Valley Healthcare System, Inc. of Columbus and Community Health Care Systems, Inc of Wrightsville receive over $8 million in grants.
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced awards of $727 million to 143 community health centers across the country to address pressing construction and renovation needs and expand access to quality health care. The funds are the first in a series of awards that will be made available to community health centers under the Affordable Care Act.
Community health centers serve nearly 19 million patients, about 40 percent of whom have no health insurance. Community health centers deliver preventive and primary care services at more than 7,900 service delivery sites around the country to patients regardless of their ability to pay; charges for services are set according to income.
"There is no question that the economic downturn has made it harder for some Americans to get health care and important preventive services. Community Health Centers provide quality healthcare services to Americans across the country but are a life line for those who have lost coverage or are between jobs. These funds from the Affordable Care Act will help get more people care in some communities where there have not been many options in the past," said Secretary Sebelius. "The newly constructed or expanded community health centers will provide care to an additional 745,000 patients and much needed employment opportunities in both rural and urban underserved communities."
The Capital Development (CD) program grants, administered by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will support major construction and renovation at 143 community health centers nationwide. This builds on the more than $2 billion investment in community health centers in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A state by state list of Recovery Act investments in community health centers is available at http://www.hhs.gov/recovery/programs/hrsa/index.html .
"Many of these community health centers need more modern space to meet the increasing patient demand for services. These funds will help community health centers build new facilities and modernize their current sites in their continuing effort to provide the best care possible to more and more people in need," said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N.
Over the next five years, the Affordable Care Act provides $11 billion in funding for the operation, expansion and construction of community health centers across the country. This expansion of sites and services will help community health centers to serve nearly double the number of patients receiving care, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
America's Promise Alliance and ING Release National List of 100 Best Communities for Young People
The Georgia cities of Cumming and Macon, along with Troup County, are tops in our great state for young people.
/PRNewswire/ -- In a celebration of America's young people and the communities most dedicated to helping local youth graduate from high school, America's Promise Alliance (the Alliance) today announced its 2010 list of 100 Best Communities for Young People presented by ING. An interactive showcase of the 100 Best and their accomplishments can be found at www.americaspromise.org/100Best.
"The 100 Best Communities for Young People are taking bold and effective steps to help their youth graduate and lead healthy, productive lives," said Alma J. Powell, Chair, America's Promise Alliance. "Each community has proven that they are developing programs and implementing initiatives to provide young people with the essential resources they need to graduate from high school and succeed in college and a 21st century career."
The 100 Best competition is part of the Alliance's Grad Nation campaign, a 10-year initiative to mobilize all Americans to end the dropout crisis. This year, more than 350 communities in all 50 states and Washington, DC, were nominated for the 100 Best competition. The winners come from 37 states and 30 are first-time recipients of the honor. They were chosen by a distinguished panel of judges that included some of the nation's most well-known civic, business and nonprofit leaders such as: William Bell, president and CEO of Casey Family Programs; Fr. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA; Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Larry Naake, executive director, National Association of Counties; Jane Beshear, first lady of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medalist and youth advocate.
The 2010 winners will be highlighted at a ceremony in front of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, DC, with Alma Powell, Alliance President and CEO Marguerite Kondracke, and ING Foundation President Rhonda Mims. Winning communities will be pinpointed on an expansive ceremonial U.S. map.
Twilight star Kellan Lutz will make a special appearance at the event, assisting the Alliance and ING executives in revealing the list of 100 Best Communities and connecting with young people about the importance of staying in school.
"ING is committed to children's education and to the advancement of education initiatives that prepare our young people to graduate and have successful futures," said Mims. "Our support for 100 Best demonstrates our goal of honoring communities that produce real, measurable results for improving the lives of young people."
"100 Best is an essential building block of Grad Nation, an inspiring national movement that seeks to ensure every young person graduates," said Kondracke. "These winning communities are helping to build a generation of assertive, successful and dynamic young people that are the future of this country. Our ultimate hope is that 100 Best will inspire all communities across America to make a commitment to children, keep them in school and help them overcome the challenges that could otherwise determine their future."
First held in 2005, the 100 Best competition is open to all communities that make children and youth a priority, including small towns, large cities, counties and school districts. In addition to enhancing local educational opportunities, most winning communities help facilitate greater access to quality health care for young people, encourage youth civic engagement and supply developmental resources that create better places for young people to live and grow.
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Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Two Georgia Youth Honored for Volunteerism at National Award Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two Georgia students, Mackenzie Bearup, 16, of Alpharetta and Andrew Vassil, 14, of Woodstock, were honored in the nation’s capital last night for their outstanding volunteer work during the presentation of The 2010 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The two young people – along with 100 other top youth volunteers from across the country – received $1,000 awards as well as personal congratulations from former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Olympic snowboarding champion Seth Wescott at the 15th annual award ceremony and gala dinner reception, held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.
“The only way I could get my mind off the pain was to escape into a great book”
Mackenzie and Andrew were named the top high school and middle level youth volunteers in Georgia last February. In addition to their cash awards, they received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week’s recognition events.
“The Prudential Spirit of Community honorees give us great hope for the future,” said Dr. Rice. “Their compassion and commitment are already making a real difference in so many lives, and I have no doubt that their leadership will continue to positively impact the world for many years to come.”
Mackenzie, a home-schooled eleventh-grader, has collected more than 30,000 children’s books over the past three years to establish libraries or reading rooms for 27 homeless shelters in four states. Mackenzie was diagnosed with a painful neurological condition several years ago and spent many months in bed. “The only way I could get my mind off the pain was to escape into a great book,” she explained. When her doctor told her about a homeless shelter in need of a children’s library, Mackenzie decided to help. “I thought about how reading helped me get my mind off my pain and hoped it would do the same for these children.”
Mackenzie gathered books she no longer needed and asked friends and neighbors if they had books to donate. Then she dropped fliers in mailboxes throughout her subdivision, and began distributing them at garage sales. When a local newspaper published a story on Mackenzie’s efforts, donations began to pour in. With help from her family, Mackenzie sorted, boxed, and delivered 10,000 books to the shelter. Soon other shelters learned of her work and asked her to help them as well. Now, Mackenzie goes to garage sales every Friday and Saturday to look for donations, contacts homeless shelters to ask if they need books, and uses pet- and babysitting earnings to help pay for expenses. To date, she has donated more than 30,000 books to homeless shelters in Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri, and recently set up a nonprofit organization, Sheltering Books Inc., to expand nationwide. “I have learned that, in spite of my pain, I can feel better by helping others,” said Mackenzie.
Andrew, an eighth-grader at Queen of Angels Catholic School in Roswell, has been raising money and giving speeches for the past six years to support childhood cancer research and patient care, in appreciation for the treatment he received at age 6 for an inoperable brain tumor. “The hospital I went to, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, saved my life,” said Andrew. “I feel I owe something to St. Jude.” He shares his story on behalf of the hospital at golf tournaments, schools, country club dinners, auctions, radio station “phone-a-thons,” corporate events, major galas, and in television commercials. He also participates in the annual St. Jude Memphis Marathon on a team formed in his honor, which has raised more than $100,000 over the last three years.
Two years ago, Andrew expanded his fund-raising activities to benefit the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research as well. He spends hours writing and rehearsing speeches, tailoring his remarks to the ages and backgrounds of his audiences. With as many as five events per month, Andrew has spoken directly to thousands of people about the importance of cancer research. In addition, he spends time supporting and comforting other kids who have been diagnosed with cancer. “I know so many people who have been through the horrors of childhood cancer,” said Andrew. “I want to help find cures so other kids don’t have to experience what I did.”
“Mackenzie and Andrew are wonderful examples of young Americans who care about the world around them and have taken the initiative to improve that world,” said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc. “We salute their effort, their achievements, and their spirit of community.”
More than 21,000 young people submitted applications for the 2010 awards program last fall through schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of the Points of Light Institute’s HandsOn Network. The top middle level and high school applicants in each state were selected in February and flown to Washington this week with their parents for four days of special recognition events.
Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 15 years ago by Prudential Financial to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored nearly 100,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level.
“The young women and men in America’s schools are nothing short of amazing, and nowhere is this more evident than amongst this year’s award recipients,” said NASSP President Steven Pophal. “They possess a keen intellect, servant hearts, capable leadership skills, and are filled with energy and ambition. NASSP and Prudential are honored to recognize them.”
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by the American Association of School Administrators, the National Middle School Association, the National School Boards Association, the Council of the Great City Schools, Girl Scouts of the USA, National 4-H Council, the American Red Cross, YMCA of the USA, the Points of Light Institute, and other national education and service organizations.
More information about The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards and this year’s honorees can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com or www.principals.org/spirit.
In existence since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. NASSP’s mission is to promote excellence in school leadership. The National Honor Society®, National Junior Honor Society®, National Elementary Honor Society™, and National Association of Student Councils® are all NASSP programs. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, Va., visit www.principals.org or call 703-860-0200.
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Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Rockdale County Launches the Nation's First Neighborhood Stabilization (NSP) Model Block Project
Rockdale County is blazing trails with the launch of the nation's first stimulus funded model block approach. Underwritten by the US Department of Housing & Urban Development's (HUD) Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), all of their acquired foreclosed properties are in one neighborhood; on the same street.
Rockdale County Government and APD Solutions (APDS), a national Neighborhood Revitalization Firm, are proving naysayers wrong in showing how strategic planning of the use of funds can have a positive effect on improving local communities. With the assistance of Federal Stimulus funds provided through the partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, they are rehabilitating empty foreclosed homes, employing dozens of people and providing thousands of dollars in down payment assistance to homebuyers. Their aggressive approach is catching the attention of local and state officials. Rockdale County is making much needed progress in providing the home buying public with a steady supply of quality, affordable and renovated homes.
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Thursday, September 3, 2009
Governor Perdue Announces Nearly $37 Million in Grant Awards
Governor Sonny Perdue today announced Georgia has been awarded nearly $37 million in federal grants from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the state’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP).
“The Community Development Block Grant program provides an essential financial resource to Georgia’s smaller communities in their efforts to fund projects that will assist low- and moderate-income citizens,” said Governor Perdue. “As communities large and small are making tough spending choices, today’s grant announcement represents an important funding source for programs that improve quality of life, economic development and job creation programs.”
Nearly $32.6 million allocated for CDBG awards will be used to support projects in 65 Georgia communities. Projects include water and sewer improvements, senior citizen facilities, health facilities, programs for at-risk children and replacement or rehabilitation of sub-standard and dilapidated housing. A complete list of projects and award amounts is included at the end of the news release.
The CDBG program is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which uses funds allocated through HUD to support local initiatives that focus on improving living conditions and economic opportunities throughout the state.
Governor Perdue also announced that Georgia was awarded nearly $4.4 million in Community HOME Investment Program funds. CHIP funds will assist 15 Georgia communities increase the supply of safe and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income persons.
“CHIP funds remain an essential resource for those communities that seek to increase available units and improve the standard of living for their fellow Georgians,” said Governor Perdue.
Added DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty: “We are pleased that these funds will be used to fund critical community development projects. Each year, the annual CDBG and CHIP funding announcement demonstrates how federal, state and local partners are working together to support local communities.”
For more information regarding Georgia’s CDBG and CHIP programs, please visit DCA’s website at http://www.dca.ga.gov/communities/CDBG/programs/CDBGCHIP.asp or contact DCA Assistant Commissioner Brian Williamson at (404) 679-1587 or brian.williamson@dca.ga.gov. In addition, an informational workshop for CDBG and CHIP recipient communities is scheduled for Sept. 24-25 in Pine Mountain. Recipient communities may direct workshop-related questions to Lisa Smith at (404) 679-5276 or lisa.smith@dca.ga.gov .
A complete listing of CDBG and CHIP awards follows. Communities are listed in alphabetical order.
Community Development Block Grant Awards
Recipient, Project Description, Planned Amount
City of Alma, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Arabi , Water Improvements, $468,144
City of Argyle, Water Improvements, $475,118
City of Ashburn, Multi Infrastructure Improvements, $500,000
Atkinson County, Health Center, $458,875
City of Baconton, Drainage Improvements, $499,964
Berrien County, Boys and Girls Club, $500,000
City of Blakely, Head Start Facility, $500,000
City of Boston, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Canon, Water Improvements, $500,000
City of Carrollton, Health Center, $500,000
City of Cartersville, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $500,000
City of Chickamauga, Water/Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Cochran, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $465,998
Coffee County, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $500,000
City of Colquitt, Multi Activity Program, $703,378
City of Damascus, Water Improvements, $396,057
City of Donalsonville, Water Improvements, $500,000
Dooly County, Housing Improvements, $488,047
City of Douglas, Housing Improvements, $210,000
City of Douglasville, Boys and Girls Club, $500,000
City of Eastman, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Ellijay, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Greenville, Housing Improvements, $500,000
City of Griffin, Water/Sewer Improvements, $500,000
Hart County, Water Improvements, $500,000
City of Homeland, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $269,377
City of Homerville, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Leesburg, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $500,000
City of Milan, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $497,761
City of Milledgeville, Housing Improvements, $453,918
City of Millen, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Molena, Water Improvements, $500,000
City of Monroe, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Moultrie, Drainage Improvements, $500,000
City of Ocilla, Sewer Improvements, $400,775
Pierce County, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $497,711
City of Pineview, Water Improvements, $462,808
City of Portal, Sewer Improvements, $489,840
City of Quitman, Multi Activity Program, $800,000
Randolph County, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $465,049
City of Reynolds, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Richland, Water Improvements, $500,000
City of Ringgold, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Rockmart, Multi Activity Program, $800,000
City of Sandersville, Multi Activity Program, $800,000
City of Siloam, Water Improvements, $331,900
City of Smithville, Housing Improvements, $500,000
City of Sumner, Water Improvements, $429,775
City of Sylvester, Water/Sewer Improvements, $500,000
Talbot County, Multi Activity Program, $800,000
City of Tarrytown, Water Improvements, $445,734
Taylor County, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
Thomas County, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $294,463
City of Thomasville, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $500,000
City of Thomson, Multi Activity Program, $800,000
Tift County, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $500,000
City of Toccoa, Multi Activity Program, $589,959
City of Union Point, Water Improvements, $500,000
City of Uvalda, Sewer Improvements, $485,000
City of Varnell, Senior Center, $500,000
City of Warrenton, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Woodland, Drainage/Streets Improvements, $295,753
City of Wrens, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
City of Wrightsville, Sewer Improvements, $500,000
TOTAL, $32,575,404
Community HOME Investment Program Awards
Recipient, Project Description, Amount
Ben Hill County, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of Cartersville, Housing Improvements, $300,000
Dooly County, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of Douglas, Housing Improvements, $281,605
Hall County, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of LaGrange, Housing Improvements, $300,000
Lowndes County, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of Marshallville, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of McIntyre, Housing Improvements, $300,000
Randolph County, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of Rockmart, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of Rome, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of Sandersville, Housing Improvements, $300,000
City of Thomasville, Revitalization Area Strategy, $200,000
City of Tifton, Housing Improvements, $300,000
TOTAL, $4,381,605
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
West Georgia Celebrates Earth Day 2009
The University of West Georgia will celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, with something for everyone that includes cotton candy, Wolfie and recycling. The free event is scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. near the Campus Center and the community is welcome to attend.
Faculty and staff, fraternities and sororities, the Geosciences Club and the Geography Honor Society, have planned one of the largest Earth Days to be held on campus.
A Miss Earth Day Pageant, where contestants don only costumes made from recycled products, an Earth Day tee shirt sale, a guest appearance by Wolfie and recycling tubs for ink cartridges, cell phones and aluminum are some of the green and blue attractions for the event.
A traditional Earth Day tree planting will also take place on campus. At 2:30 p.m., three kwanzan cherry trees will be planted near the Calloway Building’s annex. James Hembree, UWG horticulturalist, will provide the trees and dig the holes and faculty and students will help plant. The 10-foot trees will replace a large cherry tree taken down during construction of the addition to Calloway months ago.
Not to be outdone, Aramark, the university food service provider, and Auxiliary Services will celebrate Earth Day all week long April 20 – 24.
Both will help with the green effort Monday through Friday by a different energy saving technique each day. Trayless Dining Day will save hundreds of gallons of water; Dim the Lights Day will lower energy costs, and Weigh the Waste Day, Recycling Day for cell phones and an Earth Day Meal will help the campus community think and eat green.
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Monday, February 9, 2009
UGA Fanning Institute Reports on a Leadership Development Program for Rural Georgia
A new study by the University of Georgia Fanning Institute shows that community leadership programs are helping to support economic viability in Georgia’s rural counties. The report—Georgia’s Community Leadership Initiative—was released today at the Georgia Rural Development Council’s 8th Annual Leadership Day program in Atlanta.
“Broad-based community leadership is critical to building and maintaining a community’s ability to respond to the state, national and global changes that alter local opportunities,” said Michael A. Beatty, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, in the foreword to the report.
In 2002, the Georgia Rural Development Council started the Community Leadership Initiative to broaden the state’s leadership base and build local capacity to address social and economic issues in communities. The initiative provides seed-grants on a competitive basis to rural counties that lack sustained leadership development programs. Today’s report examines the results of the initiative’s first five years (2002 to 2007).
During that period, 94 rural counties received 184 grants and more than 3,200 Georgians completed grant-supported training. Program graduates devoted more than 96,000 hours to improving their skills and learning about their community’s problems, assets and resources.
Participants said the program improved their ability to build partnerships, facilitate discussions, manage conflict, find solutions to problems in group settings, and other leadership skills.
In 75 percent of the counties that received grants, graduates became more involved in their communities—running for elected office, leading local task forces to address community problems, and serving on local boards for community groups such as downtown development authorities, economic development authorities, and philanthropic organizations. Some 46 percent of participants immediately assumed leadership roles as officers, committee chairs and organizers.
The Community Leadership Initiative increased program activity in 70 percent of the grant receiving counties and the number of self-sustaining programs increased by 47 percent during the five-year period.
The complete report is available at www.fanning.uga.edu.
The GRDC Community Leadership Initiative now is funded by OneGeorgia, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and managed by the Fanning Institute at the University of Georgia.
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Thursday, October 2, 2008
November Ballot Amendment Promoting Redevelopment Receives Major Endorsement
PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution endorsed Amendment 2, which will appear on the November 4 statewide ballot.
Amendment 2 allows school boards to participate in Tax Allocation Districts, or TADs, an important redevelopment financing tool used by more than 50 communities across Georgia. TADs help revitalize blighted neighborhoods and abandoned industrial sites, turning them into thriving residential and commercial districts that generate more revenue for cities, counties and schools.
The Amendment 2 text that will appear on the November 4 statewide ballot:
To authorize local school districts to use tax funds for community redevelopment purposes.
"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment and programs?"
If approved Amendment 2 restores to school systems the power, if they so choose, to help their communities grow. This is a power school systems in Georgia have enjoyed for more than two decades, and that school systems in 46 other states enjoy as well. But earlier this year, a state Supreme Court decision took away that power. Amendment 2 puts that local control back in their hands.
As appeared in the October 1 issue of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
"This amendment does not authorize specific TAD-financed projects anywhere in Georgia. It merely allows school property taxes -- which account for about two-thirds of all local property taxes -- to become a part of the mix. Local school boards would retain the authority to say "no" to the use of school taxes or to negotiate specific terms in order to approve a TAD. That's important because some of the projects promoted for TADs in recent years are too risky, especially in a depressed housing market. Local government officials, including school boards, should scrutinize these requests closely before approving them, demanding to know why the developers can't get conventional market financing or why local governments won't issue general revenue bonds to get them off the ground.
Tax allocation districts can be a useful financing tool for well-conceived projects that might not otherwise be affordable. But they also should be used sparingly. This amendment will allow communities to keep them in their redevelopment tool box. Vote YES."
"For years, TADs have been used to revitalize blighted neighborhoods and bring residents and businesses back to communities across Georgia," said George Israel, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. "They are a proven redevelopment tool for cities and counties, and they generate millions of dollars for local school systems. We support the TAD amendment and all three amendments on the November ballot. This is a critical time for our economy -- and these initiatives mean thousands of new jobs for Georgians everywhere."
Georgians for Community Redevelopment is a nonprofit organization devoted to educating Georgians about the opportunities of Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) and promoting the passage of Amendment 2 on the November 2008 ballot. For more information on Amendment 2, please visit the website http://georgiatad.org/.
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