Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services

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Gwinnett

Back-To-School Immunizations Affect Health, Law and School

July 18, 2019 by kfenton

Beat the back to school rush!

Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale County (GNR) Health Departments encourage parents to bring their children and teenagers for early vaccinations to protect themselves against disease.

Every year, the Health Department gears up for a back-to-school, immunizations extravaganza. We like to call it Back-to-School Rush. The time for back-to-school immunizations demonstrates the true essence of public health at work, that is, the Health Department working closely with school, government, and community partners to make sure that our communities are protected. The Gwinnett County Public School system is the largest school system in Georgia with 143 schools and an estimated enrollment of almost 180,000 students. Due to the large volume of students in the county, the Health Department works collaboratively with the school system to educate parents about the vaccines required to attend public school. All school-required immunizations are available at all Health Department locations.

GEORGIA LAW
Georgia law states no child can be admitted to or attend any school or facility in this state unless the child has submitted a certificate of immunization to the responsible official of the school or facility. The Health Department will document all new immunizations on the Georgia Certificate of Immunization, Form 3231, as required by the school system, or can transfer previous immunizations to the form for a small fee.

VACCINE REQUIREMENTS
Effective July 1, 2014, for entrance into Georgia public school, grades kindergarten through 12, students must have a total of two doses of measles vaccine, two doses of mumps vaccine, one dose of rubella vaccine and a total of two doses of varicella vaccine. If the child does not meet Georgia requirements, the Health Departments can vaccinate your child with the needed immunization.

Our website has locations and hours of operation of the health centers. For immunizations we accept cash, credit cards (except American Express), Medicaid, Peachcare, Aetna, and BlueCross BlueShield.

Here is a list of all the immunizations required by law that can protect against 12 diseases:

*DTaP – Diptheria
*DTap – Tetanus
Hib – Haemophilus influenza type B
HepA – Hepatitis A
(HepB) – Hepatitis B
**MMR – Measles
**MMR – Mumps
**MMR – Rubella
*DTap – Pertussis
PCV13 – Pneumococcal
IPV – Poliomyelitis
Chicken pox – Varicella

* DTaP combines protection against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.

** MMR combines protection against measles, mumps, and rubella.

IMPORTANCE OF VACCINE SCHEDULE
The Health Department encourages parents to bring their children to the health centers early in the summer to beat the back-to-school rush, which usually starts in late July or August. The timing of vaccination before school starts is important so that children, teenagers, and young adults can not only protect themselves against life threatening illnesses but it can also prevent delay in school attendance and school participation.

The Health Departments offer every vaccine listed on the current vaccine schedule. It’s important for children to be vaccinated at certain ages because researchers and scientists have determined that the ages displayed on the schedule are the specific times when the body’s immune system will provide optimal protection against disease after vaccination. There is no research to show that a child would be equally protected against diseases with a different schedule.

KINDERGARTEN
Every child entering into the Georgia school system (Kindergarten – 12th grade), or a child care facility is required by law to be protected against 12 diseases. Students must have a Georgia Certificate of Immunization, Form 3231. The Health Department will document all new immunizations on this form or can transfer previous immunizations on the form for a small fee.

7th GRADE BACK TO SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS
All students born on or after January 1, 2002, and entering, advancing or transferring into 7th grade in Georgia needs proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) and an adolescent meningococcal vaccination (“MCV4”). The HPV, chickenpox, and influenza vaccines are also recommended for preteens and teens.

COLLEGE
Living in student dormitories can put college students at higher risk for spreading disease. Students, especially, living in residence halls should be vaccinated with the meningococcal conjugate (meningitis) vaccine. If they received this vaccine before their 16th birthday, a booster dose is recommended before going to college for maximum protection.

TEAM PLAYERS AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Months of preparation are devoted to ensure that plenty of staff members, resources, and support are available to operate the clinics efficiently during the high volume time. Efforts across the different programs of the Health Department provide optimal service to our clients. Employees from emergency preparedness, WIC, epidemiology, and women’s health programs volunteer their time to assist staff at our three Gwinnett-based health centers in Lawrenceville, Norcross, and Buford. Information on immunizations, school screenings, and school requirements are shared with the general public, community partners, and our staff before the back-to-school rush to increase awareness of school immunizations. To learn more visit www.gnrhealth.com.

 

For information about the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, please contact Keith Fenton, Chief Operating Officer, at 770-995-3339 or keith@gwinnettcoalition.org.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: GCPS, GNR Health Department, Gwinnett, Gwinnett Coalition, Gwinnett Health Department, Immunizations, Keith Fenton

Diary of a Gwinnett Coalition Intern

July 16, 2019 by kfenton

“Interning with the Gwinnett Coalition has by far been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.” – Chelsea Ballew

My name is Chelsea Ballew and I serve as the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services’s summer intern. I am finishing up my studies at the University of Georgia with a degree in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science.  Upon beginning my internship, I have been encouraged to document my experiences. When I started my internship with the Gwinnett Coalition, I never could have imagined all that I would gain and the opportunities I would have to give back to the community I grew up in. Interning with the Coalition has by far been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

Here is just a snapshot of the many experiences I have had this past week:

July 8, 2019:  On Monday, I started the day emailing all of the registered participants of the Stewards of Children training. The Stewards of Children is a two- hour training that educates adults on how to react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse. It is the only evidence-based training proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and change child protective behaviors. When I first started planning the Stewards of Children training is seemed so far away. I am very proud of how this event has come together as 24 individuals from 9 different organizations were trained.  It has been a great learning experience. I thoroughly enjoy planning and executing events such as this one. On Monday I also had the opportunity to gain more knowledge about one of the Coalition’s partner agencies, View Point Health. Prior to my site visit, I had minimal background knowledge of View Point Health and the services they offered. I was shocked by the wide range of services offered by the organization and that they are 1 of 22 agencies in Georgia with these services. The Chief Executive Office, Jennifer Hibbard informed me that in 2018 alone they served 16,000 individuals across all of their mental health, substance abuse, and developmental/intellectual disabilities services. I knew they had a variety of outpatient services, but I did not know they also had residential facilities for people with substance abuse. I found it intriguing just how many services were offered at this one facility. Jennifer also provided me with some great information about ViewPoint that I can share with people on the Gwinnett Helpline. For example, I did not know they offered walk-up services until 2pm and assisted clients on a first come first serve basis. After my site visit, I gathered all of the materials for the Stewards of Children training and filled out the certificates for the facilitator to sign. This was the most time-consuming part of my day, but I was more than glad to do it. I wanted to get everything together today so I was not rushing last minute on Tuesday to get everything in order.

July 9, 2019:  On Tuesday, I spent most of the morning getting last minute items in order for the Stewards of Children training. After lunch, I visited Annandale Village, the intellectual and developmental disabilities community is one I have always had a passion for. I absolutely loved their facility and all of the work they do. I cannot believe there are only three facilities in the country like Annandale. What I thought would be an hour tour turned into three. They have a very unique facility. I love how they take their residents on various excursions throughout the week from baseball games, going to the movies and visiting the grocery store. This is a community I believe is highly underserved. Annandale goes above and beyond to allow their residents to live out a long and purposeful life.

I got to meet several of their residents. I even had one of their residents show me his half-court shot. It warmed my heart to spend time with them! I am really glad I got to visit Annandale during my internship. When I got home, I could not stop talking to my mom about my visit.

July 10, 2019:  On Wednesday, I participated in the Stewards of Children training I had been planning for several weeks. This week was one of the most rewarding weeks thus far. When my supervisor, Keith Fenton, first gave me the task of planning this training, I was kind of nervous since this was like nothing I have ever done before, but it went better than I could have ever imagined. Not only did I learn a lot about hosting and planning a training session, but I also learned a lot about child sexual abuse. I have worked with children for most of my life from babysitting to teaching children in afterschool programs, but this training has changed my outlook forever. This course provided me with the steps and knowledge to be able to help a child in need. As an individual who will eventually have children of my own this training also showed me how to talk to my future child about sexual abuse and sex in general. My parents never talked with about sexual abuse and this is something I will be very upfront with my child about so they know not only what is right and wrong, but also that I am an adult they can trust if anything was to ever happen. I believe this training should be administered to any person who interacts with children or has children of their own.

July 11, 2019:  On Thursday, I attended a Social Storytelling training hosted by the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. I thoroughly enjoyed the training and gained valuable insight into social media for nonprofits. The topics covered in the training included where to find content, how to measure marketing efforts, mapping out the target audience and fundraising. A lot of the information covered was similar to what I learned in my marketing and health communications courses, especially the SWOT analysis. I found the statistics they shared in regard to the number of Facebook and Instagram users to be shocking. It was surprising to me that the highest demographic on Facebook is people ages 25-34. I was also surprised that the highest traffic on Facebook occurs midweek between one and three o’clock.  Just last year $300 million dollars was raised for non-profits solely off Facebook birthday donations. I have really enjoyed all of the training and seminars I have attended throughout my internship. After the training, I assisted on the Gwinnett Helpline for the rest of the day.

July 12, 2019:   On Friday, I worked the on the Coalition’s Gwinnett Helpline. We had a large number of calls, I filled up almost two call sheets. We are still having a ton of callers requesting financial assistance for rent. Helpline Director, Suzy Bus, and I both had quite a few calls from Spanish speaking individuals. I am glad the Gwinnett Helpline exists as it provides a valuable resource to individuals and families in need.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Chelsea Ballew, Gwinnett, Gwinnett Coalition, Gwinnett Helpline, Keith Fenton, Stewards of Children

Homelessness in Gwinnett: Point-In-Time Count 2019

December 26, 2018 by kfenton

Prosperous communities, like Gwinnett County, often present the illusion that homelessness could not possibly exist. However, a closer look reveals a sobering reality.  Homelessness in Gwinnett is real and it is here!

How many people are currently homeless in Gwinnett County? How many of them are families, youth, seniors, or veterans? The answers to these questions may soon be answered as Gwinnett County prepares for the Point-In-Time (PIT) count on January 28 – January 31, 2019.

The PIT count aims to calculate the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness on any given night in Gwinnett County.  The count records the number of individuals staying in shelters and transitional housing and estimates the number of individuals who are unsheltered — sleeping outdoors, in parks, on the street, in vehicles, abandoned buildings, under bridges, and other places not meant for human habitation.

The information learned from the count will provide us with a unique opportunity to understand not only the depth of Gwinnett’s homeless population, but also where they are located and what may have led them to becoming homeless. Ultimately, the count also provides an opportunity to plan services and programs to appropriately address local needs, measure progress in decreasing homelessness, and identify strengths and gaps in Gwinnett’s current homelessness assistance system.

Homelessness is a complex social problem with a variety of underlying economic and social factors such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, uncertain physical and mental health, addictions, and community and family breakdown. These factors, in varying combinations, contribute to duration, frequency, and type of homelessness. To be fully homeless is to live without shelter; however, many experience partial homelessness that can include uncertain, temporary, or sub-standard shelter.

Two all too-real examples of homelessness recently revealed themselves when contacting the Gwinnett Coalition’s Helpline in search of help:

He served his country and did three tours in Iraq. He experienced death, war and battle. He came home with an honorable discharge, post-traumatic stress disorder and few employment opportunities. One piece of bad luck followed another until he found himself sleeping in the alleyway of a shopping center. He just wants a job and the chance to get his life together again.

She is a woman of a certain age, a homemaker married for 30 years before her husband left her. The last thing she would ever do is to become a burden to her grown children who live in different states. They think Mom is doing OK, but Mom is not OK. You see, she lost her house eight months ago and has been sleeping in a car every night since and visiting libraries in the daytime hours trying her best to blend in.

Organizers from the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, in partnership with United Way’s HomeFirst Initiative, Partnership Against Domestic Violence, and Obria Medical Clinics, are inviting government, non-profit and faith-based organizations, businesses, community and advocacy groups, and private citizens to help fill more than 700 volunteer positions needed to conduct the Point-In-Time count.

Volunteers will work in teams to complete the visual count by visiting encampments, extended stay hotels, nonprofit service agencies, hospitals and clinics, and many other locations in every municipality in Gwinnett County, which is why volunteers are essential to conducting a robust and accurate count.

To volunteer, please visit the following link: SIGN-UP TO VOLUNTEER or contact Keith Fenton, the Gwinnett Coalition’s Chief Operating Officer at 770-995-3339 or keith@gwinnettcoalition.org

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Gwinnett, Gwinnett Coalition, HomeFirst, Homeless, Point-In-Time

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The Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services is a public/private partnership whose mission is to facilitate collaboration that improves the well-being of the community.

We accomplish this mission by identifying needs and resources, setting priorities, planning solutions, focusing on results and educating and motivating the community to action.

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