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| Vol. II, No. 1, November 21, 2003 | |
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Outstanding
Collaborative Achievement in Family Involvement
WrapAround is a nationally recognized best practice used to help communities develop individualized plans of care to meet the needs of children and families. The Houston County Family Connection collaborative, Kids' Journey, engaged eight advisory families to help design the WrapAround service model and process for its local community. The families have taken an active role in the development and success of the WrapAround program. They participated in training conducted by the national experts and community partnering agencies, helped design a plan to evaluate outcomes of the implementation phase, and served on the grant implementation committee. The families also assisted in defining and developing responsibilities for several committees including the quality assurance, community resource development, long range financing, and risk management committee. The families also are actively involved in the collaborative. Three of the family advisors serve on the Board of Trustees for Kids' Journey, and one is a collaborative partner. Others families participate in the annual legislative forum and discuss the WrapAround Program, family involvement, and the unique needs of families in the community. The families often are called upon to provide guidance and input for other programs or grants applied for by Kids' Journey. Partnering agencies include the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Family and Children Services, Volunteer Houston County/Communities in Schools of Houston County, Phoenix Center Behavioral Health Services, and the Houston County School System. Although WrapAround is sponsored by Kids' Journey, the program and process is owned by the Collaborative Partnership. Through the implementation of WrapAround, the county is beginning to see systems changes in the way services are delivered to families and a wider acceptance of families as equal partners in the service delivery system.
Outstanding
Collaborative Achievement in Youth Involvement
The Catoosa Teen Council has made several contributions to the community this year. The group conducted a "Try and Buy" alcohol sales survey in cooperation with the local sheriff's department. Through the survey, the council members recognized the easy access to alcohol for youth and the problems associated with alcohol abuse in the county. The youth council has operated a weekend teen center for more than two years, providing a safe and fun place for teens on Friday and Saturday nights. The teenagers set the schedule for youth and adult volunteers to work. The teen center currently is located in the senior center. Teen council members attend a local youth leadership program in the fall. Ten members attended the Georgia Teen Institute at Oxford College last summer, while some presented workshops during the Institute. Teens also developed a plan to address teen pregnancy in the county and are currently participating in the newly formed Adolescent Health Task Force in Catoosa County. The Catoosa Teen Council members are: Justin Tinker, Stephanee Orr, Christina Snyder, Cody Adler, Rachel Scott, Nathan Lyons, Mandy Parton, Graham Ware, Sam West, Alex Lewis, Stephanie Elrod, and Jolene Black. Parent advisors are: Wendy Orr, Capi Chambers and Sherry Parton.
Outstanding
Achievement as Collaborative Partner
General Mills in Newton County represents the local business community as a collaborative partner of the Newton County Community Partnership. General Mills contributes to the collaborative's vision and long-range planning by helping to engage leadership from area businesses, schools, community organizations, government agencies, grass roots organizations, and interested citizens. Cindy Hultine, plant manager of General Mills in Newton County, serves on the collaborative's Executive Board and is chair of Strategic Planning. Through the Workforce Investment Board, Hultine has helped design a Regional Planning Summit, where leaders from the economic, workforce, community, and youth development arenas join 13 other counties to benefit youth. Nearly 20 Newton County leaders attended the last Summit. According to General Mills, one if its Plant Values is, "To make a positive impact in education, arts, culture, health and social action through employee involvement, volunteerism, and contributions in a manner which benefits the local community." Through the General Mills Foundation and others, the Covington plant contributes more than $250,000 each year in grants to Newton County nonprofits. For the past 13 years, the company has supported local organizations with more than $2.2 million. Nearly $342,000 in scholarships has been awarded over the past five years. The company awarded nearly $76,000 last year to local schools. The General Mills Foundation recently awarded $50,000 to the Newton County Community Partnership to administer and evaluate a community-based nutrition and physical fitness prevention program. The "Fitness is Fun" program will be coordinated by the Partnership to implement nutrition and fitness education within already existing community-based programs. By using state Board of Education Quality Core Curriculum standards and the President's Challenge, the Newton County Health Department and the Covington Family YMCA will deliver consistent, developmentally appropriate training to children and families already participating in programs through the Newton County Juvenile Court, the Washington Street Community Center, the YMCA, and two elementary schools. The goal is to improve nutrition, health, and physical fitness for youth and families by leveraging resources and to establish new community standards and norms for health, nutrition and physical fitness.
Outstanding
Achievement as Collaborative Partner
Mayor James Worrall of the City of Perry has been active in Kids' Journey, the Houston County Family Connection collaborative, since it became a legislated authority. He has participated in planning sessions for the development and delivery of youth services in the Perry and South Houston County areas and the collaborative's strategic and annual operating plan planning sessions. Worrall serves on the Long Term Finance Plan Development and Implementation Team, participates in the planning of the collaborative's annual legislative forum, and speaks on behalf of Kids' Journey and Family Connection to state elected officials each year in support of continued funding. He supports community collaboration, coordination of services, and the decrease in duplication and competition among agencies. He also is working with the county and other city governments encouraging a more collaborative working process for our municipalities. Mayor Worrall is a champion of the delivery of health and human services locally. He encourages other council members from the City of Perry and other local governments to get involved in collaboration. Mayor Worrall is a member of the Perry Kiwanis Club and on several occasions sought the support of the group to provide for a special need or service for members of the community.
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