February 22, 2007 – On Wednesday, March 21, 2007, the Coweta County Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) will sponsor a job fair to provide parents new career opportunities and the chance to increase their wages. The job fair will be located at the Coweta County Fairgrounds at 275 Pine Road in Newnan, Georgia from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
February 21, 2007 – In a winning effort to reduce childhood preventable diseases in Georgia that are preventable by requiring recommended immunizations, the Georgia Department of Human Resources Board has approved additions to these requirements for children and adolescents. Effective July 1, all children attending child care, Pre-K, Head Start and school facilities must be vaccinated according to the immunization schedules approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP,) the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP,) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP.)
February 15, 2007 – More than 160 teens from 25 counties will join forces this weekend at the Georgia Youth in Charge Teen Tobacco Summit to gain knowledge of best practices in tobacco prevention and associated policy advocacy. Hosted at the Lake Lanier Islands Resort outside Atlanta, the summit will serve as both an educational conference as well as a launching point for a new campaign for tobacco-free schools in each of Georgia’s school districts.
February 15, 2007 – Athens residents are invited to participate in a Fatherhood Summit on March 13, 2007, where they can learn about the services offered by the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) and the Department of Technical Adult Education (DTAE). This event will provide an overview of the Georgia Fatherhood Program and a review of the new Child Support guidelines that went into affect on January 1, 2007.
February 14, 2007 - A town hall meeting is being held to discuss changes to Georgia’s new Medicaid vouchers for people with developmental disabilities. The Savannah forum is one of seven town hall meetings scheduled across the state to discuss the new changes.
February 14, 2007 – In Georgia, as many as 900,000 children are at risk of being removed from their families and becoming wards of the juvenile justice system due to their parents abuse of methamphetamine and other drugs. In light of this, the state has created the Georgia Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (GADEC) involving multiple social and child serving agencies who will work to intervene early and help keep families together.
February 13, 2007 – During National Condom Week, February 12 – 16, the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) is encouraging sexually active males to use latex condoms to prevent or reduce the risk of getting a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD.) Condom use demonstrates that a person cares enough about their partner to use protection against STDs and pregnancy.
February 8, 2007 – Georgia children and adolescents (C&A) with serious emotional disorders (SED) will benefit from a $ 21 million grant recently awarded to the State Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Addictive Diseases (MHDDAD) - the largest award Georgia has ever received for C&A mental health services. Historically, children with SED and their families have had limited options for recovery – children more often being served in long-term residential and institutional settings.
February 8, 2007 – Organizations and individuals in six key districts around Georgia have been chosen for excellent leadership in promoting the benefits of physical activity. Georgians turned out Tuesday night, January 30 in Macon to celebrate winners of the first Live Healthy Georgia Be Active Acknowledgement and Recognition (BAAR) Awards.
February 6, 2007 – After receiving complaints from Medicare beneficiaries about Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, GeorgiaCares SMP is encouraging Georgians to use caution, make informed healthcare decisions, and use the resources of GeorgiaCares SMP during the open enrollment period, January 1 – March 31.
February 1, 2007 - Mary MacDonald’s article “DeKalb’s haven for senior citizens looks for independence” (Metro Section, January 24) is very timely, coinciding with Georgia’s launch of “Own Your Future,” a campaign to educate midlife Americans about the importance of long-term care planning.
February 1, 2007 - Many people are unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms and wait too long before seeking help. Most heart attacks begin slowly with mild pain and discomfort. Would you know? February is Heart Health Month, and we are working hard to let Georgians know they need to seek treatment quickly when symptoms signaling a heart attack or stroke occur.
February 1, 2007 - The Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services (DAS) is encouraging Georgians to contribute to their local community through the Georgia Fund for Children and Elderly by checking the appropriate box on the State of Georgia Income Tax Form. The donations are tax deductible.
February 1, 2007 – Volunteers interested in becoming legal guardians for vulnerable adults will have the opportunity to attend an informational session in Albany, February 8-9, and in Valdosta on February 10. Guardians are appointed by the probate court to make decisions for an adult who has been found to be incapacitated and unable to make or communicate decisions concerning his or her health or safety, and who have no one else willing or able to serve as their guardians.