April 2008
Town Hall meetings seek to address underage drinking
April 22, 2008 – During April, communities across Georgia will be hosting Town Hall Meetings to alert parents, teachers, youth and other concerned citizens about new research on the risks of underage drinking and empowering them to take action to stop it. The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is supporting other Town Hall Meetings which are taking place in communities across the country during late March and early April 2008.
State Public Health Officer, Dr. Stuart Brown, to retire
April 4, 2008 – Having served as a major player in Georgia’s public health community for more than 31 years, three of which were spent as Director of the Division of Public Health, Dr. Stuart T. Brown announced today his plans to retire from the Georgia Department of Human Resources. Brown will continue serving in his current capacity until April 30th.
Policy changes in Food Stamps make more people eligible, especially seniors
April 22, 2008 – Anyone may apply for food stamps. The program not only helps households where income is at poverty level, but also helps more financially stable families and individuals that may be experiencing temporary crisis. Due to recent state policy changes which exempt most resources for eligibility, more people may qualify for food stamps benefits. As of March 2008, resources such as property, stocks, bonds, certificates, and bank accounts are exempt for most families and will not cause ineligibility of benefits.
Open hearing invites public to speak/meet DHR leaders
April 14, 2008 - The Board of Human Resources will hold its official monthly meeting at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at the DHR Middle GA Training Center. The campus is located at 4885 Riverside Drive, Ste. 300 in Macon. The meeting will begin at 1:15 p.m. in the Savannah Room.
New website makes it easier to connect to Afterschool Services programs
April 8, 2008 - The Department of Human Resources' 270 After School and Summer Learning programs serve thousands of students across the state each year. To make it more convenient for parents, students, schools, community organizations, and others to connect to these programs, DHR's Afterschool Services Program has launched a new Web site, www.afterschoolservices.net.
GeorgiaCares SHIP receives grant funding from CMS
April 18, 2008 - GeorgiaCares State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) will receive a grant award of $865,552 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). SHIP is a grantee program of CMS and each state has one. The funds will be used to provide more information on health care choices to Medicare beneficiaries in the state.
Georgia residents sickened by recalled dietary supplement
April 17, 2008 - The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health is investigating at least 20 suspected cases of illness due to a dietary supplement that is currently being voluntarily recalled by Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta, the sole distributor of the products.
Georgia Red Ribbon Campaign award winners honored at Zoo Atlanta
ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health recently announced the 2007 Georgia’s Red Ribbon Campaign winners during a special ceremony held at Zoo Atlanta. Drs. Stuart Brown, Director of the Division of Public Health and Brenda Rowe, Director of the Office of Prevention and Program Services presented schools, businesses and other groups with awards honoring their drug prevention creativity during last year’s Red Ribbon Week activities.
DHR urges you to report elder abuse
April 7, 2008 – Did you know that it is a felony in Georgia to abuse, neglect or exploit a disabled adult or elder person age 65 and older? Did you know that it is a misdemeanor if a mandated reporter does not report suspected cases of abuse involving an elderly person? Anyone can report abuse. But law enforcement, financial institutions, and medical and human services personnel are among those required by law to report suspected cases of adult abuse, neglect or exploitation to Adult Protective Services (APS).
DHR sponsors Open Homes-Open Hearts 5K Run for foster kids
April 18, 2008 - Ft. Yargo State Park in Winder will play host to Open Homes/Open Hearts, a 5K Run/Walk, 1 Mile Fun Run, and Community Fun Day to raise awareness about the need for more foster and adoptive parents. The event, which is sponsored by DHR's Division of Families and Children Services, takes place Sunday, May 4 beginning at 2:00 p.m. The Barrow County DFCS in Winder is coordinating the run along with 11 other regional DFCS offices. The event is open to the public.
DHR recognizes National Infant Immunization Week
April 18, 2008 – During National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), observed April 19-26, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health reminds parents about the benefits of immunizing their children against vaccine preventable diseases. Research shows that vaccines have a huge impact on a child’s overall health because they protect against serious diseases, even death, and promote a child’s immunity level.
DHR holds workshop to find mentors, foster and adoptive parents for teens
April 18, 2008 - Statistics show the older a child when he or she enters foster care, the least likely his or her chance of being adopted. In Georgia, of the nearly 1,300 foster children adopted last year, only 140 were over the age of 13. The Department of Human Resources Division of Family and Children Services is working to reverse these numbers by making the community more aware of the challenges teens in foster care are faced with.
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