RISE UP Program Gets a Boost from GSU Social Work Students |
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The Department’s Office of Partnerships and External Affairs developed a collaborative project proposal that was selected by the Georgia State University School of Social Work’s Graduate Program. The collaboration provides second year master’s level Social Work students with the opportunity to gain internship credits for assisting local organizations with developing solutions to complex problems.
The project's focus is on evaluating the Office of Youth Services' (OYS) RISE UP program. This leadership and literacy program educates, empowers, and equips middle school aged male students of color living in District 4 with the necessary skills to achieve overall success. Jashawn Williams, OYS Manager said, “Working with the students will enable us to develop a model that we may use for other programs, and they will give us insight into the program to ensure we are providing the best for citizens of DeKalb County.”
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Over $900,000 in Grants Awarded to Local Non-Profit Organizations |
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We are pleased to announce that the Office of Grants allocated $907,452 in grant awards to 55 local non-profit organizations through its Human Services Grants Program. The program is designed to provide supplemental funding to non-profit organizations serving their communities. This year, program staff implemented an electronic application process for grant application submissions.
Service Areas that are addressed through these grants include youth development/education, family and human services, crisis intervention and prevention for women and children, food insecurity, senior services, public health, homelessness, advocacy, planning and education and supports for individuals with disabilities. Grant awards range from $10,000-$15,000 and are provided through a competitive evaluation process.
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We've Got a New Look!
New Website, Same Great Services
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Consider our new website your source for discovering who we are, what we do, and how we work!
On the homepage you'll discover our divisions, helpful resource guides, the latest news, and upcoming events. If you're looking for programs and services for youth and young adults, you'll want to check out Youth Services. For those of you who are retired and refired, we invite you to join one of our six senior centers and participate in over 100 classes, special events and programs. Do you know a senior or an individual with disabilities who is need of transportation? Our Transportation Division can assist through coordinated transportation services and vouchers.
Learn how we partner with the community to address your needs including food insecurity, fund development, and more; identify supplemental funding for your local non-profit through our Grant Program; and discover the team that provides operational support across all divisions within the Human Services Department.
Take a look around!
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Whether It Was Virtual Programming, Drive-thrus or Phone Calls, Seniors and Youth Remained Connected and on the Move |
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The COVID-19 pandemic didn't stop us from delivering world class services to DeKalb families, seniors and youth. By adapting to the new virtual reality people were still able to enjoy their favorite programming and gain access to the resources they needed. We maintained classes and special programs for seniors and youth, hosted socially distant drive-thrus for a morale boost, and transported seniors to the appointments they needed to keep them safe and healthy. |
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Drive-thru Events Helped Create a Sense of Normalcy |
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While our seniors missed interacting face-to-face, putting on stage productions, and attending their favorite classes, senior centers got creative. Various centers produced numerous socially-distanced drive-thru and drive-in style events where we were able to safely congregate and catch a buzz of normalcy.
South DeKalb Senior Center members decorated their cars and drove through the senior center parking lot in a drive-thru parade and pep rally while the East DeKalb/Lithonia Senior Center members received personal protective equipment (PPE) kits from Kaiser Permanente at Other events encouraged seniors to get healthy and active. DeKalb Atlanta seniors participated in Car Exercise and Car Bingo; and members of the Lou Walker Senior Center received their flu shot and danced to Motown hits in their cars.
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Seniors Were Excited to Participate in Hundreds of Virtual Classes, Events and Special Programs |
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Drumming, Karaoke, Self Defense, Mindfulness, Book Clubs, and Brain Fitness are just a few of the many classes seniors participated in daily. They also attended informational lunch and learn sessions, stage productions, and cooking seminars. Click here for a glimpse of what we offer.
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Click each image below to see what seniors have to say about our virtual programming. |
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Highlights - Connecting Families to Services |
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The Transportation Office collaborated to transport homeless citizens, provide rides to food pantries, and assist individuals with getting to their banks and to other places within the community. Other services remained in place such as taking individuals to medical appointments or to dialysis.
Over 300 DeKalb seniors benefited from case management services this year. Case Managers educated seniors on COVID-19, delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) to over 200 seniors, and conducted weekly wellness checks.
North DeKalb seniors donated toiletries and other goodies as part of a community service activity for the holidays. The items were used to make individual shoe boxes for those in need.
The Office of Aging coordinated the delivery of 154,989 emergency meals, congregate meals and home delivered meals to ensure that DeKalb seniors would not go hungry. Staff also conducted wellness calls to seniors and the Information & Referral team managed the Senior Link line.
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DeKalb County youth, parents, and guardians attended "Wow, That's Crazy," a mental health symposium with supportive dialogue, empathetic coping tools and resources for navigating youth mental health through the COVID-19 pandemic. DeKalb County School District Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris participated on the panel of guest speakers.
Youth also attended the College Access Conference, a virtual college fair designed to connect high school students and their families with resources to aid in their college research process. Attendees learned about the college application requirements, the financial aid process and much more. This event was co-hosted by Youth Services.
Human Services received a grant award in the amount of $641,382 from the Georgia Department of Public Health to implement the DeKalb Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program. MIECHV connects families to parenting resources and a wide range of community services that improve child family well-being. Families receive services through First Steps, Parents as Teachers (PAT) and Early Head Start- Home Based Option (EHS-HBO) Home Visiting Programs. MIECHV will serve 1,500 DeKalb families this year. Click here to learn more.
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DeKalb Youth Commissioners Selected |
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The Youth Commission is a leadership program for DeKalb County students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade. Program participants learn the roles of county government, take part in civic and community activities, and serve as a voice for DeKalb youth regarding current issues.
Students selected for the Youth Commission are some of the County’s best and brightest young leaders. This year’s commission includes representation from 17 of DeKalb’s 22 high schools.
To learn more about this program, please contact Kristen Wimberly, Youth Services Coordinator at (470) 543-0761.
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Human Services works diligently to support the needs of all DeKalb citizens. We invite you to engage and share your time, expertise and resources with the community. |
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Volunteer to Make a Difference in DeKalb Through the Intergenerational Reading Program |
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The AARP Experience Corps Program is a national evidence-based literacy program that improves the reading skills of children in kindergarten through the 3rd grade by focusing on students who are one or two grades behind in reading grade level. Teachers identify students who would benefit from the program, obtains parental permission, and then pairs senior volunteers with students and facilitates tutoring sessions.
Seventy-five volunteers participated in the first year of the program. Individuals who were selected to participate were trained on how to assist students using a national reading model. Results from the first year show that 32% of students in the program exceeded their reading goal and 53% of the students improved their reading.
Want to volunteer for this exciting initiative? Contact Debra Furtado, Human Services Administrator at dlfurtado@dekalbcountyga.gov to learn more.
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Celebrating Black History Month
2021 BLACK HISTORY THEME: THE BLACK FAMILY: Representation, Identity, and Diversity
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‘The Black Family: Representation, Identify, Diversity’ - The Spoken Word
Thursday, February 18th
2:00pm
Vivacious and talented seniors will showcase their talents in their presentation of ‘The Spoken Word,’ with spoken word poetry, prose monologues, singing, comedy, musical performance and much more. Presented by the Lou Walker Senior Center COE Special Events Committee.
"Our Family"
Friday, February 26th
2:00pm
The Lou Walker Senior Center Drama Club presents ‘Our Family.’
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Teen Online Gaming Event: Play Madden 21, Brawhalla and League of Legends for Prizes |
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Monday, February 15th
8:00am-6:00pm
Open to Ages 12-16
Teens - bring your 'A' game for this year's Gaming With a Cop! We will be providing the youth with a positive activity in a safe environment, while building relationships with the youth and law enforcement.
The games utilized for this event:
Madden 21 (PlayStation 4)
Brawhalla (PlayStation 4)
League of Legends (Computer)
1ST PLACE PRIZE - $150
2ND PLACE PRIZE - $50
The games will take place on the virtual platform “OBS” (Open Broadcast Software). This event is presented by DeKalb County's P.A.L. Plus, DeKalb Entertainment Commission, and the Office of Youth Services.
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Special Democratic Primary Election for Georgia State House District 90 |
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Tuesday, February 9th
8:00am-6:00pm
Open to Ages 12-16
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Wednesday the date of the special Democratic primary election required for Georgia State House District 90, which became vacant with the withdrawal of Rep. Pamela Stephenson.
The special election will be held on February 9, 2020 for the district, which includes parts of DeKalb, Henry, and Rockdale Counties. A run-off, if needed, shall be held on March 9, 2021.
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COVID-19 Testing & Vaccine Information |
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