(L to R) Mrs. Juanita Godley and Carol Clarke, CCSP Care Coordinator

Ask Juanita Godley about the things for which she is thankful and having a place of her own will be at the top of her list.  Several years ago, Mrs. Godley became very ill for an extended period of time and had to enter the nursing home to receive 24 hour care.  During the course of events, she had to give up her residence and most of her furniture and belongings.  Mrs. Godley states she was very well treated at Glenview and she loved the staff and the other residents, but she longed for a home of her own. She talked to the social worker and nursing staff but the concern was that she would need assistance to live alone. Her family was unable to assume the responsibility of her total care. Fortunately, the nursing home social worker was aware that the Community Care Services Program is designed to help the elderly and disabled remain in their homes as independently as possible, for as long as possible. 

The social worker referred Mrs. Godley to the Heart of Georgia’s Area Agency on Aging’s Gateway screening.  She was then assessed by a Concerted Services, Inc.’s Community Care RN and was determined to be eligible to live in her own home with the appropriate level of care and assistance.

Mrs. Godley wanted to stay in Glennville and very much wanted to move to Country Estates.   However, no apartment was available at that time so she was prepared for a long wait.   When an apartment finally became available, Mrs. Godley was reassessed by Community Care staff and was ready to move in when another stumbling block occurred.  She needed deposits for water and utilities.   By this time, it was apparent to all who knew her that Mrs. Godley was determined to live on her own.  Through the combined efforts of the social workers, the CCSP coordinator, the service provider, and family and friends, Mrs. Godley finally got her home in Country Estates.   The staff from Community Home Nursing and her CCSP coordinator even helped her to get furnishings for her new home.  Through Community Care she receives nutritious home delivered meals, a nurse to set up her medications, and an aide from Community Home Nursing, who helps her with personal care, shopping, and housekeeping chores. Mrs. Godley has become very attached to her aide, Denise. They consider each other family.  Mrs. Godley has not forgotten the care and support she received at Glenview Nursing Home and visits often to see old friends, often taking little gifts.  She has also been able to have some of her friends visit her home for a day and occasionally overnight.

 Last year, Mrs. Godley had knee surgery and had to go back to the nursing home for rehab.  She said she was so overwhelmed when they wheeled her in on a gurney because everyone was so happy to see her.  She heard them all saying, “Look, she’s back” to which she smilingly replied, “Just for a little while”.

Determined as ever, her recovery was quick and she is back in her home.   Her apartment is cheery.  There are family pictures everywhere, knick-knacks inside and out, flower arrangements on end tables, a beautiful tablecloth on her table, and a welcome sign on her door.  Mrs. Godley has a place of her own where everyone is welcome and all who visit this sweet, kind lady will find her home as warm and comforting as her twinkling eyes and her beautiful smile.

Community Care staff are so pleased to be a part of enabling Mrs. Godley to remain in her home.  Her story embodies the goal of the Community Care Program to increase CCSP clients’ quality of life and their ability to remain in the community. Concerted Services, Inc.’s Community Care Program is funded through the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission and the Division of Aging, Department of Human Services. Anyone interested in CCSP services my contact the Heart of Georgia Regional Commission at 912-367-3648 or 1-888-367-9913.

The essay is to be entitled “What has the Community Action Movement Meant to My Community.”  The essay must be no more than three (3) typewritten pages, doubled spaced.  The Essay must be received no later than March 22, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. to the following address (No Faxes):  Ms. Carolyn C. Blackshear, Educational Talent Search Director, Concerted Services, Inc., P. O. Box 1550/111 Medical Arts Drive, Reidsville, GA 30453.

For further information, you may contact Ms. Blackshear (cblackshear@concertedservices.org) at 912-557-6687 or Linda Steedley (lbsteedley@concertedservices.org) and Carol Clarke (cclarke@concertedservices.org).  Ms. Steedley’s  and Ms. Clarke’s phone number is 912-285-6083.

The GHSA Margo Sommors’ Head Start Student Scholarship is open to former Head Start students who have been enrolled in a Head Start program in the state of Georgia.  Open to high school seniors scheduled to graduate in 2012, the student must complete an entry form and write a 500 – 1,000 word survey on “Why I Should Receive a Head Start Scholarship.”  The applications are graded on a one hundred (100) point criteria

The GHSA Margo Sommors’ Parent Scholarship is open to former and current parents of Head Start children.  Parents must submit a 500-1,000 word essay on”Why I Need the Head Start Scholarship” and complete an entry form.  They must be currently enrolled and show evidence of enrollment in a college or university for an undergraduate degree, of less than 90 credit hours.

Both scholarships are for one year period only and winners are not eligible to apply again.

For more information, please contact the local Concerted Services, Inc. Head Start Center and speak to a Family Advocate for forms and criteria, or call Letta cox at 1-800-477-8275.

Local city and county officials join Ms. Ophelia Gaines (center), CSI executive director at the Waycross Ware County Ribbon Cutting and Open House

Ms. Ophelia K. Gaines, Concerted Services, Inc. Executive Director is proud to announce the relocation of the Waycross-Ware County Service Center to 960-C City Boulevard in Waycross. The center was previously located on Gilmore Street.

A ribbon cutting and open house was held on January 25, 2012 to celebrate the move. Special guests were Mayor Clarence Billups; Mr. Jimmy Brown, Ware County Commission Chairman; Mr. Carlos Nelson, Ware County Commissioner & CSI Executive Board member; Mr. Deron King, Waycross City Manager; Ms. Vanessa Melton, Project Administrator with DHS Community Based Programs Unit; and Ms. Jan Sanchez, Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce.

“The new office is more spacious and convenient and also has more parking,” stated Ms. Sherry Barnes, Ware County Coordinator. Ms. Barnes and her staff invite everyone to come by the new location and take a tour.

(L to R) Bank of America representatives: Jessi Mathis, teller supervisor; Tracey Sapp, assistant manager; Christen Fraley, banking center manager; CSI Representatives: Jack Parker, fiscal/compliance director; and Bryan Singleton, human resources director

“Concerted Services, Inc. is proud to announce that Bank of America is partnering with CSI to help individuals in Ware County learn general financial knowledge of saving, credit and money management,” stated Ms. Ophelia K. Gaines, CSI Executive Director.  “In a recent community assessment, stakeholders in our service delivery area reported their need for support in money management.  Issues included inadequate management of their credit card debt, their checking accounts, and knowing how to save regularly.  Knowing this along with the fact that Georgia is 43^rd in the nation for median credit card debt, significantly over the nation’s average in individual debt and ranked 50^th in the nation for bankruptcies, we knew we had to do something,” continued Ms.
Gaines.

The staff at CSI researched various programs and concluded that the Money Smart Program would best meet the needs of the individuals and families served.  Bank of America was then contacted and generously agreed to support this pilot program by donating $2,500.

The Money Smart Program, developed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), is a comprehensive financial education curriculum designed to help low and moderate-income individuals outside the financial mainstream to enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships. The 10-module program covers topics such as an introduction to banking, borrowing basics, how to keep a checking account, how to keep track of your money, learning to save, the client’s rights as a consumer, information about one’s credit history, how to make a credit card work for you, learning how to get loans, and how to own your own home.

CSI will make an announcement in the near future regarding the program dates and eligibility requirements.   “We are very excited about this new venture with Bank of America that will enable us to meet some specific money management needs of our clientele.  We look forward to forming many new partnerships as we continue to invest in lives and transform communities,” stated Ms. Gaines.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program, appropriated to the State of Georgia, coordinated through the Department of Human Services to Community Action Agencies.  The State of Georgia has received, to date, approximately $18 million under the existing Continuing Resolution in Congress. These funds were allocated to assist the homebound and senior population in November and have now been exhausted.   Since the State of Georgia has not received any further federal allocation, we will maintain a waiting list.   Therefore, until additional funds are available, we cannot commit funds that we do not have.

Concerted Services, Inc. stands ready to continue the LIHEAP program as soon as resources are available. We regret any hardship to those we are committed to serve and will keep the public informed of any updates as we receive them. 

 For additional questions or comments, please contact your congressional delegation:

• Kathy Bradford, Editor, The Advance-Progress & Advantage
• Melissa Boyd, Realtor
• Debbie Evans, Toombs/Montgomery Chamber of Commerce
• Paula Toole, Downtown Vidalia Association
• Earl (The Pearl) Averett, DJ
• Chuck Sage, Retired Law Enforcement

Agency Background

Community Services Department

Elderly Services Program

Educational Talent Search

Financial Report

Head Start

Wayne Crawford

Weatherization

Concerted Services, Inc. is proud to honor Mr. Wayne Crawford as the 2011 award recipient.