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 | | Bradfield Center Program Director, Dr. Kim Bond, and Education Coordinator, Etta Billingslea, celebrate initial SACS Accreditation for Ault Academy. |
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Hope Herald
A TCYFS newsletter about
Hope for a brighter tomorrow |
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Bradfield Center's
Ault Academy
Gains Initial
SACS CASI Accreditation | On January 20, Bradfield Center's on-site school, Ault Academy, gained initial SACS CASI Accreditation. While the accreditation process began almost 2 years ago an official site review was held on January 19th
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Etta and fellow Ault Academy Staff Members submit the self assessment for SACS accreditation in December of 2010. |
and 20th.
During the on-site review, accreditation team members interviewed:
-11 TCYFS Administrators & Leadership Team Members
- 9 Teachers & Para-Professionals
-12 Related Agency Support Staff
-11 Parents and Board and Community Members
-12 Students
TOTAL Stakeholders 55
Made 9 classroom visits to observe instruction
Ault Academy Education Coordinator, Etta Billingslea, shared, "The SACS process was both challenging and rewarding. It was challenging in that our education team was required to continue its rigid schedule of educating the youth of Ault Academy, while spending long hours before and after school writing and gathering evidence and artifacts to prove our worthiness to be a SACS accredited school. It was a rewarding experience for the education team as we discovered each other's hidden gifts and talents. We came together as a cohesive team that overcame the barriers of being small (11 staff members) and limited in the area of SACS experience (most of the staff had never been through the process while the rest of us experienced that the process had been completely overhauled.)The education team took on the process with the STUDENTS as our motivation. We believe that "Kids don't care what you know until they know you care". We proudly claim to be the "Best Little School in the State of Georgia."
Ault Academy was established in 1999 at Bradfield Center to ensure that residents would have the ability to continue their education while recovering from abuse and neglect. Today, there are only 23 residential schools in Georgia.
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Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home Residents Chosen to Participate in Leadership Seminar with Brookstone School |
 In partnership with Brookstone School through their Senior Capstone Project, girls at the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home have been selected to participate in a Leadership Seminar. The first phase of the 3 month project is a training session. This month, 16 AESH residents will be mentored by Brookstone Seniors and together they will plan a community event for the children of International Friendship Ministries. Through the planning and implementation of this event, it is our hope that residents will develop effective communication skills, motivation skills, problem solving, time management and group cohesiveness through the examples set by Brookstone Seniors. Thanks to Brookstone and their Servant Leadership Staff for offering our residents such a wonderful opportunity.  | |
TCYFS Executive Director, Mike Angstadt, offers an orientation session for Brookstone Seniors. |
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CASA Day at the Capitol |
 Rosalind Alston, Alaina Barnett, Heather Irvin & Volunteer Laurie Smithson from Chattachoochee CASA attended the annual "JUSTGeorgia/CASA Day at the Capitol" in Atlanta on February 8th. The day included the presentation of a CASA proclamation and a group photo with Governor Nathan Deal. The group also met with Rep. Debbie Buckner and Rep. Carolyn Hugley to ask for support of CASA and child welfare issues. Through individualized attention, CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected and abandoned children. Bringing urgency to a child's needs, both in and out of a courtroom, CASA volunteers promote safety, permanency and well-being through independent recommendations. For more information about CASA, visit www.twincedars.org or call 706.327.9612 ext 6 or email ralston@twincedars.org Photo Credit : Georiga CASA |
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Our TCYFS Programs | |
Mike Angstadt,
Executive Director
Columbus
Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home
Reality House
Weracoba Second Chance
Children's Tree House
Chattahoochee CASA
T.R.U.S.T.
Community Counseling
Child Support Recovery Visitation Program
LaGrange
Bradfield Center
Connections
Coleman Center (LaGrange) Community Counseling Circle of Care Adult Parenting Comprehensive Awareness Program Children's Advocacy Center of Troup County Supervised Visitation Troup Co. Prevention Coalition Parents As Teachers
Magnolias Neighborhood (LaGrange)
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Our TCYFS Foundation |
Arthur B. "Skin" Edge, III
Vice President
Gene Kemp
Secretary/Treasurer Jerry Fulks
Liaison to the
TCYFS Board of Directors
Nancy Durand
Clifton Fay
Susan Prather |
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Welcome New TCYFS Staff |
Heather Irvin
Volunteer Coordinator
Chattachooche CASA |
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CONGRATULATIONS! |
Congratulations to Alaina Barnett, a recent CPRS2 Contest Winner!
 Alaina won 2nd place in the CPRS2 contest for identifying improvements in CASA features.
CPRS2 is the Court Process Reporting System that allows courts to view case plans. |
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Ware Street Improvements Begin
TCYFS Administrative Departments Get Updated Office Space
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As a part of Twin Cedars' Improvement Plan, the organization's Ware Street Building will be receiving needed renovations this year. To assist with those renovations, LaGrange College's Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Jon Ernstberger, and his "Jan Term" students studying Affordable and Sustainable Housing agreed to partner with TCYFS by taking part in the demolition process. Participation allowed students to experience the
Service Learning Component of their "Jan Term." This offered local students the opportunity to explore course content outside of their major. Once renovations have been completed the building will offer new office space for Twin Cedars' Human Resources and Finance Departments and other Administrative staff as needed. Projected completion is scheduled for June 30, 2011. |
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Scenes from the AESH Auxiliary Valentine Bingo Party
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| Twin Cedars' Ormsby Presents at LaGrange area Seminar |
 On Thursday, February 10, Stephani Ormsby, Director of Clinical Services for Twin Cedars Youth & Family Services, Inc., presented at "The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children"
Conference hosted by Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter. She presented an overview of treatment strategies for children. Many of those attending included local clergy, law enforcement, DFCS staff, and area hospital staff. Kim Adams, Program Coordinator for the Children's Advocacy Center of Troup County, also profiled her services to include forensic interviews and SANE Nurse Services.
Six CEU credits were available to attendees and proceeds benefited Harmony House in LaGrange. This event showcased agency collaborations in the LaGrange/Troup County area. |
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Children's Advocacy Center of Troup County |
The Children's Advocacy Center of Troup County recently received Telehealth Equipment to assist with medical examinations for children of suspected child abuse. The new equipment has been made available through Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia through a grant from the Governor's Office for Children & Families. To read more click LaGrange Daily News |
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT US...
Macon's Georgia Industrial Children's Home
Preview to the TCYFS Annual Report | |
As a preview to our 2010 Annual Report, we would like to share a letter we recently received from students and faculty at Macon State College.
"The grounds are beautiful and immaculately maintained, the buildings have such charm and warmth, and the staff is sincere in their efforts to truly make a difference in the lives of the young people you serve. The clinical and psychiatric care you give, as well as the life skills you teach at the home will serve as invaluable lessons that will bode these teens well as they make their way through life."
Please double click on the link below to read the letter in its entirety.
Macon State College Letter |
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Woodruff Company in Columbus Donates furniture to AESH | |
When you are home to 40 or more girls, there are always ongoing needs. At Reality House, an Independent Living Program at the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home, the furniture had become worn and outdated. With the help of Otis Scarborough and Genevieve Green from the Woodruff Company, we have been able to update the home with new furniture. Among the items donated were new beds and nightstands and new couches for the common area. These gently used furnishings have enabled us to continue to provide a warm and nurturing environment for our residents while in our care. We appreciate the support of the Woodruff Company!
 
About Reality House
Reality House is a teen development program for female adolescents ages 16-21. It is designed to offer its participants experience and opportunities needed to successfully transition from a residential environment to total independence. The home is situated on a wooded lot and is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home that has been licensed by the Georgia Department of Human Services to serve up to six residents. Reality House is near the main 14-acre campus of the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home and includes a lake, picnic area, and basketball courts for recreation and leisure activities.
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Troup County Prevention Coalition Hosts Town Hall Meeting | |
A Town Hall Meeting
Prescription & Over the Counter Drug Abuse
Sponsored by the Troup County Prevention Coalition
Monday, March 24, 2011
First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange
5:30 pm- Refreshments 6:00 pm- 7:30 Speakers
Resource Fair
Refreshments Provided
Door Prizes
The purpose of the Town Hall Meeting is to increase community awareness on the issue of prescription and over the counter drug abuse and to brainstorm possible solutions.
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| National Pajama Program Adopts Twin Cedars | |
Each night approximately 150 children sleep in one of Twin Cedars' 10 residential homes. With the help of Pajama Program, we will now have help making sure each child has a new pair of pajamas and a book to read before bedtime. In January, the national charity adopted Twin Cedars and has already sent more than 50 pairs of pajamas and books for our children with a promise for more in the coming weeks.
About the Program
Pajama Program was founded in 2001 and is a national children's charity. The Pajama Program's mission is to provide new, warm pajamas and books to needy children nationwide, many waiting and hoping to be adopted. Too often, these youngsters have been abused or abandoned and in most cases, have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a loving mother or father tuck them in at bedtime. By contributing to a warmer and more nurturing environment when they are at their most vulnerable, the Pajama Program gives them a sense of love and belonging. |
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