Ware Children’s Initiative, Inc.
Minutes
April 16, 2015
The Ware Children’s Initiative met on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at 8:30 in Room 210 at Coastal Pines Technical College.
Magnolia House and Satilla Advocacy Services provided a breakfast before the meeting to raise awareness for April as National
Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In attendance: Shelli Tyre, Anita Young, Jared King, Amanda Lankford, Concerted Services; Jay Jones, Misty Mercer, DJJ; Misty
Strickland, Hospice Satilla; Toni Nelson, Kathy George, Mayo Clinic Health System; Sandra Osburn, Debi Jones, Lynn Rivers,
Ware County Board of Education; Connie Miss, Gail Stewart-Martin, Joan Grunden, Annalease Gibson, Social Work
Department, Albany State University; Frank Bannamon, McKinney Medical Center; Glyn Thomas, Janett Carter, Misty Burchett,
Tiffany Henderson, Viva Steed, Unison Behavioral Health; Ambi Bess, Samantha Carrino, Southeast Health District; Glenn
Deibert, Jaki Johnson, Coastal Pines Technical College; Lynne Sroczynski, Ginger Peagler,HEARTS for Families; Terry
Anderson, Latoshia Kirksey, Satilla Advocacy Services; Rev Nathaniel Anderson, Boys to Men, SWANS ; Ayona Hill, Waycross
Housing Authority; Franklin Stephens, Kim Callahan,Ware County High School; Will Meadows, Aaron Monk, Taylor Meadows,
Molly Morrison, WCHS Leadership class; Lance Adamson, Ware County Rec Dept.; Sabrina Carter, S. Georgia Area Agency on
Aging; and Gail Seifert, Coordinator.
Terry Anderson, Executive Director, Satilla Advocacy Services opened the meeting with a prayer for those who have suffered
abuse.
I.
Presentation by Ware County High School Leadership Class
Will Meadows, Aaron Monk and Taylor Meadows members of the Ware County High School Leadership class presented
information on underage drinking pointing out that 31.5% of young adults are alcoholics; 5,000 young people die per year
from underage drinking; every 53 minutes someone is killed by a drunk driver and that traffic accidents are the leading cause
of death for teens. The students stated that there should be more events that encourage youth not to drink, like the assembly
held in March with Donna Collins as the speaker. They also indicated that they felt that there was not enough for youth to do
in Ware County and suggested more organized sports (outside of school), cook outs for youth and youth leadership programs.
The students were accompanied by Miss Molly Morrison, Ware County High School Leadership Class teacher.
II.
Overview of Community Assessment – Albany State University Social Work Students
Connie Miss, Gail Stewart-Martin, and Joan Grunden Senior Social Work students at Albany State University gave an overview
of the community needs assessment on teen pregnancy. They explained that the qualitative responses are divided into two
sections similar to the quantitative results. Young adult responses will include statements from survey participants ages 18 –
24 and adult responses are from participants aged 25 or older. Young adults responded “yes” when asked if they would like to
have further education on pregnancy, STD’s and abstinence and indicated that they would have liked it when they were
younger “instead of now”. Some adult responses included these comments: Churches need to be more involved and there needs
to be more awareness brought to the community on how to prevent and where to go to prevent pregnancy and STD’s. * We need
more awareness at a younger age, high school is too late. * People need to start educating at the beginning of middle school.
Middle school children are exposed right when starting. * There are too many barriers and Georgia teaches abstinence which I am
for; however, the reality is when a young person is only educated on abstinence and not prevention, their choices are limited.
The students presented a paper format of a poster that will be made available to the Children’s Initiative for presentations and
will present a written report at the May 21st meeting.
III.
Drug & Alcohol testing in Ware County schools – Franklin Stephens, WCHS Football Coach
Ware County High School Football Coach, Franklin Stephens presented information on a new policy that is being considered
for adoption in the Ware County Schools. Coach Stephens indicated that his experience with students has lead him to believe
that alcohol and marijuana are the drugs of choice with Ware County High School students. He believes that students involved
in extracurricular activities should be subject to voluntary drug testing as part of their privilege to participate in sports and
other activities.
IV.
Magnolia House
Morgan McDonald, Magnolia House Advocate presented information on Parenting education classes. She indicated that
Magnolia House provides different parent support sessions from the Active Parenting curriculum and the Channing Bete
Parent Workbooks. Different topics are offered and the sessions are designed as a one-on-one session with a child advocate.
Parents are free to ask questions in a judgement free zone. Magnolia House staff identifies strategies for better techniques,
talk about specific struggles, discuss time management and talks to parents about their childhoods. Morgan reported that
clients enjoy the simplicity of the session as well as the opportunity for an active and engaged listener.
V.
Satilla Advocacy Services
Terry Anderson reported that the Heroes for Kids Run held on Saturday, April 11th was a huge success. Over 200 people
participated in the run to raise awareness for child abuse. She also reported that in the first quarter of 2015 Satilla Advocacy
Services has seen over 50 “new” clients per month with 70% of them being children.
VI.
Misc.
Gail introduced Jay Jones, Program Manager of the Department of Juvenile Justice as a new member of the board of the Ware
Children’s Initiative. Jay will take Brian Blount’s place. Brian retired earlier in the year. She also mentioned that there would
be a health fair at Garlington Heights on May 18 th for any agency wishing to participate and that a retirement party for Debi
Jones would be held on May 14th at the Board of Education from 3:30 – 5:30.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:15.
Lynne Scroczynski, Recorder
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April 16, 2015 Organizational Reports
Jobs for Youth Job Fair
Thursday, April 16th 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Ware County High School Performing Arts Center
Sponsored by: Georgia Department of Labor, Waycross Career Center, The Greater Satilla Area Employer Committee and
Ware County High School
Exchange Club of Waycross – Ginger Peagler
May 2nd – Annual Plant Sale at the Okefenokee Agricultural Fairgrounds
Ware County BOE – Sandra Osburn
May 14th – 3:30 – 5:30 pm Debi Jones Retirement Reception
Room 202, Ware County Board of Education
Southern Georgia Area Agency on Aging – Sabrina Carver
Ongoing community services for the elderly and disabled. Call 287-5888 or email sjcarver@ sgrc.us for more information
Concerted Services Head Start
April 30th Volunteer Luncheon at Second Baptist Church, invitations have been sent, please RSVP by April 23rd


Head Start pre-school recruitment in progress contact 912-284-0369 or 912-285-2092 to schedule an
appointment to complete an application at the Head Start at 1235 McDonald Street, Waycross. Children must be 3
or 4 by September 1, 2015.
Head Start is seeking letters of support for our upcoming grant application. If you would be willing to write a
letter describing how you or your organization has partnered with Head Start and or how Head Start has
positively impacted our community, please contact Shelli Tyre.
Hearts for Families – Lynne Sroczynski
 HEARTS for Families along with Unison Behavioral Health has started another All Stars Class. Two more All Stars
classes are scheduled for this summer. One will be held at the summer Academy held by the RIVERS Foundation
and the other at Garlington Heights in partnership with the Waycross Blackshear Housing Authority. The
programs are for middle school age youth.
 The last Positive Community Norm message is in both middle schools. There will be one more focus group with
each middle school to discuss the first poster for the next school year. We are also planning to expand this
program to the high school next year.
 We will continue the Administrative Sanctions Focus Groups by community sectors for the next several months.
 If you are interested in any of these programs, please contact Lynne Scroczynski at 912-682-7019 or
lynnes@heartsforfamilies.org.