Please see our Calendar of Events for upcoming programs and events.
Executive Director Regina Butts presented the Hancock County Board of Education with an update of various Family Connection-Communities In School program work from the GenRx, PIPP, Teen Resilience and Communities In Schools highlights. Butts, thanked the Board of Education for their support and presented them with holiday gift bags as a sign of appreciation for supporting the work of Family Connection- Communities in Schools of Hancock County, Inc.
ONE WORLD LINK’S PUBLIC HEALTH & RURAL AMERICORPS PROGRAM LAUNCHES
Macon, GA- In September 2022, One World Link powered by AmeriCorps Georgia, in partnership with North Central Health District, Atrium Health, First Choice Primary and others in order to support and outreach to public health organizations, while also recruiting, training, and developing a new generation of public health leaders who are ready to respond to public health needs and provide public health services in the Central Georgia region.
Guide on How to Dispose of Medications Properly – Click here
Get Georgia Reading Pilot and Read Across America 2021: Reading Project article and pictures Hancock County
Family Connection- Communities in Schools of Hancock County, Inc. Continues to Address Early Literacy needs in the Community. On December 10, 2020 Georgia Family Connection was awarded $1725 in support of the Get Georgia Reading Home Pilot project. Because of COVID 19 pandemic Hancock County students has been 100% virtual since March of 2020.
The Get Georgia Reading at Home Pilot program aims to strengthen family’s knowledge and skills for supporting children development of “essential skills” via a range of approaches and resources. The goal of the home pilot program is to provide families with supplemental materials and to distribute materials and GGR at Home Resources.
Regina Butts, Executive Director for Family Connection-CIS of Hancock County accepted the challenge to ensure that students from birth to age 8 received supplemental reading materials that included a read to me t-shirt that challenged parents to read 15 minutes per day for the Hancock County Literacy Project. 160 Early Head Start, Head Start/Pre-K and Daycare Center students received bookbags with a book, a t-shirt, a Get Georgia Reading at Home introductory letter from Georgia Family Connection Collaborative and registration forms to enroll in the Ferst Reader program.
Over three hundred and sixty students (360) from grades K-3 at Lewis Elementary received a drawstring bag with crayons, pencils, sharpeners, Get Georgia Reading at Home “Getting Ready Guide K-3rd Grade” a guide that is full of activities for families and caregiver to do with early learners. These students not only receive a family guide, but they were provided a Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) learn at home with PBS kids learning activities thrive whether at school or at home.
Butts, say’s the Hancock County Literacy Team with HHIP and several other partners are making strives to achieve the goal of having a highly literate population in Hancock County, Georgia our collective efforts have been to target early in children lives when their brains are rapidly developing. Statistics shows that just 15 minutes a day of reading aloud to child for 5 years results in 27,375 minutes of language exposure, putting these children on the path to high literacy achievement.
Hancock County Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. “A DAY OF GIVING”
“LIFE’S PERSISTENT AND MOST URGENT QUESTION IS, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OTHERS” ~ MARTIN L. KING, JR. ~
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. many joined in to help with the Free Egg and Facial Mask give a way that was held in the Springfield community, Sparta, Ga. The give- away was held at Apostolic Faith Kingdom Ministries ~ Lillie R. Tripp, Pastor.
In honor of Dr. King’s Birthday, 900 dozen of fresh eggs donated by NESTFRESH EGG were given to all who wanted them along with over 1000 facial mask donated by Ford Motor Company. Also, GenX prescription prevention flyers were passed out to the people as well.
Ms. Regina Butts~ Executive Director of Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County, along with Mr. Terrell Reid ~Site Coordinator, and Mrs. Bernestine Harden~ AmeriCorps Tutor, would like to thank everyone for their donations and unselfish acts of kindness during these times of the pandemic. A huge thank you to NESTFRESH Eggs and Ford Motors for helping us to celebrate Dr. King’s special day in such an awesome way.
And now from our dynamic team we leave these words with you…. ‘NO ONE HAS EVER BECOME POOR BY GIVING” …. An EGG is always an adventure; the next one may be different. EGGS are very much like small boys… if you overheat them, or overbeat them, they will turn on you, and no amount of future love will right the wrong. Probably one of the most private things in the world is an EGG… until it is broken. THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT.
It is with great gratitude we say to all of you, let us continue to uplift each other in these dark days of this pandemic, love each other, help each other and be a blessing to each other as we stay safe and humble… we are all different on the outside, but we are all the same on the inside.
CJCC Awards 11 New Projects Under the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative
OCTOBER 16, 2020
ATLANTA (October 16, 2020) — The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is pleased to announce the approval of over $500K for 11 new projects under the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative (administered by 8 subgrant recipients).
In 2018, CJCC was one of six initial governmental organizations awarded the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative (OAYI) grant from the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (OJJDP).
This initiative focuses on improving Georgia’s opioid response for youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system by funding new programming designed to respond to the growing number of youth who are opioid involved or opioid affected.
The goals of the grant are to:
- Establish a statewide panel of experts (OAYI Steering Committee) to identify the greatest areas of concern to address the opioid epidemic and its impact on youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.
- Integrate and analyze data from stakeholder groups to understand the risk factors for opioid abuse and related crime for juvenile offenders. Develop a strategic plan to coordinate interventions and evaluate effectiveness.
- Implement and increase use of evidence-based programming and assessment tools for youth and families receiving evidence-based services.
At this time, the OAYI Steering Committee has been meeting regularly since September 2019. OJJDP approved Georgia’s OAYI Strategic Plan in June 2020. A request for proposals (RFP) was released in early June (and re-released in August) for applicants to implement evidence-based programs addressing the opioid epidemic with a focus on Georgia’s youth.
As of October 1st, from the RFP, 8 awards totaling $584,154 were made (for a total of 11 projects) to local programs to address opioid misuse using evidence-based services. Funding recipients include: the Bulloch County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, Communities in Schools of Burke County Family Connections, the Council on Alcohol and Drugs, the Davis Direction Foundation, the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse, the Savannah-Chatham Board of Education Police Department, the Stephens County Board of Education, and Unison Behavioral Health.
Family Connection-Communities in Schools of Hancock County, Inc. apart of 14 county Region was award dollars to implement opioid education to youth in our community. Currently, we are collaborating with the Hancock County School District and John Hancock Academy for implementation.
For more information about Georgia’s Opioid Affected Youth Initiative or the projects awarded, please contact Stephanie Mikkelsen, Juvenile Justice Program Director, at SMikkelsen@cjcc.ga.gov or visit https://cjcc.georgia.gov/grants/grant-subject-areas/juvenile-justice/opioid-affected-youth-grant-program.
About the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)
Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1981 as an Executive Branch agency, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) represents the culmination of many efforts to establish a statewide body that would build consensus and unity among the State’s diverse and interdependent, criminal justice system components. For more information visit the CJCC website: https://cjcc.georgia.gov/.
CONTACT:
Dannielle Lewis – Communications, External Affairs and Training & Content Manager
Dannielle.Lewis@cjcc.ga.gov
Regina Butts, Executive Director
Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County, Inc.
What to do with Unused Medicine?
Keeping unused or expired prescription medicines in your home can be dangerous! Prevent prescription drugs from getting into the wrong hands.
Rid your home of unwanted/unused prescriptions.
Drop them off for safe disposal during
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
October 30, 2020
2p.m.- 5 p.m.
Sponsored by:
Hancock County Sheriff Office & Family Connection-Communities in Schools, Inc.
Drop off location:
12744 Broad Street (In front of the Building)
Hancock Co. Dept. of Family Children Services Building
Sparta, Georgia 31087
Trick or Treat Community Candy Give-Way
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Site cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches
Visit www.dea.gov for more info.
Family Connection Communities in Schools staff are canvassing the community to collect Census form and information. While sharing GenRx Presciption drug information
Ferst Readers Board of Directors Announces New President Davida Morgan Washington
June 1, 2020
MADISON, GEORGIA – Ferst Readers Board of Directors today announced that nonprofit veteran Davida Morgan Washington has been named President of the organization effective June 1, 2020. She succeeds Interim President Elyse Klova (Chief Operating Officer for Blaze Leadership) who also led Ferst Readers’ executive search.
As the Ferst Readers’ new president, Washington will lead the organization through a particularly challenging time for children across the country who have not been in childcare centers or classrooms for months and face uncertainty for the fall.
“During a time when families are together at home and caregivers are hungry for resources and guidance, we have an opportunity for Ferst to make a particularly strong impact,” said Board Chair Errika Moore, “For about 20 years, we’ve been in close partnership with the Georgia early education community and have given children more than six million quality, age-appropriate children’s books. We’re ready to do more and are excited to see how we continue to evolve under Davida’s leadership.”
That evolution begins with mobilizing Ferst Readers’ multi-state network of community volunteers, staff, and partners and guiding the organization through its next strategic planning process. Ferst Readers strengthens communities by providing quality books and literacy resources for children and their families to use at home during the earliest stages of development. With many early childcare centers and libraries shuttered throughout the State of Georgia and beyond, these resources are more important than ever.
“It’s a privilege to be selected to lead this organization strategically and collaboratively,” said Washington. “I find it motivating that the work we do each day assures that children enter school on their first day prepared and confident in their ability to learn.”
For almost 10 years Washington has helmed fundraising operations for some of Georgia’s most recognized nonprofits, including the American Heart Association, the national office of the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Communities In Schools of Georgia and, most recently, the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta where she served as Regional Director of Development and Planned Giving. She also led HealthSTAT, a health advocacy organization in collaboration with Emory University, Morehouse College School of Medicine, Mercer School of Medicine and the Georgia State Legislature. As Executive Director, she guided HealthSTAT in strategic planning, budget management, advocacy/education and development. She began her career as an administrator and instructor for her alma mater, Shorter University.
Davida Morgan Washington received her undergraduate degree in public relations and business administration from Shorter University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in nonprofit management from the University of Jacksonville. She is a 2012-2013 Fellow of Georgia Women’s Policy Leadership Institute.
“The Search Committee was looking for a president who would build on our established relationships and success and help the organization grow. We are confident Davida’s previous professional experience, her ideas on how to take Ferst to the next level, and her positive energy make her the ideal president,” said Board Member and Search Committee Chair Lauri Strauss.
Washington’s appointment culminates a six-month national search that netted more than 300 potential candidates. The Ferst Readers Board of Directors search committee worked with Blaze, a change management and leadership development firm based in Atlanta.
Could you use some extra food in your home each month?
Click here to get all of the information
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. CARES Act provides 4 (four) programs: Payment Protection Program (PPP) Loans, Small Business Debt Relief Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Economic Injury Grants, and Counseling & Training. The Treasury Department is taking action and supporting American workers and businesses who are impacted by the coronavirus. Learn more at https://home.treasury.gov/cares
Census Day: Encourage Families to Fill Out the Census By April 1
Encourage families to respond to the 2020 Census by April 1 by completing the questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail. The 2020 Census is a count of every person living in the United States as of April 1, 2020. The questionnaire from the U.S. Census Bureau asks a few simple questions, like the age, sex, and marital status of the people who live in your home, including newborns and non-relatives.
Explain that responding to the 2020 census is an easy, safe, and important way to help provide critical resources for children, families, and their communities for the next 10 years. Remind parents and families that federal spending programs rely on information derived from the 2020 Census to guide the distribution of funds to states, counties, cities, and households. Those funds include services communities receive, including those that benefit children, such as Head Start, special education, and after-school programs, school lunch assistance, children’s health insurance, child care, and housing support.
Some families might notice census takers in their neighborhood. Let them know that this is a normal part of conducting the census; if they haven’t yet responded to the census, then census takers conduct in-person visits to ensure families are counted. Census takers are legally bound to protect any personal information collected and keep it strictly confidential. To learn more about what to expect, visit https://www.2020census.gov
School-Based Health Center Parent Survey
The Hancock County School District and Community Health Care System are thinking about opening a School‐Based Health Center. Children attending Hancock County School District to be served would be eligible to receive services at the School‐Based Health Center. Services might include immunizations, physical exams, care of minor illnesses (earaches, sore throats, cuts and bruises) and related family support services.
The cost of services would be based on a sliding‐fee scale, and no one would be refused service because of inability to pay. To help us plan for the School‐Based Health Center, we would like to ask a few questions about the health needs of your child. This information will help us decide what types of services and programs to offer at the Center. Your answers are completely confidential. You do not need to put your name anywhere on this form. Thank you for your help.
Parent – https://www.research.net/r/schoolhealthcenter-parent
Student – https://www.research.net/r/schoolhealthcenter-student
Family Connection- Communities In Schools of Hancock County, Inc. awarded a $10,000 grant for a possible School Based Health Clinic
In November 2019 Family Connection Communities In Schools of Hancock County was award by Emory University, by and through its School of Medicine, on the behalf of its Department of Pediatrics and its PARTNER for Equity in Child & Adolescent Health Program a $10,000.00 grant for the purpose of exploring the development of a school-based health center in Hancock County.
Hancock County Board of Education and Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County, Inc. are discussing the possibility of opening a School-Based Health Center to provide physical, dental and mental health services for students in the Hancock County School District.
Why School-Based Health Centers in Hancock County?
Access to Health Care for All Children: School-based health centers provide health care to all children who have parental permission, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay (often at no cost or low cost).
Regular Preventive Care: When health care is far away, expensive, or difficult to access, children are less likely to receive regular preventive care. School-based health centers offer care where the children are — in schools.
Keeping Children in School: School-based health centers help keep children in school and ready to learn, treating acute and chronic health problems immediately and returning students to class as soon as possible.
Strong Parent and School Support: When parents give permission for their child to be seen at a school-based health center, they know they will not have to miss work to care for minor problems, and that their child will receive prompt attention from health providers trained at working with youth.
Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County receives an Award at the Fall Conference on October 3-4th for over 10 years of services. Regina Butts Executive Director also recognized Mr. Tatnall Butts the previous Executive Director for his many years of services provided to students and families of this community.
Pictured: Ms.Regina Butts of Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County, Inc. with Communities In Schools of Georgia President Ms. Carol Lewis.
“Beyond 2020 :Get Georgia Reading Summit”
Two-thirds of Georgia’s third-graders are not reading on grade level, bringing long-term negative consequences to these children, their families, their communities, and our state. Unwilling to yield any longer to the unspeakable rate of illiteracy in Georgia, hundreds of public and private leaders from across the state and across sectors have come together to take on third-grade reading as an urgent priority for all who care about children’s health and well-being. Together, we developed a four-pillar framework outlining the conditions necessary for every child in Georgia to become a proficient reader by the end of third grade, paving the way to improved outcomes throughout school and life.
On September 26-27, 2019, Hancock County Get Georgia Reading Team participated in a two “Beyond 2020 :Get Georgia Reading Summit” at the Stone Mountain Resort at Stone Mountain, Ga. Hancock County has been a Get Georgia Reading Community since June 2016. Since this time Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County, Inc. and their partners has made great strives to provide reading support to make sure our third grade students are reading proficiently on third grade level.
Ms. Regina Butts of Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County was presented and award from the National Office of Campaign for Grade Level Reading. Ms. Butts was presented the “Big Spot Light” award for the work performed her community with partners. Attending the conference was Regina Jackson of HealthMPower, Annie Ingram-Hancock County Board of Education, Chair and Chambree Harris, HHIP Coordinator, Akia Lewis, Georgia Family Connection Partnership and Ron Faircloth from National Grade Level Reading.
Back to School Supply Drive – Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 9AM to Noon
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 27, 2019.
M. E. LEWIS, SR. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRESENTS ITS 1ST PUBLISHING PARTY
Christmas Assistance 2018 – Applications accepted through November 30, 2018
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Assistance with primary heating source
Read for a Bike. K-5 you can WIN a bike!
Washington Electric Foundation donates in the amount of $1,663 for two sets of recess equipment.
Kick Off Read Across Georgia Month During Get Georgia Reading Day at the Capitol on March 5
Hancock County Students and Teachers Rev Up for NEA’s Read Across America Day
Seven Georgia Family Connection Collaboratives Awarded Early Language and Literacy Mini-Grants
Georgia Students Learn the Importance of Education Through “The Choice Bus”
Hancock County read, read to succeed, has made it to the Get Georgia Read Campaign.
Back to School Supply Giveaway
Thank you for Helping!
August 7, 2017
2017 WIC Farmer’s Market
FREE! First come, first serve
June 29, 2017 at 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
Tech on Tuesday at OFTC
Are you ready for a great career?
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
10:00am and 6:00pm
Calling all Artists!
FREE Workshop
Saturday, January 28, 2017
10:30am – 12:30pm
Hancock County Library
On Thursday, January 16th Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County, Inc. Executive Director Awarded three programs who are strong supporters of students birth to age (8) eight in the area of literacy and health.
Join us at Sparta Challenge…Pushing for Change 5K Run/Walk & Fun Run/Walk on November 26, 2016! We are asking for donations of new and/or gently used adults and children’s coats and donations for Helping Hands with providing non-perishable food items during the Sparta Challenge…Pushing for Change.
SPARTA\HANCOCK COUNTY COMMUNITY GROUPS & AMERI-GROUP OF GEORGIA ARE SPONSORING – “A WINTER WARM-UP” COATS! HATS! & MITTENS! DRIVE
ENJOY THE COCOA BAR STATION- FREE HOT CHOCOLATE FOR EVERYONE
Ferst Foundation Childhood Literacy E-Newsletter for February
FCCISH Board: Allen Haywood, Aketi Mayweather, School Board Chair- Annie Ingram, Head Start/Early Head Start/Pre-K Director – Dr. Angela Primus and Regina Butts, Executive Director for Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County, Inc.
The Family Connection-Communities In Schools of Hancock County, Inc. and partners for Get Georgia Reading/Hancock Early Childhood Health and Education Co-hort presented Hancock County Head Start/Early Head Start and Pre-K with a check for $600.00 to support early literacy at their site.
Funds from the co-hort will be used to introduce technology, and set up a media center at the M.E. Lewis Elementary School for the Head Start/Pre-K Students.