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Program, from ia works specifically with families who have children enrolled in Perry •Elementary, Perry Middle, Lindsey {Elementary and Tabor Middle When children in those •four schools are referred to us, our •programs often extend to children in pother schools, if there are brothers {or sisters in school, or pre-school if {there are pre-school-age children in {the family," Ferguson said. { "Family Connection works with {the whole family, but only a family {that wants the services we offer is {involved,” she said. J "There is a support team for each {end of the county The team, which •consists of a case manager, a family •therapist, a registered nurse and a •site coordinator, goes to each of the jfour schools enrolled in the •program and works with families •referred to us by sch<x)l counselors. {The case manager coordinates {everything and links the family {with the needed resources," Ferguson said. {.Gov. Zell Miller established the {family Connection program to {assist families through a collaboration of community service {agencies. In Houston County, the ligencies include Peachbell Mental tlealth Center, the Houston County School system, Houston County lealth Department, Houston 'ounty Department of Family and (Children's Services, Houston (County Sheriff’s Department, (louston County Youth Services, (iouston Drug Action Council, County Commission, court-appointed Special Advocate, Rainbow House, Inc., Middle Georgia Community Action and the Houston County suvenile Court. "The whole point of Family Connection is working with the family," Ferguson said. ill r- DR. J. CRAIG PATTERSON w Hip Pain «- Pain between Shoulder FIND OUT NOW WHETHER CAREFUL PROFESSIONAL CHIROPRACTIC CARE CAN RELIEVE YOUR ACHES AND PAINS This examination normally costs $35.00 or more. It will include an orthopedic lest, a neurological test, a blood pressure test, a spinal alignment check, an examination for restricted or excessive motion of the spine, a muscle strength test, and a private consultation to discuss the results. Any further treatment shall be agreed upon ir. writing by both parties. PATTERSON "V CHIROPRACTIC CENTER 1304 Macon Road • Perrv, 'Georaia • 987-7555 2k Samuel ‘Palmer and Stall Would yliAe to WlJi Saeruane a 9 Tletry SfiridmciA and a Sf&eciat 3/uwla to: •All of our patients for your continual support. •The Perry Hospital-the friendliest and most caring hospital Vve been associated with. •The Bank of Perry and Jimmy Faircloth for their financial banking andfriendship. •Dr. Stewart and Staff for their many referrals when business was slow. •Our families for their unconditional love and support. SMdjpjfUj, c tlem tyear "The child's problem is often related to the family's problem, for example, a child may be performing poorly at school because of tension at home created because the father does not have a job and may have a substance-abuse (alcohol or drugs) problem. The case manager provides support and links the family to the appropriate agencies which can help solve their problems. Often, the support is on -going and the case manager stays in touch with the family," Ferguson said. The Houston County Board of Education, at its meeting last week, agreed to provide $42,200 from its reserve fund to get the program through the end of the fiscal year. "It would have been a wing and a prayer, month-by-month, if the school board hadn’t agreed to help," Ferguson said. Family Connection is funded by a $30,000 state grant and Medicaid reimbursements. Grants from other state and federal sources also help and hospitals in Perry and Warner Robins provide registered nurses. Expenditures for the current fiscal year were budgeted at $101,200 and income was projected at $59,000. "We have just received notification from the Interna! Revenue Service that we are a non profit agency and can receive tax dedacfible donations,” Ferguson said. Volunteers are also needed to provide help with tutoring students in a particular subject, transportation to medical or non medical appointments, help with parenting programs and support groups for parents. Donations are needed to help pay for prescription medicines, back-to-school or seasonal clothing needs and to help pay for summer camp FREE FULL SPINAL EXAMINATION No Obligation, Nothing to Pay You may have one of these 12 DANGER SIGNALS OF PINCHED NERVES: «■ Low Back Pain «• Painful Joints er Arm/Leg Pain « Headaches w Bursitis «• Muscle Spasms a - Neck Pain Dizziness «■ Numbness Arm/Leg opportunities. "We need to expand to serve a higher number of non-Medicaid families. There are a lot of children that need our services that we just can't help because of a lack of funding," Ferguson said. "The support the Board of Education is providing means we will serve many more families that need support, but do not qualify for other state and federal programs," she said. The program is currently serving approximately 35 families. "The maximum we like to have each case manager working is 25-30 families," Ferguson said. "The vision of our Family Connection program is that we could provide services for every school in the county," Ferguson said. Jackson, from 1A adult. "I make mostly As and Bs, with a C thrown in every now and then. I like science best. I think God will show me what I'll be when I get older." If her parents were healthy, what would Amanda want for Christmas? It took some urging from her parents to answer: a pair of boots that are popular with teens today ("They look like work boots," she said) and a Walkman casette tape player that also has an AM/FM radio. But, she'd gladly go without any gifts under the small Christmas tree in their apartment if her Mom and Dad could have their health problems cured. BOE, from 1/V Chapel elementary schools, thanks to funding from Perry Hospital. The $25,000 budgeted by the hospital from its indigent care fund will cover nurses salaries and equipment needed at the four schools. There are already four schools with clinics operating, Perry Elementary, Lindsey Elementary, Tabor Middle and Perry Middle schools. Kathy Shiplett, the school system's head nurse, said the in school clinic program currently involves two licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and herself. The expansion will add two registered nurses (RNs) to split up the number of schools among the three RNs. "We work with the Public Health Department and Family Connection staffs of LPNs," Shiplett said, "to provide health care needs for those children who don't have a private health-care provider. We can spot those children who are eligible for Medicaid and see that they are enrolled." The in-school clinic staff will not Quality in a company creates quality in a job. Find out what we can offer to you. We are starting our state-of-the-art processing plant. Candidates are needed for: Experienced Will Train •Maintenance Mechanic (All Shifts) •Electrician/Electronic Technician • Poultry Process Technicians (Strong Industrial Electrical Background) •Cargill is a company known worldwide for quality in our products and our people. That reputation is built on a first-class work environment: •Excellent Hourly Salaries •Company Training Program •Competitive Benefits *Safe, Modern Workplace •Health & Dental *Paid Vacations & Holidays If you are interested, please complete an application at any of the following locations: LOCATIONS NAME DAYS TIME Eastman Dept, of Labor Mon.-Fri. BAM-2PM Perry Dept, of Labor Mon.-Fri. BAM-4:3OPM Sylvester Dept, of Labor Mon.-Fri. BAM-4:3OPM Cordele Dept, of Labor Mon.-Fri. BAM-4:3OPM Vienna City Hall Mon.-Fri. B:3OAM-SPM Unadilla City Hall Thurs. Only 10AM-3PM Ashbum Chamber Wed. Only 10AM-3PM of Commerce Equal Opportunity Employer t K N O^f^^nOlM! •Every Sweater -Every Shirt & Blouse i • Every Knit Top I -Every Jean & Pant 1| -Every Coat W -Every Jogset , -Every Accessory td r^rirn -liPiß m Ww * f i j ; nB JHHf J 1 iy I | «N7^w /c, r~ ' * ron THI SIORF l\lt AH YOU CfluTFTu^TTyffil BMWBHBMBBWBBBaBBBBBBaHBBWWBBMBBBBBBBBt*?BB|y|fIft^Lgg£|SSjj2|S^ Wednesday, December 21,1394, Houston Times -Joumtf be doing medical diagnoses or complete examinations, Shiplett explained. "We will be providing health-care checks and then arranging with the parents and physicians for whatever care and treatment the child needs. Our LPNs will do limited exams on ill or injured children and then notify the parents and arrange for a doctor to see the child for further care." The clinic staff of LPNs will support the RNs who come to the school on a regular basis. "The health care community in Houston County has always worked hand-in-hand with the schools," Shiplett said. "If we have a child with a health problem, we never have a problem getting proper health care. Each registered nurse will be at one of the schools a half-day and will collaborate with the Public Health Department and Family Connection LPNs to provide health assessments. At the middle and high school levels, the clinics will also check the student" nutritional needs as well as their henlih needs. Shiplett said. There have been no major health problems in the Houston County schools this year. Shiplett said. "We've had the normal colds and flu and sniffles." she said In other action, the school board approved the allocation on $42,200 from its reserve funds to Family Connection, to help fund the program through June 30. Family Connection provides services like job search assistance, GED education counseling and access to supplemental food and health care. The board also approved a federally required school bus drug and alcohol testing program. The program covers all county school bus drivers and other employees with CDL licenses, including teachers who drive buses for field trips. Monthly tests will be given on randomly selected drivers. The meeting was the final one for retiring board chairman Zell Blackmon, who was praised by each board member and Hinnant. Page 5A