Wayne County Family Connection invites area service providers and community leaders to write columns for weekly publication in The Press Sentinel. If you provide a service or have information you feel would be helpful to Wayne County citizens and would like to submit copy for publication please call our office at 912-385-2057 or email our office at info@waynehelp.com.
- Wayne County Fair Haven Happenings —
- Recovery is Real in Wayne County..Pictured (left to right: Jeff Breedlove, Renee Bolin, Shauna Mattingly, Cameron Mattingly Jeff Breedlove, with Georgia Council for Recovery, travels around our state advocating for recovery services. He stopped by Anchored in Wellness (Feb 21) to learn more about Wayne County and the efforts that are being made in regards to recovery and prevention. Renee Bolin, along with Shauna and Cameron Mattingly, were also in attendance and shared with Breedlove the ongoing services and initiatives that are taking place and being implemented throughout the community via Anchored in Wellness, the Wayne County Recovery Coalition, and other community partners. After the…
- Congratulations to WCRC!Congratulations to the Wayne County Recovery Coalition on their recent ribbon cutting ceremony with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Jesup, GA! Anchored is the home base for the Wayne County Recovery Coalition which is a partnership of men and women in recovery, community partners, and professionals that collaborate for services and prevention. Wayne County Family Connection is committed to seeing these organizations, among many others, succeed in their missions and will continue to support our partnerships in our efforts of connecting Wayne County citizens to available resources. We are excited that WCRC has joined us as fellow chamber members….
- Wayne County Family Connection Attends…“Shine The Light: On Human Trafficking” “Shine The Light on Human Trafficking” was a seminar on learning how to protect our youth. The seminar was presented by Jesup Rotary, Anchored Junior Board, The Lily & The Sparrow, and Safe Harbor. With more than 50 citizens and community partners in attendance, guests speakers shared the unfortunate reality of human trafficking in Wayne County and the concern of increase in cases, impacts on children and families, as well as how citizens and community partners can assist in change.Dominque P. Farmer, with Safe Harbor, spoke about the facts of human trafficking; what it…
- 2022 Kid’s Count Data Book
STATE TRENDS IN CHILD WELL-BEING by the Annie B. Casey Foundation Excerpts from the new report and link to the downloadable book below. We’ve all been through a lot since COVID-19 emerged two and a half years ago. Schools went virtual. So did many jobs, while others vanished, and the economy convulsed. We isolated ourselves and our families. The health care system buckled, even as doctors, nurses, researchers and others strove tirelesslyto save lives. By July 2022, over 1 million people in America had died from the novel coronavirus, including more than 1,600 children. Over 200,000 kids in the United… - Food Give-away, Back to School and MOREThe IMPACT Trailer will be hitting the streets Wednesday July 13th in Jesup, GA! Are you or someone you know in need of hygiene items, cleaning supplies, or paper products? Send them by the Wayne County Farmers Market July 13th from 10 AM- NOON. Items may vary and are limited. Sunday, July 31st : Turning Point is excited to announce we have partnered with Wayne Housing Partners for our 2022 Back to School Bash! The day will be filled with FREE school supplies with backpack, food, snow cones, cotton candy, haircuts, nail painting for the ladies and so much…
- Point-In-Time (PIT) CountA Point-In-Time Count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness on a determined date. Some PIT counts are conducted over a one night period, while others are counted as long as 10 days. It always depends on your community’s needs and resources! The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, requires PIT counts of “sheltered” individuals yearly, and “unsheltered” individuals at least every two years to receive any federal funding. These counts can be done more often, but PIT counts require a lot of volunteers and cooperation from individuals experiencing homelessness. Both these funds and…
- Evidence-Based Home Visiting ProgramGeorgia’s Evidence-Based Home Visiting (EBHV) Program, under the Georgia Department of Public Health,provides new parents the supports they may need when having a baby. EBHV gives at-risk pregnant women,new moms, and families with children 0-5 years old the skills they need to raise healthy children.1 The overallgoals of home visiting programs are to: • increase healthy pregnancies,• improve parenting skills,• improve child health and development,• strengthen family connectedness to community support, and reduce child abuse and neglect. *Information above is quoted from the image from georgiavoices.org
- Head Start and Early Head Start Now Recruiting!Apply today! Space is limited for children under 5 to receive free quality pre-school and family resources through the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.
- Check & ConnectBy Iman Johnson Check and Connect is a comprehensive intervention designed to improve student engagement at school and with learning for marginalized, disengaged students in grades K-12, through relationship building, problem solving and capacity building, and persistence. Although it was designed for grades K-12, it is currently only being implemented in the Wayne County School System for grades 6-12. It has four main components: A Mentor, who works with students and families for a minimum of two years. Check, this includes weekly checks, utilizing data schools already collect on student’s school adjustment, behavior and academic progress. Connect, includes timely…
- Youth Transition Camp Offered During April Break in Wayne CountyLIFE, Inc is pleased to be offering a four session skill building and transition camp to eligible Juniors and Seniors from Wayne County High School during April vacation. To participate, students must currently be in either 11th or 12th Grade at WCHS and have a disability. Sessions will run Mon 4/18, Tue 4/19, Wed 4/20 and Friday 4/22 from 9:30 – 12:03 pm. The Monday through Wednesday sessions will be held at our Jesup office, 990 N Macon St (in the rear of the Goodwill Building). Our Friday location will be held at an alternate location (to be determined). Topics…
- Collaborative Unites to Provide Bike for CPTC StudentSubmitted by Kate Nichols When a person displays immense tenacity, resilience, and perseverance in the face of a challenge, it is impossible for such traits to go unnoticed. Michael Deegan, Adult Education Instructor at Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC), observed just this kind of determination in one of his students in the GED program who, lacking any other form of transportation, walks over three miles each way to attend her classes. “She is a hardworking and driven mother that is determined to obtain her GED and matriculate into the college here at Coastal Pines, but she faces many obstacles,” explained…
- DFCS UpdateSubmitted by Kate Nichols Like so many other brick and mortar businesses and organizations, the Wayne County Department of Family and Children Services closed the doors in March 2020 and began operating remotely for the safety of the staff and the community members they serve. They found creative solutions to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and continued providing services through virtual channels. While this allowed Wayne County DFCS to continue serving the community during the height of the pandemic, now that a sense of new normalcy is on the horizon, the staff is available to meet with…
- STOPit App Expands to CommunitySubmitted by Kate Nichols As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to an end, it is important to remember that mental health issues impact the lives of many of our community members every day of the year. Wayne County Family Connection, in partnership with Wayne Memorial Hospital and Rayonier Advanced Materials, is excited to share a new community-wide reporting tool that will connect individuals who have concerns regarding mental health problems and substance use disorders with local and regional resources that can help. STOPit Solutions is a leading technology company that promotes public and personal safety by providing anonymous reporting systems…
- Growing better togetherBy Rachel Autry (Editor’s note: Rachel Autry is the advocacy and recruitment coordinator for Tri-County CASA.) This month, April, is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a month dedicated to taking notice of—and working to change—a large problem in our communities. Child abuse can be sexual, physical, emotional or mental, and in some cases, a victim will experience more than one kind of abuse. Child abuse often goes hand-in-hand with child neglect, and neither crime is limited to a “certain part” of the population. It’s a problem that transcends racial boundaries—with Caucasian children slightly more likely to be victims than African-American, Hispanic…
- A number of services are available through LIFE Inc.By Marquise Morgan LIFE Inc.’s Jesup office is proud to share news of some of our recent developments within Wayne County with our Family Connection partners. We have had success working with the Area Agency on Aging to deploy ramps to various people, including a “Mrs. A” right here in Jesup. We also have developed a new service program centered around assisting people with COVID related expenses. Mrs. A’s LIFE Story Ms. A of Wayne County was one of our later AAA referrals, but nonetheless we were able to help her promptly after receiving the AAA info. Mrs. A was…
- COVID-19 Crisis Has Exacerbated Lack of Access…FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 14, 2020 COVID-19 Crisis Has Exacerbated Lack of Access to Health Care and Housing Insecurity for Vulnerable Families and Children in Georgia Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey results show how families in Georgia are coping during the coronavirus pandemic—data reveal food, income, and housing insecurity; mental health concerns; and a lack of access to health care ATLANTA—Georgia has the highest percentage in the nation of families with children concerned about losing their housing in the next month due to income loss from the pandemic, according to Kids, Families, and COVID-19: Pandemic Pain Points and the Urgent…
- Coping with the Holiday SeasonWhile Christmas is known as “the most wonderful time of the year”, it can also be a catalyst for stress, pressure, and conflict for many people. Some are feeling overwhelmed by the expectations, COVID 19, family issues, etc. and become depressed during the holidays. A lack of time, money, and the pressure of gift giving can often contribute to stress. I’m sure we all can relate in some form or fashion. Ultimately, it can take quite a toll on our mental health trying to keep the merry and joyous season all straight in our head. We’d like to share some…
- Give Your Child a ‘Head Start’ for Fundamental SuccessHead Start is a quality child care service provided to three, four and five year olds founded by the Georgia Head Start Association to help these students become prepared for kindergarten. Fortunately, they have partnered with other agencies including Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority, Inc. to provide services in Wayne and surrounding counties. Since 1967, Coastal GA Area Community Action Authority, Inc. has been providing a pathway to self-sufficiency for individuals facing challenging times. With the COVID pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, Head Start gives children the opportunity to continue to learn. Head Start students are provided educational…
- DFCS Still Open for BusinessMany businesses have faced hardships since the pandemic causing some local small businesses to close their doors in Wayne County. Comparingly, we have also seen many businesses show their resilience by coming up with new ways to generate business and keep the same happy customers! We wanted to highlight a great organization that has done just that for the past several months. Regina Fraser, Director of Wayne County Family and Children Services, states, “As the front doors to the Department of Family and Children Services building have been locked since March, we want to remind the public that we are…
- November is National Home Care and Hospice MonthThis month, we want to recognize the dedicated professionals who make a daily difference in the lives of the people they serve. These caregivers come in many roles from therapists and aids, administrators and nurses, CNAs and social workers. Their compassion and attention to detail improve the lives of every resident under their care. Their patience and time provide improved quality of life and peace of mind for family members. The month celebrates these qualities and so much more. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) is the largest and most-respected trade association representing the nation’s home care…
- Family Connection Organizations Seek VolunteersMartin Luther King Jr. once said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What you are doing for others?” There is just something special about devoting your time to make a difference in your community. There are a lot of Partnerships within the Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative that could use volunteers. One of our greatest needs is with Tri-County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). A CASA volunteer is an individual that has an independent voice in court who advocates solely for the best interest of the child. The CASA volunteer spends significant time getting to know the child, as well…
- Fair Haven Market helps those in needBy Kristen Balding (Editor’s note: Kristen Balding is the outreach and awareness coordinator for Fair Haven. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.) If you’re a native of Wayne County, you’re probably very familiar with Fair Haven Market– an eclectic thrift store located in the heart of Jesup right across the train tracks. You may have even heard of their daily sales, including their “Quarter Clothing Sale”, where most clothing can be purchased for only .25, but what you may not be aware of is the purpose behind your purchase and the difference that you’re making by choosing to shop at…
- BeThe1To Campaign RecapThe BeThe1To campaign offers awareness of how you can help people through their struggles of everyday life. The following images are for Wayne County Family Connection’s social media pages. You can view them and read the 5 Steps of the BeThe1To campaign on the Articles tab of our website. Our community can help one another with asking their friends and families about their mental health when they see them struggling: Show someone in your life how much you care for them and that you’re glad they’re in your life: Keep our community safe by knowing about the resources available to…
- Resource Directory Serving as Help Desk for CommunityFamilies and friends all over Southeast Georgia are in search of more resources to support themselves through this difficult year. With over 120 listings in our Resource Directory, people can search for their needs using keywords or the advanced search option. After that, it will populate a list of customized resources based on your search along with contact information. The directory also gives you 36 different categories to choose from based on the assistance you are looking for. They include: Children & Youth Services Education / Training Disabilities Mental Health Volunteer Opportunities Senior Citizens Teen & Young Adults Job Assistance Veteran…
- Wayne County Schools educate students on suicide awareness115 Columbia Suicide Rating Scales were completed on students who were referred to the Counseling Department this past school year. As a result of the rating scale evaluations, 31 students were hospitalized for further evaluation. Over 150 students were referred to outside counseling services for ongoing treatment. As we near the end of September, Wayne County High School Crisis Counselor, JoAnne Roach, and School Psychologist, Kori LeFree, created a way for students to get involved and learn more about Suicide Prevention month. With the recent pandemic, mental health conditions continue to rise in this unprecedented time. They saw this as the perfect opportunity to…
- #BeThe1To – Follow UpAs we come to the end of discussing the 5 Steps in the #BeThe1To campaign, we can only hope that our articles have made an impact in our community. Last week, we talked about the importance of helping people connect. Connecting with resources in their community ensures they get the help they need. For this last week, we will consider the ways one can follow up. Following up with a person can provide a further feeling of being connected. The follow up step is similar to the principle of being there because all the steps are interconnected. It’s challenging to…
- #BeThe1To Help Them ConnectWe are coming to the end of discussing the 5 Steps in the #BeThe1To campaign with the 4th step this week. Last week we talked about the importance of keeping them safe. This week, we will give you a few ways of how to help someone connect with resources in the community to get the assistance they need. Ways to Help Someone Connect Helping someone connect with ongoing supports like groups, organizations, or our Mental Health Task Force number (912-530-8889) can help them establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis. Additional components of a safety…
- #BeThe1To – Keep Them SafeLast week, we discussed the importance of being there for someone in need. This week, we are discussing ways to keep them safe while they are going through this hard time in their life. So, you’ve asked them questions and you let them know you are there for them. Now it’s important to find out a few things to establish immediate safety if needed. Questions such as, “Have they already done something that could be harmful?” or “Do they know of something that might happen?” would be great to know so that you can take precautionary measures. Their answers to…
- Training That Can Impact Your CommunityHosted by: Share Health Southeast Georgia and the Wayne County Substance Abuse Coalition TRAINING DETAILS WHEN: Tuesday, September 15, 2020 — 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM WHERE: TBD – if virtual you will receive a zoom link by email 2 weeks in advance CONTACT: Addison Mickens – amickens@sharehealthsega.org REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO ATTENDClick here to register! What is Connections Matter? Connections Matter is designed to engage community members in building caring connections to improve resiliency. The Connections Matter Georgia initiative is a collaboration with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. Why Attend the Training? •…
- #BeThe1To Be ThereThe next step in our campaign consists of a simple way to show those around you that you care. We are going to be there for them during this hard time. By simply being there for them, either physically, through a phone call, text, or a special little written note, etc., you are showing your support to their need. An important aspect of this step is to make sure you follow through with what you said you were going to do. If you support the person, make sure that they know what it is you are doing. It can be…
- #BeThe1To AskOne of the hardest things to do is admit you have a problem. However, in a crucial situation like suicide, it could be the difference between life or death. How will a person ever be able to admit they have a problem if they are never asked about it in the first place? This isn’t something we can sweep under the rug. That’s why our first step may be the most important – Ask. Why ask? It shows the person that you are open to talking about their problems, you are ready to acknowledge their pain alongside them, care, be…
- Interested in Head Start or Pre-K?By Lynn Robinson (Editor’s note: Lynn Robinson is the family services worker for Wayne County Head Start & Pre-K, a service provided by the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority.) Will your child be 3 or 4 on or before Sept. 1? Immunizations current? Proof of income for the last 12 months (W-2 or three consecutive recent pay stubs, SSI, SSA, child support, or other)? No income? We have paperwork for you to use to complete the enrollment process. Come to Wayne County Head Start and Pre-K. This federally funded national program provides comprehensive child developmental services to children. Head…
- #Bethe1ToWayne County Family Connection has been doing a lot in our community during this time that has been affected by Covid-19. Our focus has been on mental health awareness throughout Wayne County. and what can be done to bring more awareness in hopes of removing the stigma associated with mental health. May is Mental Health awareness month, established in the United States in 1949. One way to bring awareness has been implemented in Wayne County High School as they put into action the “Be The 1 To” campaign. Wayne County Family Connection would like to join with WCHS and challenge…
- Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative Celebrates Rayonier Advanced Materials $12,500 Gift for “Mental Health Task Force” Initiative Amid COVID-19JESUP, GA. – May 7, 2020 – Amid a growing need for resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wayne County Family Connection Collaborative announced today that Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (NYSE: RYAM) contributed $12,500 to its Mental Health Task Force Committee—an initiative that is focusing on areas of mental health, substance abuse, student success and homelessness in Wayne County. The grant was made through Rayonier Advanced Materials’ charitable arm, the RYAM Foundation. “We’re immensely grateful for Rayonier Advanced Materials’ generous contribution and we look forward to putting their dollars into action,” said Lana D. Wright, Executive Director at the…
- Make a difference in the life of a child!Make a difference in the life of a child! (Editor’s note: Rachel Autry is the advocacy and recruitment coordinator for Tri-County CASA Inc.) The month of April recognizes national child abuse prevention awareness and education. COVID-19 is preventing many of those who normally see children on a daily basis from doing so. It is more important than ever to be those eyes and ears of our community. Along with community partners, here is how one agency is doing its part. Tri-County CASA Inc. volunteers have been advocating for the foster children of Appling, Wayne and Jeff Davis counties for more…
- Interested in Head Start or pre-K?By Lynn Robinson (Editor’s note: Lynn Robinson is a family services worker for the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority, which operates Wayne County Head Start & Pre-K.) Will your child be 3 or 4 on or before Sept. 1? Are immunizations current? Do you have proof of income for the last 12 months (W2 or three consecutive recent paystubs, SSI, SSA, child support or other)? Do you have no income? We have paperwork for you to use to complete the enrollment process. Come to Wayne County Head Start and Pre-K. This federally funded national program provides comprehensive child developmental…
- Student sees need for suicide preventionBy Lana Wright (Editor’s note: Lana Wright is the executive director of Wayne County Family Connection.) The following excerpt is from an essay is submitted by a 10th-grade student at Wayne County High School to bring awareness to a current social problem we have in our community: mental health. The essay is heart-wrenching but at the same time provides a valuable insight to what some of our students are feeling. Wayne County Family Connection’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 2020 includes a goal of combating the current mental health issues within our community. As you read this essay, please be…
