DFCS express, Vol. 22, no. 1 (First quarter 2007)

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Volumap Number 1

1st Qusrter 2007
r'.IR GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Athens, EA 30605 Fax rebases to: 706-542-3229
I

R &h& W~ ....:.%5,--..,;v:.J-~m.-:>4l+k . -. .s+&k" ? '!"

-heHesource Development
staffin DFCS Area X is commended for
their i n d r e w e n t efforts throughwt the 15 county area.
Momentumremaim high-produdhi~ and commitment are evident with the 93
resource homes approvedduring the
period ofJuly1-December31,2006. The regional godfor~obbhbgnew

E

reource homes by JuneA3Q,8Wis7188.

w- Thisstaffis usin all d a b I e Wt-
merittooh incluLg Yardsigns,

bmds axid maintaininghigh visibiliv

wid& themma*. The M m e m -
bem in this area report that they have

muchleft to do?Resource Development

staffyou are appreciatedl We must can-
. h u e to recruit. .our chitdrenare

. ' w-gf

.* , . - , l ~ r

4

k,.;:

.- submitted by Vanasa Hin

Field Program Specialist

. : ?.

1

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.a
I 'I

Besource Development staff members shown in tront ot the y &%in(above}are (frontrow Cr) Teresa Evans (Bartow),Lynn ' -:Fryor (Haralson),Elena Tatum (Catoosa), Michelle Ray (Waked, Felicia Montgomery (Floyd), Dana Harris (Floyd},(bac.k row.-I-r). .C. yn.di-To.dd -

(Murray). Other Area I ResourceDeveloper%nor.sn-ownare wget wlmnan (Pickens),Amy Washuta (Fa'annin)and Susan Ollis Floyd)..'

on Publications

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I submitted by Vicki D. Eel. Food and Nutrition Program Specialist, Area X

: .

State Food Stamp Dieaster Coordinator

Georgia's Food and Nutrition Programwanted to be a millionaire. The

2),Mechelle Garschagen(Areall), and Sabriena Gibbs (State Outreach

s d of thisDeparbnent of Human Resources' Division ofFamily and

Coordinator).The impIementation committee urges Georgiansto embrace

l CMdren Servicesunit appliedfor a 2006 Food Stamp Program Partici ation the future changes as the initial groundworkbecomes the completed system,

Grant. The United States Department ofA g r i m h e (USDA) selecte

and as G e o ~ a ' sfamiles are strengthened by the improved accessibilityand

Georgia as one of five states in the nation to receive this ant. USDA awards increased awareness of the Fond Stam Program.

$5 millionannually in grants for projects aimedat sirnpli$;ng the food stamp

Georgia's economyis strengthenecf'by this grant as every $5 in new food

applicationand eligibilitysystems, or imprwing access to food stampbenefits stamp benefits generates $9.20 in total communityspending.The Food

for eligible househoIds.

Stamp hogram is the cornerstone offederal nutition assistanceprograms

What can you do with a d o n dollars? In Geova, a million doIlarswill mdprwides crucial support to the working poor and needy households.The

heIp to improve program access by facilitating the deveIopment of a web par- program currently serves more than 950,000people monthly in Georgia.

tal that features an on-line, pre-screening tool for eligibility.It will also pro- More than 60percent of those participants are the state's most vulnerable

vide an d n e a pIication, online change reports, and the portabilityof bene- citizens. Greater than 53 percent ofthe participants are children and at least

fits throughout %e state. The food stampproject invoivespartnershps

seven percent of the participants are age 60 or older.

.% 4 +

among DHR, other state agencies, faith-based orgmimtions and communiv

, c

.I

organizations to allow Georgiansto apply for nuhition assistance where they

live,work, play and pray. The application process is sirnpMed and improved.
It allows clientsto ap ly for benefits inthe privacy oftheir homes, at work or
at other loeations wi&n their mmrnunities with Internet accwibiiity, Nancy Montmez-Sohner, Undersecretaryforthe USDA Food and

E X e.s~.*-:-<.-.>.

n of Family ana Chifdren Sawkm

esearch ~ & e ,Suite 11100- -

PAID

Nu~tionSenice (FNS),presented the $1,000,000check to DHR

I

I(

CommissionerB.J.Walker on September 13,2006.Other FNS o&als pre--1

Permit No. 1

sent at the ceremony included R e g i o d AdministratorDonald Arnette,

Deputy Regional Administrator Retha O h r and Regional Director P e w

Fouts. DFCS Food Stamp Program staffin attendanceincludedL o h e

Daniels, Karen Dean ahd Katherine Kelly h o l e . Michael Bradfod, with the

SalvationA r m q s Project SHARE was also present. Other partners working

with this initiativeinclude Geor ' Deparhnent of Labor, Georgia

Community Action Agencies, C fst Lutheran Church, DAS GemgiaCares

Program,and the MeWSouth GeorgiaCaIl Centers.

Among the hggest smiles at the check presentation ceremonywere those

ofB a a Edwards, mce of Family Independence Food and Nub-ition

18 ProgEams Unit Manager and the regional Field Pro am SpeciaIistswho
helpedwrite the grar~tT. hey are Vicki Bell ( h a Luanne Burgers (Area

Libem County Recognizing Exemplary Employees submittedhy Brenda ~ g u t n qC, RS

Liberty County DFCS heId an awards breakfast ceremony on November 29,2006 to recognize staff that has ren-
dered outstanding service to the communi~during the past
year.The s&and Board members enjoyed a feast hosted
bv ccountv director Cornelius McRae and the suaervisors. Officeof FamiIy1nd4endmce
(OF]) case manager Debbie West (left)earned the count$ Employee of the Year award for ten years of excellence in service and by virtue of her commitment to "dothe rieht work the right way." During 2h6
Mrs. West managed two employment
caseloads, and tireIessly worked with
Economic Support customers to assist them in reaching their employ-
ment gods. She &en schedded customersafter regular work hours to ensure that h e y would not lose hours at work and the resulting decrease in pay Mrs.West went above and beyond by assistingchildcareworkers in timeoonsuming administrativetala such as creating, fingor purging case rewrds.She also assisted in shreddingpurged records for the inhkdongoingunits. Mrs. West serves on the
Economic Support committee, which creates ideas to reduce the number of TANF recipients. While doing so,
Mrs. West presents a posftive atlitude and uplifting spirit
with everyone around her. CongratulationsMrs.West!
OFi case manager Rochelle Homes (left) earned an Employee of the Quarter award because she portrays a cando attitude,and has done so for nearly fiveyears at
Liberty County DFCS. Mrs. HoImes goes the extra mile for the customers and in her administrative
tasks. She shows sincere care and
concern for her customers at aU
S times. Mrs. H o b volunteers her su port and guidance to
a11m r k e r s , serves as a mentor, an is always ready to assist other counties as w d . Greatjob Mrs.Hohas!

S d Services case manager
Adnane Brown (right)earned an
Employee of the

1

~n&e'r award for

being an invaluabIe

employee at Liberty

DFCS over the past

six years, Supewhrs

recomize Mrs.

~ m &for her excellentleadership qualities and her ability

to supervise the Child Protective Service unit in their

absence. She is a true team player who always~encourages

f her peers when they cannot see the da light thou h the
fog. Mrs. Brown has worked Iong harc rhours and as taken

on challenges beyond her assigned duties to help maintain

the unit. Keep up the excellent work Mrs. Brown!

Mr. McRae and the Board members alsa awarded aIl

stafTwith beautifid DHR watches; the support s@ (below)

! received gift baskets, and man won door prizes.Theyalso
said that they realize working or DFCS is a difficult, and at

times thankless job, and wished they could do more to

express their appreciation.All Lib* County DFCS st&

valued heir words of wisdom and encouragement.The year

2006ended at Liberty County DFCS with smiles and a p s -

itive outlook for the upcoming year!

Camden County DFCS recently exchanged food fox luggape with the SalvationArmy Imated in St. Marys. The Salmtio11 Army neededfood items to restock a depletedf ~ d p m b y. !

I the SalvationArmv had l u ~ a e tehatYhadnot b1d.sa the two I

pariael agencies decided E n h e the =GreatExchange."

Salvation Army director Nanette HamiIton states, "Our

food bank has been depleted in recent months.We have

been unable to keep up with the demands ofthe community

so we have been asking local businesses and our partner

agencies to help us out."

OFT case managers Robine Dawson and Ida Henderson

organized the food-drive at Camden County DFCS.

According to Dawson, we

dadto t&ke On this

~roiectbecause when our clients are seekinean xkhtional
looh resource,we refer them to the ~alvati&Army; so nat-

C-...--.-.. ......, ---. .-. --. - .--- -..-. ---. -- - --- - --.--ter) joins DFCS case managersRobine Dawson (left)andha Henderson in a beneficial ,axchange.
neighbor's wagon and canvassed my neighborhood.They

urally we wanted to help ensure that food will be available. were very generous." Momson estimates that the agency

W e have a close-knit community here in Carnden, and we collected several hundred pounds off o d items.

are always willing to assist our partners and others in the

Julie MeIendez, Salvation Army Social Services

community."Adds Henderson, 'We received an overwhelm- Director, says that luggage is not one of their biggest selling

ing responsefrom our staff.By the time we ended the food items so the agency saves all the unsold lugage and donates

dnve,we were running out of space at our office and had to it to DFCS for use with its children in care. W e understand

make five or six trips to transport all the fwd inside once we the importanceof having somethingthat's d l your own-

anived at the Salvation Army. We had to use gmcery carts to somethmg the children can use to keep their precious pro-

get the food from our vehicles."

cessions togetherin. It was a great trade and a win-win situ-

R" Community Resource S ialist Vernal Morrison says ation. We help and support each other," said Melendez.
that she did not just empty er cuphards, "I borrowed my

I :oheCounty Holds 'rd R i b , , Jay
~brnittedby Kim Gilbert, Resource Developer
1he staff of Coffee County DFCS ceIebratedRed Ribbon Week during the week b e p i n g October23,2006. Red Ribban Week the bi st and most hewn drug preven-
qWin:the UnitGtates. The week selves as a tribute ta-SpecialAgent Camarenawho worked with the Drug EnfmementAgency until he lost hs lifet o dmgt r a c k -
*.p in Mexico. All area citizens, schools and orgmhtions
ere strangIyenmuragedto participant in the event. The DFCS staff encourages their clients to live a life
that is drugfree.They celebratedthe week by dkpIayiTlg d ribbons on the sign atthe front ofthe building and
ore red ribbons on their shirts to e e awareness of the lent. The st& also decided to wear red shirts on October 7, makingit their second annual drug free day celebra-
--
Agency employees wanted to take the opportunijl to
Iget involved with the m u n i j l and to send a clear message to all ofthe Coffee Countycitizens to stop drug ,abuse.To Ieam more about Red Ribbon Week you can sit the following web site: www.drugsrdumb.mm.
TalFaferro Countv horeciates Shun Smith
submittad by Elaine Lynn','CRS ,-., Taliaferro County DFCS named Shun Smith as Employee of the Month in October. Annie Curry,Family Independence Case Management Supenisorsaid-thatShun has-a unique way of working with customers. She is a personal guide for many persons who could not seekhelp from within their own families. Shunwarh with individuals w i n g with.& wry first step to the findstep.
Shun servedon two regional trainingpanel sessions to presknt her way of motivating and helping customars to do the right work the right way. Taliafem Counjl DFCS staff is very grateful to have sub a &&cated individual who cares about the welfare of building strongerfamilies. Coagratdationsfrom the Taliafem County staff.
I;
Wilson, PAT Educators; and Darrien Harnpton, CEO of A New Life. Bryant McNair (right1had many questions about the Food Stamp Program.

The staff of White County DFCS showed their apprwia-
tion on Boss' Day October 16, for the leadership of mun-
g director Cheyl Dooley, Offce of Family Independenoe
supervisor Yvonne Worthington and Office of Child Protection supervisor Donna Derden. Enjoying stic buns, juice and coffee at a table set that morningw i flowers, candles and s d e s are (I-r) Yvonne, ChelyI and
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Wilcox Counhr Staff Receive Awards
submitted by ~ i l t k nMcWhorter, CRS
Wilcox County DFCS director Tangeh Strickland (center) presented severaI empIoyees with certificates at the November monthly staff meeting. Staff members receiving awards are (1-r) Jan McCarty, successfulcomplet.ionof incumbent certification,Cbild Protective Services; Rebecca Powell, successful compIetion of Fast Track certification, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions; Dedra B I d w o r t h , successful completionof incumbent certification, Child Protective Services; and Tim Cpnner, successful completion of incumbent oe&cation, Child Protective Services and Foster Care Placement. Congratulationstern!

Warren County DFCS staff provided food stamp outreach at a oommunity faidgrandopening sponsored byWarren
County 21st Century F a d y Learning Center on October 30,2006. At a display booth, Community Resource
SpecialistElaine Lynn provided food stamp applications,
brochures dong with nub-itiouseatinginformation ~rovid-
ed by the area's County ElctensionAgency.

Taking it to the Public in Camden County
Cmden C o u nD~FCS std+id-
pated in the recent CadenCounty Annual Business Expo as usual. but thewayin wtrichtheypariicipsted %we& l d n d o f u n d Inyears

* s f h h d by vemdJ. Momison, CRS @aed about the idea and 4#dWto rakh the bestp-one2stetpM e r . "Why notget
'~+hirts printed so even while ~ ~ b sarermin&s with
olha,e~tnt~r~b~f,e
h o w what our mission iS,"mIred Dwb.
A l t h w DFCS had an

youdoTThis mtherthanwait-

dtopmeindgle and,n@etwwaosrkwnitohwohtheer

ing at theyt a b r * est& min@d

agencies and businesses. "It was

and networlced like other partkipat-

a win& situation,"said Carter.

ing businesses. The hierested or

"Instead offoh a s h g what are

curious did not have to ask, "So what

do,they wked abwt fostercare

do?'' Naw they stoppedstaff hesource uwe~opersnannon ~amrasplays and adoptiofis, and that's the

$ E d , 30bl me more about fm- her T-shirt urging visitors to "A& me about objective! And we get to nemrk

ter care and adoption."

Foster Care and Adoption."

with ochers and enjoy the event."

Camden County DFCS staff

Morrison used the same out-

donned T-shirts that red 'Ask me about Foster Care and reach effort regardingfood stamps, She said that in her

Adoption."Thanks to a Best Practice shared by Community experience alot ofpeople fn ths community, especiallytbe

'k Resource Specialist (CRS)Shed T M r a and the ChiId worIdngandelder ,feel that the Food Stamp rogram is
Protective Senices (CPS)staffof MdntorhCountyDFCS, for otha people. thisyear myoutred d r e a d , 'Ask

Camden staff read the word dl over the Exgovenue. The Mdstosh dtteaded a Mid in Glynn Cnmty earlier,

me re

how

to stretch your food dollars.' I got
.Everywe can iden* with m h

a much btter g their d o l b

but instead ofsecuringa M, hey decided towaIk

g o E m , n a t j a f m f d b u t . f o r & e r ~as&.

f around, rnin e with other f d pmtieipmts,p m wt h- So oncethey& how,Iwas able toten them aboutthe

tinn 'teratuxe,andtalk it 11 They feltthat this

Fwd Stampprogram.Theywere much mom receptive."

Z3rng ihtreachmorepeople tf&behgstationaryat a Althm& Morrim did notwear sfood stamp oubaach

booth. When Soda1Services S u m AUison Davis and T-shirt, she think it is a g d idea. Sheisconside*

Resoure DevelopmentCaw Manager ShannonCarter

ordertng a smack $pWuteweaq rather than T-shirts, scr

a p p r ~ ~ eCRMS Vemal Morrtsonforassishoewith the that aupne .inthe -can

wear it overclotlung It is

event, she s h d McInWs bsst p d c e . They h a m e anotherb e t p-
L

in the making. '_

:.A'

Represented at Southwest Georgia Exchange Club Fair

DFCS staff members helping with the blood drive are

(141 county director Vivian Johnson, supemisor Sharon

Smith, Sherren Carter, Heather Kirkley, Tonya Boatrigfit,

Rhonda Hopkins and Kim Gilbert. Others assisting but

not pictured were Peggy Guthrie, Ben Mercer and Cathy

Roberts,

ICoffee County DFCS Holds Blood Drive

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submitted by Kim Gilbert, Resource Developer

Coffee County DFCS hrwted a b l d drive witb Southeastern CommunityBidCenter on October 16,
2006. The blood drive was a way that the OFCS staff could give back to the aommuniv by increasing the area's b i d supply.The blood mobile was stationedin the back
of the DFCS ofice. Resource Developer Kim Gilbert and CommunivResource Spedalit Rhonda W o p h
rteecdrduoitpetdivdeonpormograanmd .pSreovveidraeldpianrfotircmipaatniotsndaobnoautet dthbelfwa--
rdEYthe giR oflife.Along with the know!dgethat ey ped others, the donors received Southeastera Community B l d Drive T-shirts, refreshments,chip clips, and ink pensprintedwith the 1477-210-KIDS foster/adoptive inquiry number.

submitted by Angela Way Resource Devetoper

The Dougherty County DFCS Resource

DevelopmentTeam is always l m h g forways to

spread the word about foster and adoptive par-

enting. Well, they knew of a sure way to reach
thou&ds of peiple from dl over &k southwest

Fd* &+the h m t d Exchan@W"I"atii.

This event is sponsored by The Exchange Club

ofAlb*y lest.
october The mals and shorn.

and is "Id eachyew in exhbitsa

Resource Development workers Angela Way (left) and Linda Howard promote awareness of the foster/adoptive program at the Annual Exchange Club Fair.

a events, as many as 100 ven-
or dirtnbuted pamphlets. rt of the DFCS County
Margaret Saw,
Dougherty Counv DFCS was among those vendors again this year. DFCS staff sets up a booth each year to educate the pubkc about the on-going need for foster and adoptive parents, and explains how they may get involvedif interested. Resource Deveioprnent workers distributed brochures
and otherpromotional items to interestedm l e .

1 The ency received many inquiries from vjsitors from
counties 1overthe southwest, since the Annuid Fair is
very popularthrou out the entire m a . Thanks to the
f agency%statewide otline number for people to call For
more informationabout the fosterladoptiveprocess other
counties benefited from thisevent as well. P e o p l e d
I remember that theywere at the fairwhen they heardabout
the p-. Just another way for Dougherty County DFCS tostay involvedwith the communityand continue to pro-
mote awareness.

Colquitt County Participabs in Hispanic Outreach
suhmi#ed by RobinValer?fino;CRS arid Cindi C i , RDC

1 1 Col uitt Coun DFCS

in the l&no Parent Infwmaton Day

he1 on Nwem er 18,2006. CommunityResource Specialist Robin

1 Valentine, B m Development CoordinatorChdi Gittens, and EIigibili
ScreenerhterpreterClaudia Ghentes representedDFCS at the w n t he1

at Colquitt C m t y High ScboaIin Moultrie.The staff alsQ providedinforma-

tion on tho inmasing need for fosterparents from the mspadc community,

Information and brochureson foster care recruitment,and supprt sentices

such as food stamps and Medicaidwere avdableto the public.

Approximately 150people attendedthis event designdto increase Hispanic

awarenessof resourcesavallabIe throughout tbe commudy.

Tift County Holds Back-t-hool Clothing Give-Away
sllbmltted by Lashame S. Graham
The Tift Counly AdoptidFoster Parent Association held a clothing give-away for
the foster andadoptiveparents to assist wAtb back-twchooI clothing. The give-awy wss held on August 12,2006.
Thepllrents stoppedby DFCS to sho
for new,b s c U o o l clothing for Jeir foster or adoptive dddren.

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Wumbia Csunty DFCS Pa&ipates in atue Wvw HarBy F d u d

*mwmw~,=

I r

I
Illwfamiw, Shah infomabn t the festivalwre PamClarki Barnel and R h ~ d nh b l c

IMcKwer,Tami LiisayT~ar~arNeetat, Claude Vines, Nancy Owens, Sunny Rogers, Craig Smitfi (kneeling), Lisa Peebles and Gillian McWhorter.

I

Area IX DFCS Represented at Forum
submitted by Nancy owens, CRS

Repie%entatimfrom Area lX D m attendeda Faith
and Communiv forum at the Methodist Bays Home in
Maconon September22,XNH.Information,idem and
participation were at a high level throughout the day. The
r attendeeswere split into groupsbdiscuss specific topics.
A facilibtor,w i p e d toeach of the smallerp ,kept things running smoothly. Each p u consistedo a
&verse m a senion of DPCS emp&ees and qmrentatives offaith-based and other community volunteersin
order to gain a wide range ofideas,The attendees
enjoyedlunch and an opportuniwto share ideas.

I
II Grady County Holds FaH Festival
w b m W by Ruthfe Gila, CRS

.*VVW.W.

y-V"Iw w

esj@ a fay1 ~ t i d

1mrpar.P i ~ eds the

C a r i M m sewed as

the them Esr the h-

ti&, Aioh inchled

lots ofgames and

p w s . The pkhre

t&t) shows a wry

special R s h a n w b

aught a big one with

the assistance of

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