Prenatal to Pre-K Issue Work Group Explores Solution to Nutrition Education Problem

On September 1, 2011, University of Georgia Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Coordinator Gail Hanula visited Dalton-Whitfield to speak to the Archway Prenatal to Pre-K Issue Work Group about EFNEP and its applicability in the community. EFNEP is a federally funded program that is delivered at the state level through Cooperative Extension. Traditionally, the program places an EFNEP paraprofessional in the community under the direction of a Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent. The EFNEP paraprofessional then teaches classes to low income families with small children centered on healthy eating. The program emphasizes cheap, easy meals that take 15 minutes or less to prepare. The paraprofessional works with existing organizations to deliver the classes/lessons at social service sites.

At the meeting, Gail Hanula explained that there are some logistical hurdles to getting an EFNEP paraprofessional here, including the fact that Whitfield County no longer has a Family and Consumer Sciences agent due to state budget cuts. The state Cooperative Extension staff is currently considering alternatives to the traditional set-up and will be in touch with the community soon regarding this program.

The Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership Prenatal to Pre-K Issue Work Group previously identified lack of adequate nutrition as the biggest problem facing our youngest citizens.  2009 data released by the Whitfield County WIC program shows that 78% of all newborns and 67% of infants and children under the age of 4 in Whitfield County are on WIC.  A chart releasing this data can be viewed here.  Additional poverty information compiled by the Archway Partnership for Whitfield County can be accessed by clicking here.

Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority Utilizes Work of University of Georgia Student in Constructing Small Business Website

Over the past year, the Dalton-Whitfield Diverse, Forward Thinking Economy Work Group has discussed how our community can better assist area innovators and entrepreneurs. The group has discussed many options, including implementing both virtual and traditional incubators.

At the group’s August meeting, Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority (JDA) Senior Project Manager Alex Stall presented a website that the JDA is currently developing to support small business owners. Alex explained at the meeting that University of Georgia Non-Profit Administration Masters Student Jimbo Graves has assisted him with the development of the website. In addition, Alex noted that he has requested future help from the University of Georgia in the development of a logo for the website.

Group members made several suggestions on information that the website should include. Alex promised to incorporate many of those suggestions into future phases of the project.