Disclaimer:
This resource guide is provided as a service by Family Connection. All information published herein is gathered from sources thought to be reliable and is not a complete list of all resources available to Dawson County citizens. Inclusion in this guide does not necessarily constitute an endorsement by Family Connection. Requests for changes or inclusions in this guide are appreciated and should be sent to rbliss@DawsonFamilyConnection.org
Child Abuse & Neglect
The COVID-19 pandemic and the need to avoid contact with others challenges some of the factors that we know can help protect children from abuse, like supportive family environments and contact with caring adults outside the family. Children who are usually in school are now learning at home. Their parents may be working from home, working at essential jobs (without good childcare options) or may have lost their jobs.
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Children who are being abused or neglected are more likely to go unnoticed without teachers and others to help them.
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(Anyone worried about the possibility of abuse or neglect can still contact the national child abuse hotline: 1-800-422-4423 or  childhelphotline.org.
Crisis counselors answer calls 24/7 and provide crisis intervention, information, and referrals.)
Some families will find that heightened stress can result in domestic violence which itself deeply affects children. If there is a gun in the home there may be greater risk, and local police are trained to help. (call the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or by chat at  thehotline.org.)
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READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
Message from Dawson County DFCS
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While the lobby of the Dawson County Division of Families and Children is closed, we are still open for business.  Clients can apply for benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, and TANF: 
  1. PREFERRED-on-line at https://gateway.ga.gov/access/  and will be interviewed via phone
  2. If it's not possible to apply online, there is a dropbox for your application at our door. Our address is:9 Malala Drive, Dawsonville, GA 30534).
  3. Call 706-265-6598 with your questions.
With the majority of child welfare referrals coming from the school system and school being out, reports have decreased.  However we all know that abuse is continuing and probably has increased as a result of all the stress being placed on families during the current pandemic crisis.
We need the community's eyes, we need you to REPORT possible cases of
child abuse to  1-855-422-4453.
Click HERE for Georgia Mandated Reporter FAQ

The coronavirus pandemic has turned life upside down and inside out. As a result,
families are increasingly weary, anxious, uncertain and stressed.
And that's just after a trip to your local grocery store! Can you relate?
Parenting is tough under the best of conditions, if you as a parent need help coping,
please call 1-800-CHILDREN for assistance!

Access to Services
  • Federally Qualified Health Center, or other community-based resource, please call the Georgia Family Healthline at 1-800-300-9003.
  • Assistance with essential services (finding food, paying bills), contact 211. (For Dawson County Resources CLICK HERE)
  • Childcare Support: To locate childcare that is currently open call 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS (1-877-255-4254) or go online to http://qualityrated.org/
Tips for Successful Parenting During the Coronavirus Pandemic



TWO FREE ONLINE STEWARDS OF CHILDREN TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES:
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Through a combination of research, education, and community advocacy, Stewards of Children Training uses a social behavior change approach to pioneer new training initiatives that bring child sexual abuse prevention to the attention of the broader cultural conversation. This training empowers adults and organizations to bring best-practices in child safety to their own communities.
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Just a couple of points that may help in the registration process.
1) The initial pages of the registration will show a $10 charge for the training. Continue to work through the registration pages until you come to the payment page. On the payment page enter: fliptheswitch to make training FREE!
2) Once a person registers they will have 14 days to complete the training.
3) Each participant will be able to download a certificate at the end in case you need to track who in your organization took the training.
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We need to be prepared to continue protecting kids to the best of our ability under any circumstances. The Protecting Children During a Crisis  online training is designed to help you navigate through the unusual circumstances you might face during times of crisis. This change is any situation where you need to modify the steps you take to protect your children because of a situation that is out of your control. This training will help you consider your current strategies, help you identify the new situation, and help you change your strategy.
Domestic Violence 
Message from No One Alone:
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According to news reports, with 96% of Americans forced to stay home due to the  COVID-19 pandemic, there is a 13% to 29% increase in domestic violence related incidents reported. These numbers are derived from the growing number of crisis line calls and some are from confirmed cases and arrests, so numbers will vary across the states.
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No One Alone (NOA) in Dahlonega continues to provide outreach support services to domestic violence victims in need. Along with our 24/7 crisis line, we also offer an online chat option that may be safer choice for some victims.
  • NOA 24/7 CRISIS LINE 706-864-1986
  • NOA online chat option click here
  NOA's thrift store, Southern Finds, will be temporarily closed due to the "shelter-in-place" order.
Sheltering in place does not mean that a victim of domestic violence is required to stay in isolation with an abusive partner
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People impacted by domestic violence can still get the support of an advocate for help accessing crucial resources. Local domestic violence shelters and organizations are working diligently with anyone who calls to find them safe housing - both safe from exposure to COVID-19 and safe from abuse.
During this time, the 24-hour state-wide domestic violence hotline is still available as a resource for those seeking help to escape violence in their home. The number to call is 1-800-33-HAVEN. You can find your local domestic violence program and more information at the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence's website  www.gcadv.org . Additionally, you may call 911 for immediate assistance. Police intervention can be life-saving but we know there are very real barriers for some survivors contacting the police. Survivors should not have to take any actions that they feel would jeopardize their safety. 
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Domestic violence offenses should not be excused because we are facing a health crisis. Citizens can still seek temporary protective orders during this time. Contact your local courthouse clerk's office or domestic violence organization for information on how to obtain a TPO.
Substance Abuse
COVID-19 Crisis May Help Trigger Addiction Relapse
By Robert Preidt,  HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, April 1, 2020 (HealthDay News)
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The social distancing and isolation of the coronavirus  pandemic may put people struggling with addiction at risk for relapse.
Feeling stressed, isolated and scared may drive those in recovery back to substance abuse .
Whatever structures used to maintain sobriety by people with substance-use issues tend to fall away in a pandemic.  People who have lost proximity to support systems, programs and relationships that help them stay sober may be tempted to self-medicate in order to deal with  stress , anxiety and isolation.
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It's important to maintain  relationships. Even when they're challenging, family and friends provide comfort and security, and hearing words like "I love you," "I miss you," and "I need you," can be therapeutic.  If you're in a treatment program, engaging more substantially will provide you with even greater protection. If you have a history of mental illness or substance abuse, take advantage of any prior resources to help you through this stressful time.  If you can't go to a meeting or counseling session in-person, find out if there are other options such as tele-mental health or other distance counseling.
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Read full article HERE
Online General  Recovery Meetings



Hazelden Betty Ford- Free Recovery Resouces

LifeRing Secular Recovery: is an organization of people who share practical experiences and sobriety support.

In The Rooms: - Online Recovery Meetings providing online support through live meetings and discussion groups.

SoberCity: Offers an online support and recovery community

Sobergrid: Offers an online platform to help anyone get sober and stay sober

Soberistas: Provides a women-only international online recovery community

Sober Recovery: Provides an online forum for those in recovery and their friends and family


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Click HERE for Blue Ridge Mountain Recovery Center's video on  the importance of connecting, especially if you are in recovery.




 

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