June 2008
WIC wants to hear from you
June 16, 2008 – The Georgia Department of Human Resources is pleased to announce that the state’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will hold its annual public comment period from July 14, 2008 until July 25, 2008. During this period, Georgians are invited to comment on the program and suggest ways to improve WIC services.
Vehicle registrations halted for those delinquent in child support
June 24, 2008 – The Jones County Tax Commissioner’s Office has joined the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) in taking measures that will deny or suspend vehicle registrations from parents delinquent in child support. Drivers in Jones County will soon be required to park their cars if they do not meet their child support obligation(s).
Tips to help older Georgians stay cool in extreme heat
June 23, 2008 – The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services is offering tips to help older adults stay cool and avoid heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Although heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, many people still succumb to extreme heat yearly. In fact, more than 8,000 people died from exposure to excessive heat in the United States from 1979 to 2003.
Roshelle McCrae receives customer service award
June 20, 2008 - Roshelle McCrae of Lakeland, Georgia, received the Customer Service Individual Award during Georgia Public Employee Recognition Week (PERW) in May. Government agencies across the state sponsored events May 5-9, 2008, to celebrate the achievements and outstanding service of their employees.
OCSS Fatherhood Program continues despite partnership change
June 27, 2008 – Due to funding limitations, the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) Fatherhood Program will be discontinuing its partnership with the Department of Technical Adult Education (DTAE) on June 30, 2008. However, OCSS’ Fatherhood Program will continue to offer training services to its participants who will remain unaffected. OCSS has contracted with DTAE, the Department of Labor, and the DeKalb County Fatherhood Initiative Network since the inception of the Fatherhood Program in 1997.
OCSS Call Center to service Metro Atlanta
June 25, 2008 – Effective July 1, the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS) will discontinue its partnership with the United Way 2-1-1 call center and operate its own call center. Earlier this year, OCSS merged each of the 39 published office numbers and directed them to one contact center. This approach has offered OCSS customers the opportunity to access a central information center and work directly with employees trained in call center techniques.
June is Home Safety Month and DHR urges older adults to practice safety to prevent injuries
June 3, 2008 – June is Home Safety Month and the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Aging Services is urging older adults to practice safety to prevent injuries. In 2005, there were 15,800 people 65 and older who died from injuries related to unintentional falls.
Georgians urged to get tested for HIV on June 27
June 25, 2008 – In observation of National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) on June 27, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, wants residents across the state to get screened for HIV. NHTD is an annual event that raises awareness about the importance of knowing one’s HIV status and the need to get tested. With Georgia ranking seventh in the nation for total number of persons living with HIV infection and sixth for AIDS’ cases in 2006, the Division of Public Health encourages all state residents to help reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS by getting tested and knowing their status.
Georgians among those affected by multi-state salmonella outbreak
June 13, 2008 – The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health has identified seven Salmonella Saintpaul cases in Georgia that match the nationwide outbreak. Georgia is one of 23 other states impacted by the outbreak. Six of the state’s cases are in the east metro Atlanta area and one case is in northeast Georgia. There are now 228 confirmed Salmonella Saintpaul cases nationwide.
Families meet children in-person or by videoconference at adoption event
June 24, 2008 - Approximately 20 children, each with the hope of finding a permanent family, and prospective adoptive families will have the opportunity to get acquainted at an adoption gathering and videoconference on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Northwest Georgia Trade & Convention Center in Dalton.
Department of Human Resources launches YouTube channel
June 9, 2008 -The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) has launched the agency’s official video channel on YouTube.com and is inviting all Georgia residents to subscribe to http://www.YouTube.com/dhrcomm for free information about its services and resources. DHR’s YouTube content will include information and educational videos from all its divisions and offices, as well as messages from agency partners that will benefit the quality of life of its viewers.
DHR urges you to wear purple for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 6, 2008 – The annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Sunday, June 15, 2008. On this day states, countries, and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) will be recognizing and raising awareness of disabled adults and persons 65 and older who suffer due to abuse, neglect or exploitation. People worldwide will be wearing purple to show that elder abuse is a global problem.
DHR urges seniors to prepare for the transition to all digital TV
June 3, 2008 – Is your television at risk of going blank after February 17, 2009? It is if you have an analog TV that receives free “over-the-air” programming with a roof-top antenna or “rabbit ears” and you don’t take steps now to prepare for the new all-digital broadcasting. The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Aging Services is joining the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in notifying consumers about the digital TV (DTV) transition.
DHR offers new tool to help residents quit smoking
June 25, 2008 – On July 1, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, will be launching a 12-month , pilot Nicotine Replacement Therapy program for clients of the Georgia QuitLine to decrease tobacco use among the state’s residents. DHR is collaborating with Free & Clear Inc. to offer the NRT program to Georgia QuitLine clients who reside in five public health districts.
DHR announces expanded substance abuse services for Emanuel County
June 26, 2008 – The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) is expanding substance abuse services for residents of Emanuel C ounty. Services will now include prevention and outpatient treatment along with current detox services provided by the Emanuel County Medical Center.
DHR Board to meet June 18, 2008 in Atlanta
June 12, 2008 – The Board of Human Resources will hold its official monthly meeting at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18th, in room 29.250, Two Peachtree Street N.W. in Atlanta , immediately following a review of the morning committee meetings. In its official meeting the board will hear reports from Department of Human Resources (DHR) Commissioner B. J. Walker and Board Chair Dr. Mary Burns. In addition, the board will hear a Physician Credentials Committee report and review DHR’s Strategic Initiatives.
Augusta OCSS to host a Fathers and Families Job Fair
June 1, 2008 – On Wednesday, June 4, 2008, the Augusta 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 held at 87 Milledge Road in Augusta, Georgia from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The job fair is open to all job seekers. Attendees are asked to dress professionally and to prepare to interview immediately on site.
After a disaster hits home, use precaution to avoid health risks
June 3, 2008 – Hurricane season just officially started June 1 but the state of Georgia has already been hit hard by various tornados and strong winds that have downed power lines and destroyed buildings. The Georgia Division of Public Health wants to remind residents to use precaution during clean-up activities and properly store food and water in order to prevent any health risks.
Fund Transfer Protects Foster Children
The impression that Georgia is cutting its mental health budget to pay for other services is misleading. I can see why people would think that reading the Journal-Constitution’s June 12 front page story (“Mental care funds at risk”). What was left out is the key to understanding the real story.
The Protection of Children
No child anywhere in this world should suffer what Amiya Brown suffered in the last weeks of her life. My deepest sympathies go to this child’s family and loved ones. Amiya died from a violent, criminal act allegedly at the hands of her own caretakers – a scenario the Department of Human Resources works very hard to prevent. But because child abuse is a criminal act committed in secret and covered by deception, there are some children the state cannot save.
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