Dawson County Family Connection News
April Edition
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All Children in Dawson County will have the opportunity to become successful, contributing, productive and
self-sustaining adults.
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April is Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, a time to act collectively to raise awareness and empower people across the nation to play a role in making great childhoods happen. |
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Child abuse and neglect is caused by multiple factors related to the individual, family, community, and society at large. Environments that have high rates of violence, inequitable access to community resources and social services, and are disproportionately affected by poverty or unemployment are contributors to child abuse.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to celebrate the good things our community does and lift up the work and partners we still need to ensure every child has the chance to thrive. Want to know how you can help? Georgia just released a State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan that includes ways individuals, communities, workplaces and others can get involved. As Georgians we have the collective power to strengthen families by advocating for policies, programs, and practices that increase:
- Family Economic Stability,
- Access to Early Childhood Education,
- Family Physical and Mental Health,
- Family Resilience, and Community Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Strategies.
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Join our Community Collaborative |
Please join us as we work together sharing information and services to help build a strong, vibrant, healthy community.
Guest Speaker: Faith Atkins
Untapped Potential
April 13, 2021 at 9:00 am.
COVID has made times so uncertain. The safety of our members is our first priority; therefore, our April Meeting will be virtual.
If you can't make it, we are happy to make announcements for you.
Contact Rebecca Bliss at rbliss@dawsonfamilyconnection.org if you need more information.
Our next meeting will be May 4, 2021 at 9:00 am.
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Stewards of Children
Family Connection will be offering a FREE Stewards of Children Training in hopes of reaching our goal of training 10% of adults in Dawson County!
Stewards of Children training features real people with real stories about protecting children from sexual abuse.
In this training you will learn how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
We want to make trainings convenient to you, so please sign our waiting list and indicate a time (or times) that works best for you! (We will gladly schedule trainings for an entire office/department/group/club, too!)
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The Rotary Club of Dawson County with the help of Local Church Dawson, Forsyth Dental Town, and Dawson County Family Connection gather up supplies needed by Dawson County DFCS and assembled 53 backpacks. This bags will be used to provide instant basic supplies for children removed from their home and placed in foster care.
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Nancy Stites retired in February 2021 where she faithfully served as Dawson County's Family Connection Coordinator for 15 years.
Thank you Nancy for your many years of dedicated service to our community. Dawson County was fortunate to benefit from your expertise and sincere kindness! You will be missed!
Pictured (L-R): Chris Gaines, District 2; Sharon Fausett, District 1; Billy Thurmond, Chairman; Nancy Stites, Family Connection; Emory Dooley, District 4; Tim Satterfield, District 3
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Dawson County Family Connection is pleased to introduce our newest team member, Jill Alexander. Jill will serve Dawson County Family Connection in the role of Administrative Specialist. Jill brings a wide range of experience in nonprofits, grass roots community initiatives, advocacy and community building. Jill and her husband of 26 years, David have 3 incredible children and 2 wonderful grandkids. In 2019, the Alexander’s were pleased to make Dawsonville their home. Jill enjoys cheering on her grandson as he plays sports for the Dawson County Park and Recreation. She also loves watching her niece blaze the basketball courts for the Dawsonville County Middle School girls’ basketball team and hang out with her nephew, a senior at Dawson County High School. An avid cook, Jill really enjoys preparing robust meals and spending time with family. Please join us in welcoming Jill to the team as we strive to serve our community. Jill looks forward to serving you. |
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Jill Alexander
Administrative
Specialist
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COVID Vaccine Information
Covid-19 Vaccine Online Appointment Link Georgia eligibility is open for everyone 16 years of age and older for the COVID vaccine. If you are eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine, please register at the link below: District 2 is migrating to the State VRAS booking system. Please click on the following link to register for a vaccine. Check back often as sites and appointments are added periodically.
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This series will focus on how all families can use Protective Factors to build supports and thrive by connecting with other parents in a virtual community. Each session will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- April 13 – Concrete Support in Times of Need
- April 20 – Knowledge of Child Development
- April 27 – Social-Emotional Competence
- May 4 – Protective Factors in Our Lives and Communities
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"The pandemic has brought about many stresses, not the least of which is family stress. It is important that as parents we remain focused on one of our greatest purposes — parenting. We want parents to know there are tools and tips that may be helpful for them as we continue to whether the pandemic,” said
Joni Smith, president and
CEO of The Place.e.
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Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Younique Foundation has retreats in Dawson County to help women that have experienced Child Sexual Abuse. Throughout April, The Younique Foundation will be bringing awareness to its #FightForZero campaign to eradicate child sexual abuse and bring that one in five statistic to zero. Now is the time to fight for zero secrets, zero shame, zero trauma. It’s critical that parents, caregivers, and community members educate themselves about this epidemic.
- Children are most vulnerable to sexual abuse between the ages of 7 and 13.
- Children with disabilities are three times more likely to be the victims of sexual abuse.
- 34% of youth Internet users experience unwanted exposure to sexual material.
- Children know their abuser in approximately 80% of sexual abuse cases.
The Younique Foundation aims to inspire hope in survivors who were sexually abused as children or adolescents by providing healing services through educational retreats, support groups, and online resources. It also educates and empowers parents and caregivers to protect children from sexual abuse through community and online resources at defendinnocence.org.
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Dawson County Parks and Recreation has so much to offer residents of all ages. Check out the website for more information.
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Summer sports camps are right around the corner, register HERE today!
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Dawson County Schools are excited to open Kindergarten Registration for the 2021-2022 school year!
In the past, families have been asked to register by their zoned elementary school on a specific day. With the new online process, you can now register at any time!
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Dawson County Family Connection is committed to strengthening Dawson County families, children and community. We have compiled a substantial list of community resources that can be accessed HERE.
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Ninth District Opportunity is now offering rental assistance for tenants and help for landlords who have not received a rental payment in months due to the pandemic. It’s called the Georgia Rental Assistance Program and will provide assistance for both the landlord and tenant equally.
For tenants behind on their rent, they must meet certain income and eligibility requirements.
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Food Pantries
Christ Fellowship Church – Food Center
139 Hightower Parkway #100
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-216-3248
Day / Time: Thursdays 4pm – 6:00pm
Delivery Agency: Christ Fellowship Church will deliver food boxes to shut-ins weekly on Thursday’s. Please contact Helyn Johnson 706-265-5564
Jesus Name Apostolic Church
77 Hugh Stowers Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
678-410-4455
Day / Time: Tuesday and Thursday 4pm-6pm, Saturday 9am-3pm; also provides emergency boxes
Notes: No restrictions
Ric-Rack Food Pantry
829 Hwy 9 N.
Dawsonville, GA 30534
(706) 265-1045
Day / Time: M, W & F 12pm-3pm
Notes: Client can come 1x per month; proof of Dawson County residency and income required.
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Goodwill Career Center offers many virtual financial education classes, career skills classes and job fairs. For more information click the links below. |
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