The Children's Initiative

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Ware County’s Family Connection Partnership
Curtis Brantley, Executive Director
Children’s Initiative Collaborative Meeting Minutes, November 18, 2010

The November18 meeting of The Children’s Initiative Collaborative convened at 8:30 a.m. at
Okefenokee Technical College, Room 210. Everyone was welcomed and thanked for their exemplary collaborative efforts.
Please see page 3 for collaborative partner contact information.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to
utter words, but to live by them.
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Dear friends,
As I was talking to a small group of partners who arrived early to our November meeting, the discussion led to the
many challenges of improving results for kids who come from generations of dysfunctional families. With all the good
work being done to help children, many times it gets “undone” when the child goes home. Dr. Glyn Thomas (Executive
Director of Satilla Community Services and Children’s Initiative Board Member) used the term norming. For example, to
some sub-groups, binge drinking is the norm for them. Other sub-groups may think that watching seven hours of
television a day is normal, because that is what happens in their homes. We have to find ways to teach families healthy
norms. As partners arrived for our 8:30 a.m. meeting, they joined in the discussion. There are no easy answers, but it
was obvious from the dialog that we are all committed to continuing to find ways to improve the lives of the children and
families in Ware County. This is the type of discussion that will continue to drive our collaborative's planning process.
Our November meeting was a perfect time for us to talk about the many blessings in our lives. I asked partners to
share something that they are thankful for, and it was obvious that we are a blessed group of people. Our November
meeting was also our last collaborative meeting of 2010. With busy schedules getting even busier with the holidays and
the end of the year approaching, we voted to cancel our December 16 collaborative meeting. We will resume our monthly
meetings on January 20, 2011!
November’s meeting also provided me an opportunity to share the news of my upcoming retirement at the end of my
current contract, June 30, 2011. Announcing my decision to retire at this time allows ample time for a smooth transition.
Serving as Executive Director of The Children’s Initiative for nearly 20 years has been one of my greatest blessings. I
consider each of you not only a friend, but part of my family, and it is truly a privilege to work with you. I look forward
to our continued partnership as we collaboratively work together in 2011 to better serve the children and families of Ware
County. Thank you again for allowing me to be part of this incredible collaborative; I am truly blessed.
Curtis
Easter Seals/Megan’s House Boys to Men
Easter Seals Southern Georgia received $100,000 in The Boys to Men Organization provides information to
September from the federal government to open a third boys that will help them make good choices throughout
Megan’s House. This is the first time federal money has their lives. The information is presented through
ever been designated for respite. The House, located in workshops, fieldtrips and mentoring. The program uses
Valdosta, is on track to open January 2011. Megan’s two church vans to transport boys to and from meetings
House is a children’s respite home for families of and outings. However, there are more boys needing
children with developmental disabilities. A child can transportation than the vans can provide. If you know of
stay for a day or up to a week so the family can receive a available transportation for the program, please call
temporary break from their care giving responsibilities. Pastor Anderson.
A Megan’s House is currently located in Waycross and
Albany.
Salvation Army Christmas Distribution
Magnolia House Donation Drop-Off Volunteers are needed!
1303 Gilmore St., Suite A December 22, Grace Chapel Church, 1710 Osceola
All donations are tax deductible. Monetary donations can 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Please call the Salvation Army if
be mailed to PO Box 1824, Waycross, GA 31502 you would like to volunteer (285-7237)

Weaving a seamless system through our common threads for the families of Ware County. 1
Concerted Services, Inc. YMCA. The YMCA held a canned food and turkey
A.V. Kennedy Early Head Start drive in November. The “Y” family delivered meals to
A.V. Kennedy EHS held their Turkey Trot November 19 deserving families in time for Thanksgiving. YMCA
at the YMCA track. This event was a fun time for staff, Reindeer Run 2010: The YMCA Reindeer 1 Mile Fun
children and their families to exercise together! The Run (8:30 a.m.) & 5K (9:00 a.m.) will be held Saturday,
annual Jingle Bell Jog will be held in December. EHS Dec. 11. Team Lean: Start the new year off right by
has 44 slots available for pregnant women and children registering for the YMCA Team Lean-Win by Losing
(six weeks to three years of age). All slots are filled, but Program. Teams of four to five people will be
applications are still being accepted. competing to lose the highest number of inches from
Hazard Hill Early Head Start Expansion Site January 12 to March 16, 2011. Cash prizes and gift
The expansion site offers an additional 40 slots for baskets will be awarded to the top teams and individuals
pregnant teens and their children (six weeks to three at the end of the competition. There is a fee for each
years of age). The expansion site is full, but applications team. Call Crystal Winn at the “Y” for details.
are still being accepted. MCHC has an outreach office at
the Hazard Hill EHS facility. Coordinated Christmas Assistance Initiative
Head Start This was the second year of our collaborative's
Head Start will hold Teach Me Daddy December 10. coordinated Christmas Assistance Initiative to make sure
This event provides an opportunity for dad or a the number of families served is maximized by avoiding
significant male in the child’s life to spend time reading duplication. The Salvation Army serves as the
with a child. If there is not a significant male in the clearinghouse. Christmas gifts will be provided to
child’s life, the mother is encouraged to attend. Santa children ages 12 and under. Three hundred names were
will be visiting the Head Start Center December 14. submitted by the Ware County School System staff,
Head Start staff is also gearing up for the federal review thirty names by Head Start staff, and two names from
that will be conducted in 2011. Two Head Start staff Early Head Start staff. Angels (representing children)
members are trained to teach the Family Development will be placed on Christmas trees throughout the
Credential (FDC) Program. FDC was established to community as well as at the Salvation Army office.
teach front-line family workers how to apply Cornell
University research on the ecology of human Angel Food
development and parental empowerment with their Angel Food may be purchased and donated to an
families and communities, and to teach agency leaders to individual or to a local food pantry. There are no
effectively reorient policies and systems. Ashli Davis eligibility requirements. The December 18 distribution
has taken the course and shared that she learned how to will be held at Central Baptist Church. Please call The
listen more attentively in conversation with families in Children’s Initiative office for more information.
order to learn and point out the family’s strengths.
Beverly Hayes visited our collaborative for the first time Ware County Schools
in November–welcome Beverly! Special Education Department: A Meet & Greet for
parents of kids who fall in the Autism Spectrum will be
Exchange Club/ SGRC-WIA held December 9 from 6:30-7:30 pm. at Memorial Drive
Ginger Peagler recently moved back to Ware County Elementary School. A goal of this event is to establish
from Macon, and she attended her first Children’s an Autism Support Group. Planning is underway for
Initiative Collaborative meeting in November–welcome Autism Awareness Month in April; more information to
Ginger! Ginger is with the South Georgia Regional come. Autism is now recognized as an epidemic by the
Commission-WIA Program. She assists at-risk high CDC. In Ware County, 53 students fall on the Autism
school seniors; the program has helped 23 students Spectrum. Ware County High School: Great football
graduate. Ginger also is a member of the Exchange season Gators! Congratulations! Senior Interview Day
Club. Child abuse prevention is a national project for went very well; thanks to community volunteers for
the club, and Ginger is excited about being a part of the participating! Volunteers are needed January 7 for the
collaborative. next Report Card Conference day. Everyone is welcome
to stop by and see the great things going on at Ware
YMCA County High School!
On Tuesday November 23, the YMCA partnered with
Applebee's Restaurant for the Cobble Wobble Fall Copies of the Teen Maze 2010 DVD will be available
Festival. Face painting, games, and activities took place soon! To view the DVD, visit http://www.ware.k12.ga.us/
from 2:00 p.m. until dark. On November 23 & 24 and click on the Teen Maze 2010 button. Many thanks to
Dining to Donate gave families the opportunity to have a the WCHS students and staff for making this DVD!
percentage of their Applebee’s bill donated to the
Weaving a seamless system through our common threads for the families of Ware County. 2
Regional Youth Detention Center
The RYDC is a 30-bed facility, and it is usually full or
over capacity. The Deputy Commissioner recently
noticed that larger facilities in Macon and Savannah OTC staff recently introduced its new logo to the
were under capacity, and he initiated the process of community-great new look! As part of OTC’s efforts to
moving youth from overcrowded facilities to less support the community, the Student Government
crowded facilities. The Ware RYDC now has 22 youth, Association (SGA) participated once again in the
14 less than a month ago. This is a great improvement Salvation Army food drive. Faculty, staff, and students
for the youth and staff. Having people from the contributed food items during the month of November.
community speak to the youth at RYDC is very Okefenokee Tech has articulation agreements with four
beneficial. Recently, an inmate from the prison came colleges: Valdosta State University, Southern
and spoke to the group, and his presentation made a big Polytechnic State University, South Georgia College,
impact on the youth. Speakers are always needed. and Waycross College. These agreements make it easier
Please contact Steven Middleton if you can help. for students to transfer their work to another institution
and to pursue a baccalaureate degree. Work continues
Diversified Resources, Inc.-SOURCE towards transitioning OTC from the quarter system to
Tammy Brannen visited our collaborative for the first the semester system. Dr. Gail Thaxton, President of
time in November – welcome Tammy! Diversified OTC and member of The Children’s Initiative Board of
Resources, Inc. is the Aging and Disability resource Directors, was unable to attend the meeting. On her
connection for people of all ages, including children. behalf, Dr. Steve Pearce extended greetings to
The goal of the program is to reduce the number of collaborative partners.
people placed in nursing homes and to reduce the
number of visits to the emergency room by people with November 18 Collaborative Meeting Attendance
chronic illness by providing services in the home. Boys to Men (285-7115): Pastor Nathaniel Anderson
Eligibility screenings are available. Some programs Children’s Initiative (284-2954): Curtis Brantley,
require the participant to be on Medicaid, but some do Tammy Rudd
not. SOURCE works by forming a close partnership Children’s Initiative Board: Dr. Glyn Thomas
between an individual’s physician, SOURCE case Concerted Services, Inc., A. V. Kennedy Early Head
managers, and formal and informal providers of support (285-0500): Ashli Davis, Early Head Start Expansion
services delivered in private homes and at other (490-0152): Lydia Boggs, Head Start-Reba McCuller
community sites. (284-0369), Beverly Hayes
Diversified Resources, Inc. (285-3089): Tammy
Apply Now for Spring 2011 Brannen
Albany State University Satilla Community Services (449-7103): Dr. Glyn
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at Waycross College Thomas, Tiffany Henderson
What the Program Offers Okefenokee Technical College (287-5818): Dr. Steve
 All classes on Waycross College Campus Pearce
 Financial Aid Available Regional Youth Detention Center (287-6680): Steve
 Administrative staff and faculty on WC Campus Middleton
from 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. South Georgia Regional Commission-WIA/Exchange
Admission Requirements Club (285-6097): Ginger Peagler
Ware County Schools: Debi Jones-Social Worker
 Earned Associate Degree (from a SACS accredited
(283-8656), Jann James-Special Ed (287-2306), Kim
institution)
Callahan-Work-Based Learning-WCHS (287-2351, ext.
 2.50 GPA
132)
 Proof of passing Regent’s Exam
Waycross College Albany State University Social
 Three letters of recommendation Work Program (287-6771): Dr. Betty Morris
Contact Information YMCA (285-8660): Jill Sloan
Dr. Betty Morris: 287-6771
Se’Lena Wingfield: 287-6770

Weaving a seamless system through our common threads for the families of Ware County. 3