YMCA on weight machines three days each week.
When I talked to you three months ago, my best time on my

Photo by Dean Poling, Valdosta Daily Times.
100-meter practice sessions was 22 seconds. When you told me that the winning time in the 100-meter run in the last National Senior Olympics was 18 seconds, I was ready to throw in the towel, but you urged me on. It was then that I decided to seek professional help.
I was very fortunate to find a
continued on page 6

The Human Side Winter 2001 3

Write it right by Marian the Grammarian

Writing in style
E nglish, like a living thing, adapts to new situations. Word meanings, grammar rules, punctuation and even spellings change over time. However, in the short run, everyone who writes tries to keep to a set of consistent rules. The question is: "Which rules?"
Most of the grammar, punctuation and spelling rules you learned in school are still in force. However, the fine points may vary. Use of capital letters, italics, commas, hyphens and initials (acronyms) may follow rules that are set by editors and do not appear in standard grammar books.
Newspaper editors usually have their own sets of rules for some of the fine points, especially for words and phrases that have

just come into use in the last few years, like web site (website? Web site?) and Internet (internet?). These sets of rules are called "style sheets." Some longer guides are published as manuals so that anyone can use them.
Many editors of general interest publications follow The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual (AP), The Chicago Manual of Style, or The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage. It doesn't really matter that much which guidebook you use, as long as your program follows the same set of rules for all its documents.
DHR has not adopted any one style for its publications. The commissioner's office uses The Gregg Reference Manual. The Office of Communications uses the AP manual, which is different from some others mainly in its sparing use of capital letters. For example, AP says

to capitalize a person's title only if it comes before the name: "I wrote to DHR Commissioner Jim Martin." "I wrote to Jim Martin, DHR commissioner."
You may want to develop a style sheet for your own newsletter, reports or other agency documents, addressing fine points that only you have to deal with, such as: when to spell out certain names or terms you use a lot and when to use acronyms or abbreviations; which degrees to use after names; spelling of unusual words; and anything else not covered in the manuals. You can also decide to differ with the standard manuals on some points. You get to decide -- the first time. After that, if you just follow your own rules, readers will get the impression that you know what you're doing.
-- Marian the Grammarian

Active Georgians continued from page 2

explain why many people don't get enough exercise. We need to look at policies and programs that can help communities make it easier for people to be active."
The report states that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, falls and fractures. However, physical activity rates have declined in Georgia during the past 15 years.
The report recommends ways for the state to attain national physical activity and fitness goals proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 document, using proven strategies. It also includes a list of promising programs that promote

physical activity in Georgia. "This is a public health prob-
lem, and it cannot be addressed without a cooperative effort involving community groups, elected officials, businesses, schools and individuals as well as public health agencies," says Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., PH director. "We are seeing increased efforts to address the problem, including a statewide conference on obesity in Atlanta and the establishment this year of a Georgia Senate committee on physical activity in schools."
For a copy of the report, contact Pam Wilson at pswilson@ dhr.state.ga.us or 404/463-6633.
-- Barbara Joye

We'd like to hear from you
R ecently more readers have been contacting the Human Side to contribute stories, story ideas, news items for the Who's News and What's News columns, and photos. We encourage your contributions. DHR is the biggest department in state government, with about 20,000 employees, so we don't always hear all the good news. Please continue to help us get out the word about DHR employee activities, by emailing brjoye@ dhr.state.ga.us or sending your information to Barbara Joye, DHR Office of Communications, Two Peachtree St. NW, Suite 29.426, Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142.
-- Barbara Joye

4 The Human Side Winter 2001

Upgrading child care in Georgia CSE Helps families

I n partnership with the Georgia Early Learning Initiative (GELI), DHR is now able to raise the salaries of child care professionals and increase the subsidized payments to programs serving children age 5 and younger.
GELI is a public-private partnership devoted to enhancing the quality of early childhood education. It is funded by $4.5 million in private funding and $6 million from DHR, according to Bonnie J. Murray, DHR's Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) section director.
"DHR has a significant role in GELI," said Murray. "We are expanding child care choices for low-income families, and we are improving the quality of child care."
GELI will provide educational scholarships and teacher supplements statewide. It will also provide technical assistance and higher pay-
Bioterrorism
continued from page 1

ments to qualified providers in Fulton, Muscogee, Dodge, Laurens and Schley counties. CAPS will determine eligibility for the higher subsidized payments. "Since July, the training and technical assistance program has been available to help child care centers, family care providers and group homes achieve a higher level of quality," said Murray. "The first payments for teacher supplements will have reached educators in time for the holidays." To participate in any of GELI's programs, a center must be licensed or registered by DHR's Office of Regulatory Services or the Office of School Readiness. GELI's founding partners include the Office of the Governor, the United Ways of Georgia, the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. For more information, see www.geli.org or call CAPS at 404657-3434.
-- Edna Jackson

hit the jackpot
W hen a noncustodial parent in Augusta who owed child support to three families hit the Georgia Lotto for $10,000, the Augusta Office of Child Support was able to intercept the winnings so they could be used to help the families.
CSE agents Karen Lott and Clementine Clifford worked quickly after hearing about the bonanza from the OCSE Tax Offset Unit. Over $6,000 of the winnings went directly to the three families, while the rest repaid TANF for welfare money the families had received.
Lott and Clifford said they feel that their job is really worthwhile when they are able to help children. Clifford commented that the noncustodial parent never asked what happened to his $10,000 jackpot. "I guess he just realized that he owed it," said Lott.

Individuals who suspect that they may have been exposed to an unusual disease should contact their physician and their public health district office or county health department. A PH Event Information Line operated by the Georgia Poison Control Center provides pre-recorded information about handling anthrax threats and provides general information about anthrax and bioterrorism: 1-866752-3442 (toll-free, 24 hours/day, 7 days/week). More details on anthrax and bioterrorism are available on PH's web site at http:// www.ph.dhr.state.ga.us/programs/ emerprep/bioterrorism.shtml.
-- Barbara Joye

At least half a million people from Latin America live and work in Georgia. Tony Flores, DHR's program director for consumer outreach, and Dianne Phillips, director of Printing and Multi-Media in the DHR Office of Communications, designed this poster for Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15October 15, to celebrate Hispanics who work in health and social services. Two thousand copies were sent to public health clinics, DFCS offices, nonprofit organizations, Georgia Department of Labor offices, health fairs and other special events in metro Atlanta and south Georgia.

The Human Side Winter 2001 5

Refugees: Understanding the cultural differences

REFUGEE: A person outside his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of persecution or well-founded fear of persecution based on the individual's race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
S ince the September 11 terrorist attacks, some refugees in Georgia have been confronted with discrimination and even violent attacks. We hope the story of the Ahmed family who came here from Ethiopia five years ago will help you understand what refugees endure on their journey to freedom, and how DHR is helping.
When the Ethiopian government collapsed and a civil war broke out, the Ahmed family was robbed by masked men with guns during the night. The gunmen raped the mother and her four daughters and beat the father and son unconscious. After this attack Mr. Ahmed fled Ethiopia and escaped with his family to a Kenyan refugee camp.
After nine years the family

received approval to come to the United States, where Mr. Ahmed found work as a caseworker for other refugee families. His daughters and son completed their formal education here in Georgia and have all entered college. Mr. Ahmed is thankful that he had the opportunity to escape Ethiopia and find happiness, freedom, and success for himself and his family.
Shortly after arriving in Georgia, the Ahmed family was screened for health problems and immunized by the Division of Public Health's Refugee Health Program (RHP). The family also received other services from RHP's interpreters, including help with enrolling their children in school and getting health insurance.
The refugee program promotes the physical, mental and social well-

Golden runner continued from page 3

wonderful track coach who put me on a very intensive training program. He showed absolutely no respect for my age and nearly worked me to death. My physical fitness trainer at the Y was almost as demanding. Without the determination of these two dedicated professionals to make me a winner, I would never have won a silver medal at the National Senior Games in Baton Rouge. I owe the two of them and you a debt of gratitude...
It's great to be a silver medal winner in a national senior Olympic event, but the real payoff for me in

the long term is the vast improvement over a year ago in my physical fitness as a direct result of all my hard work and training. My energy level has more than doubled and I have never felt better. I plan to make running and physical fitness a way of life, and maybe life will be as great in my 90's as it has been in my 80's.
James H. Hammond, Valdosta
Editor's note: Unfortunately, the 2001 Georgia Golden Olympics were cancelled because they were scheduled to begin on September 12 at Robins Air Force Base. We hope everyone who had planned to go will be able to attend the 2002 games.

being of all newly arriving refugees.

The program also works in the best

interest of the communities in which

refugees settle, by detecting and

treating any communicable diseases

before they became public health

problems.

RHP has helped over 45,000

refugees since it began in 1980. In

the last two years more than half of

the refugees who resettled in

Georgia were from Bosnia, and more

than a quarter arrived from Vietnam,

Somalia, Iraq, and the Sudan.

Georgia's refugee population is one

of the most diverse in the country.

Georgia's RHP has one of the

most comprehensive interpretation

services in the United States. It is

the only state organization that

employs 11 interpreters/translators.

They help refugees who speak

Arabic, Amharic, Bosnian, Chinese,

Cambodian, Ethiopian, French,

Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Russian,

Somali, Swahili, Thai, and

Vietnamese. The interpreters also

provide outreach and case manage-

ment to help the refugees adjust to

this society.

"To ensure a smooth transition

into our society, it's important to

understand the needs and differ-

ences of those individuals who come

to America for solace," says Alice C.

Long, RHP director. "Cultural com-

petency is the key to understanding

these needs and differences."

The RHP has developed a cultur-

al competency program for people

who work with diverse populations.

This program offers a working

knowledge of other cultures and

how to handle differences tactfully.

To find out more about Georgia's

services for refugees or the cultural

competency training, contact RHP at

404-679-4916.

-- Afra Vance

6 The Human Side Winter 2001

Who's news

J ohn R. Hurd, Jr. is DHR's new deputy commissioner of technology and chief information officer. He was formerly vice president for a group of data entry and technology companies in Ohio and has been chief information officer for the State of Ohio's Department of Human Services. He currently commutes from Columbus, Ohio, and will relocate to Georgia this summer with his wife and six children.
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B arbara Fraser, a recently retired program manager with the Office of the State Long-term

Care Ombudsman, received a Congressional Award in November. Congressman Sanford Bishop (D2nd) presented the award in tribute to Fraser's outstanding service to residents of long-term care facilities. She was also recognized by Lt. Governor Mark Taylor, facility residents, and other employees during the Georgia Ombudsman
Conference. Fraser worked in the state office from 1989 until her retirement on November 30th.
kkkkkk
T he Safe Kids of Columbus Coalition won the Georgia Recreation & Parks Association State Aquatic Innovative Program Award

for the Water Safety Circus they held last July at a public park.
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A t the State Ombudsman Conference held in Atlanta in November, two DHR divisions and the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) discussed issues that impact the growing number of residents in long-term care facilities who need mental health services. Becky Kurtz, State Long-term Care Ombudsman, Division of Aging Services; Karl Schwarzkopf, Ph.D., acting director, Division of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse; and Nell MotonKapple and Carolyn Brown from DCH participated in a panel on ways to improve access to services for these clients.

Angel watches over Central State Hospital cemetery

A bronze angel now guards the cemetery where an estimated 30,000 people with mental illness are buried at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville. One of her hands reaches towards the sky as she prepares to take flight. She is a symbol of protection and peace. But she is also a symbol of the culmination of nearly five years of work by the members of the Georgia Consumer Council who restored the cemetery and made the angel's presence a reality.
At the statue's unveiling ceremony in October, DHR Commissioner Jim Martin welcomed some 100 people and read a letter from Rosalynn Carter congratulating the Council on its efforts. Officials from the Division of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse

A bronze angel guards the historic cemetery at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville.

(MHMRSA) and the statue's sculptor spoke. Diane McCarty of the Consumer Council asked the consumers present to place 50 of the old anonymous grave markers into holes near the speaker's stand. The crowd then walked 200 feet to see Commissioner Martin and the Consumer Council unveil the angel.
The first phase of cemetery restoration had been a hard road. In 1997, the Georgia Consumer Council toured the cemetery and cried at the disrepair and neglect. The people who were buried there seemed forgotten. Many grave markers were corroded; many were mown over. The Council also learned that many names and records of those buried there were lost. They promised to reclaim the grounds and erect a memorial that
continued on page 8

The Human Side Winter 2001 7

What's news

The 5th annual Fiesta Del Pueblo in Tifton, a Latino cultural festival, included booths featuring information about Babies Can't Wait, the Right from the Start Medicaid Project, and the Tift County Health Department. The festival drew over 5000 people on September 29 with a day of music, food, arts and crafts. DHR's Office of Communications designed the poster for the festival and helped with promotion.

The Georgia Poison Center has joined poison centers throughout the country to introduce a new emergency toll-free hotline. Calling 1-800-222-1222 will give you free, confidential advice from a poison expert 24 hours a day.
If you call the new number you will be connected to the closest local poison center. In our state this is the Georgia Poison Center, funded by DHR and operated by Grady Health Systems. In Metro Atlanta you can reach the center by calling 404-616-9000. The teletype for people who are deaf or hearing

impaired is still 1-404-616-9287. kkkkkk
T he Cobb/Douglas Public Health District opened the South Cobb Community Health Center in Austell on November 9. The center has a fully equipped demonstration kitchen. At the opening Chef Scott Wilson gave a cooking demonstration using foods approved by the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC). The center's goal is to provide WIC services and breastfeeding support as well as affordable dental and health care to all Austell residents.

Witches, goblins and other costumed characters scared DHR employees into giving at the State Charitable Contributions Campaign on Halloween. (L-R) Virginia Brock, Donna Gray, John Sartain, Judy King, Glynda King, and Joya Thomas.

Angel continued from page 7
would send a message that they not only respected the dead buried in the cemetery, but also themselves.
Over the years the Council built a following among state authorities, advocates and family members, raised nearly $40,000 in donations, and worked hard to unearth markers. They are continuing the restoration, repositioning newly discovered markers 50 at a time.
The Council's efforts have received national attention. They published a manual for those who wish to follow their lead, which has been endorsed by every mental health commissioner in the country. Fourteen other states have begun similar projects to restore their cemeteries, using Georgia as a model.
Last year, MHMRSA promised perpetual care for the cemeteries at Central State Hospital.
For more information, contact Larry Fricks, director of the MHMRSA Office of Consumer Relations, 404-657-2100
-- Iris McIlvaine
The purpose of The Human Side is to provide interesting and important information related to DHR employees and their jobs.
Published by the DHR Office of Communications
Supervising editor - Andy Boisseau Managing editor - Barbara Joye Graphic designer - Eddie Reddick Editorial and production staff Dianne Phillips; Rene Huie; Barbara Joye; Angel Rodriguez; Edna Jackson; Lola Russell Wilkinson; Iris McIlvaine; and Bill Gwynn. Please send your letters and ideas to: The Human Side, 2 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite 29-426, Atlanta, GA 30303 404/656-4937 FAX 404/651-6815 DHR GroupWise e-mail - brjoye Internet: brjoye@dhr.state.ga.us.

8 The Human Side Winter 2001