Service Providers Learn About New Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program

 

On Wednesday, December 12, new Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Coordinator Brooke Walker met with over 20 school employees, local service providers, and interested citizens to discuss how the community can take advantage of the recently launched nutrition program.  At the meeting, Brooke shared that the program teaches low income families how to make nutritious meals while on a budget.  It features six fun lessons for families: (1) Your Food, Your Choice; (2) Stress-Free Mealtimes;  (3) Color Me Healthy; (4) Winning Ways with Fast Food;  (5) Keep Yourself Well; and (6) Keep your Health Out of Jeopardy.  At the end of the class, participants get a certificate and a cook book. 


Brooke Walker discusses the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).

Meeting participants discussed how EFNEP can best impact local families.  The group discussed hosting the program, which can be held at any location, at different facilities in the area that will be the most convenient for local residents to attend the lessons.  They also discussed obstacles that some families have, such as transportation and childcare, and how their organizations might be able to assist with those obstacles. 

Brooke stated that, if asked, she will offer presentations to groups such as Rotary and Kiwanis to inform residents of EFNEP and the benefits of attending the lessons.  She also mentioned that EFNEP will be hiring a full-time, bilingual paraprofessional this spring.  

Local organizations discuss EFNEP.

Dalton-Whitfield County was selected as an EFNEP site after the Archway Partnership Prenatal to Pre-K work group identified nutrition and its impact on early brain development as a key issue facing the community’s birth to age five population.  Following those meetings and a presentation by UGA faculty member Gail Hanula regarding EFNEP, UGA’s Whitfield County Cooperative Extension Service and the Whitfield County WIC program entered into an innovative partnership to launch the program in Whitfield County.  In October, Brooke, a registered dietician, was hired to lead EFNEP in Dalton-Whitfield to address these issues.

EFNEP classes can be offered at any site in the community and requires a class of 3-20 participants.  If your organization would like to host the classes or you would like more information on EFNEP, contact Brooke at: brooke1@uga.edu

Community Launches Education Survey

On December 11, 2012, Dalton Public Schools and Whitfield County Schools launched a survey to measure public perceptions of education in Whitfield County.  The school systems issued the survey to better understand what the general public thinks about public education and what the public is basing those perceptions upon. 

The short survey was developed through the Archway Partnership by University of Georgia law student Matthew Wilson with input from College of Education faculty JoBeth Allen and Janna Dresden.  It was constructed to follow national surveys so that local results can be compared to perceptions across the country.  Local stakeholders had multiple opportunities to review and edit the questions.

Local stakeholders hope that 10,000 residents will take the survey.  The survey is provided in English and Spanish.  Hard copies can also be found at any school.

To take this short survey, please go to the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DaltonWhitfield

To read an article from local School Board Chairmen Louis Fordham and Danny Crutchfield discussing the survey, please go to:

http://daltondailycitizen.com/opinion/x1332354860/Letter-How-do-you-think-we-re-doing

Database Created To Boost Involvement in Literacy and Prenatal to Pre-K Programs

On Wednesday, December 5, Archway Partnership employee/Dalton State student Jordan Manis and University of Georgia Masters in Nonprofit Administration student Leize Marie Baschon spoke with the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership Executive Committee about a newly created literacy and prenatal to age five database.  The database contains a list of programs and services in the Dalton-Whitfield area that support literacy for all ages.  The database also has a list of programs and services that support early brain development for the prenatal to age five population and programs for their families.  Programs listed in the database include tutoring programs, GED preparation courses, English classes for non-native English speakers, nutrition programs, parenting classes, and many more. 

At the meeting, Jordan and Leize Marie shared that their goal was to make a public database that the community can use to learn about what programs and services are available, where they are located, and the requirements to attend.  The database will also be beneficial to the non-profit community because it will allow them to collaborate with one another, refer their clients for additional services, or join forces with other organizations to ensure that all of their clients’ needs are addressed.  In addition, the directory may help organizations identify possibilities for collaboration with other organizations that will increase their potential to receive funding from federal and private grants.

The need for the database was articulated by the Archway Partnership Executive Committee and the Investing in Public Education Issue Work Group after noting that there is no comprehensive list of all the programs that support literacy and early brain development in the community.  The Archway Partnership Executive Committee hopes that this list will be a useful tool in supporting the Readers to Leaders goal of getting children on grade level at an early age --- hopefully by grade 3.  To learn more about the Readers to Leaders movement, please see the following links:

http://dalton-whitfieldarchway.blogspot.com/2012/06/community-leaders-join-in-commitment-to.html

http://dalton-whitfieldarchway.blogspot.com/2012/07/archway-hosts-successful-community.html

http://dalton-whitfieldarchway.blogspot.com/2012/11/readers-to-leaders-partners-with-local.html

http://dalton-whitfieldarchway.blogspot.com/2012/11/mayor-pennington-shares-local-literacy.html

The Archway Partnership Executive Committee is currently working with Jordan, Leize Marie, and local partners to improve this database before it is made public.  If you would like to be a part of this effort, please email Melissa Lu at mdlu@uga.edu.

Local Students Explore Career Options

On October 30 – November 1, 40 high school juniors had the opportunity to job shadow local professionals through the Explore Experience, a program coordinated by the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority.  Explore Experience gives high school juniors an opportunity to spend three days exploring careers of interest alongside local employers.  

Sadoth Fraire works on painting part of the set for the Snow Queen during his Explore Experience at the Creative Arts Guild. His mentor, Bradley Wilson, looks on.

Matt Brown of Mohawk Industries with David Travisano, Jonathan Sanchez and Chesalon Dean during their Explore Experience.

Participating students and employers agreed that the program was beneficial.  All responding students and employers agreed that it was a positive experience and reinforced the need for postsecondary education.  Moreover, all responding students agreed that the Explore Experience provided them with a variety of learning opportunities, assisting them with the exploration of their career choice.

Amber Stephens relaxes in one of the donor chairs at Blood Assurance where she completed her Explore Experience. Amber wants a career in phlebotomy.

One student said, “What I like about the Explore Experience is that I learned more things each day that I was there and the fact that everyone was friendly there and encouraged me in the career I wanted to do after high school.”  Another student said “I liked how it gave me an in depth idea of how to go about preparing myself for the position that I want to do for a career.”

Pictured are seven of the eight students who enjoyed their Explore Experience at Shaw Industries. Students shadowed in departments of their career choice. Areas included engineering, customer service, accounting, nursing, video, risk management, information technology and international business.

The local businesses that participated in this educational program believed that Explore Experience was a good opportunity for the students and applauded the Joint Development Authority and its Workforce Development Director, Barbara Ward, for offering and organizing the Explore Experience program. 

The next Explore Experience is scheduled for April 2013.  If your business would like to host a student please contact Barbara Ward (ward@daltonchamber.org) for more information.

Kayla Rogers, from Southeast High, displays the cupcakes that she made at Irene's Cakes and Confections during her Explore Experience.

Special thanks to employers who participated in the Explore Experience:

• Blood Assurance
• Creative Arts Guild
• Dalton Animal Care
• Dalton Ear Nose & Throat
• Dalton Fire Department
• Dalton Police Department
• Dart Drugs
• Deb McDaniel at Dr. Frank Patterson's Office
• Dr. Steve Knox
• Dr. John Richmond
• Friendship House
• Grove Level Baptist Church
• Irene's Cakes and Confections
• Mohawk Industries
• Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center
• Peds Care
• RossWoods Adult Daycare
• Shaw Industries
• St. Joseph's Clinic
• White's Pediatrics
• Whitfield County District Attorney Office
• Whitfield County Health Department
• Whitfield County School Teachers: Tammy Freeman, Jessica Sills and Jennifer Long

 

Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership Seeks to Hire Prenatal to Pre-K Education Specialist

In an additional effort to bolster long-term workforce development initiatives in the Dalton-Whitfield community, the University of Georgia is seeking a qualified candidate to serve as the Archway Birth – Age Five Education Professional in Dalton-Whitfield County, Georgia.  The Archway Partnership was initiated to bring the University of Georgia’s expertise to communities and to facilitate community interaction with the University of Georgia.

The Archway Education Professional is a UGA Public Service (Public Service Assistant 55500) track position jointly funded by the College of Education, the Archway Partnership and the local community with a faculty appointment in the Department of Communications and Special Education within the College of Education and the Archway Partnership unit.

This new position has been designed to assist in identifying and addressing community needs related to parent capacity and school readiness and coordinating birth-to-five initiatives.  The anticipated start date for this position is March 01, 2013.

For more information on this position please go to the following link:

http://www.archwaypartnership.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/AP-Job-Desc-Whitfield-Education.pdf

Georgia Department of Labor Hosts Dalton Career Expo

On Wednesday, December 5, the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) will host a Career Expo at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center in Dalton from 12:00 – 5:00 pm.  The Career Expo will provide an opportunity for job seekers to meet with local businesses who have job positions that need to be filled.  Employers will be conducting interviews and will provide a computer area for job seekers to work on their resumes or complete online applications. The GDOL is hosting the Career Expo to connect businesses in northwest Georgia with skilled, available workers.   

On November 15, the Dalton Daily Citizen publicized an article about the Career Expo.  To read this article and for more information please go to the following link:

http://daltondailycitizen.com/local/x1920495670/Career-Expo-seeks-to-connect-skilled-workers-businesses

UGA Student Assists Community with Internet Access Questions

On November 13, 2012, University of Georgia Ph.D. student Lenie George met with representatives from Whitfield County Schools, Dalton Public Schools, and Georgia Northwestern Technical College to discuss how to enhance internet access in the community.  In many local schools, fewer than 50% of students have access to the internet at home.  Over the past eighteen months, local educators have struggled with how to provide equal educational experiences for students that incorporate technology when so few students have access to the internet outside of school. 

At the meeting, participants discussed the possibility of creating a mobile hotspot via a library-sponsored book mobile, opening up schools between the hours of 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm for neighborhood families to take advantage of services, creating privately- sponsored “hot zones” in high need areas, and partnering with the faith based community to open up satellite libraries and internet cafes in key locations.

Over the next several months, Lenie will research how other communities have tackled this problem and will generate research that enables smart, fiscally-sound solutions.

Mayor Pennington Shares Local Literacy Commitment Nationally

Dalton Mayor David Pennington’s keynote address at the national "Literacy for All" conference shined a spotlight on community-wide efforts to promote literacy in Dalton and Whitfield County.

The Readers to Leaders community literacy initiative was one of the highlights at the national conference in Providence, R.I. Mayor Pennington was joined by representatives from Dalton Public Schools, Whitfield County Schools, and the University of Georgia’s Archway Partnership. They shared the community's story about the public commitment of the four local governing authorities--Dalton City, Whitfield County Government, Dalton Public Schools, and Whitfield County Schools--along with the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce and the Archway Partnership.

 

Dalton Mayor David Pennington presents at the "Literacy for All" conference.

Their unified mission to make literacy a community priority has the goal of catching struggling readers early to ensure every child in our schools is reading on grade level in the early grades. Mayor Pennington was invited to welcome more than 1400 attendees, including literacy leaders and teachers, reading recovery teachers, school district officials, and university professors from across the United States as well as England, Australia and Bermuda. His invitation was due to his leadership, passion, and commitment to literacy.

The local representatives prepared a presentation for the exhibit hall describing the success of the Readers to Leaders initiative, sharing the community's story, and inspiring other communities that are interested in a similar initiative.

 

Mayor Pennington discusses the Readers to Leaders literacy initiative in Dalton-Whitfield.

Officials from Lesley University also heard Mayor Pennington speak during a roundtable discussion as part of the literacy training for district literacy trainers visiting from all parts of the country. Panel members shared how the literacy program that began in Dalton Public Schools nine years ago spurred local interest in education and literacy to develop into a community-wide endeavor. Mayor Pennington spoke passionately about his desire to unite the community to raise the level of literacy in the community and focus on helping all children read on grade level by grade three. Representatives from Lesley University said his enthusiasm made him the natural choice to welcome guests to their national conference.

Cindy Downend, primary literacy collaborative trainer at Lesley University in Boston, introduced the Mayor saying he is a visionary who has worked hard to build relationships between the schools and community. She said those partnerships are critical to sustain an innovative initiative of this magnitude.

The conference was hosted by Lesley University in collaboration with the University of Connecticut, New York University, and the University of Maine.

 

 

 

Archway Partnership Facilitates Discussion of Expanding Mentorship & Tutoring Programs

 

On Wednesday, October 24, University of Georgia researcher, Dr. JoBeth Allen, came to Dalton-Whitfield and met with coordinators from local mentor and tutoring programs.  Participants included members of the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Whiz Kids, United Way, the Mountain Top Boy’s Home, Readers to Leaders, and associates from Dalton Public Schools and Whitfield County Schools.



Local program directors meet at the Boys and Girls Club.
 

 

The group reviewed the positive aspects of each of their programs.  They all agreed that they are meeting a need in the community.  However, there are many obstacles standing in their way to grow in the community.  To have a successful and sustainable mentor/tutoring program you have to have volunteers, transportation, and funding.  It was stated that to make a lasting impact on a child’s life the mentor needs to be long-term.  The current programs need volunteers who can commit to attending and commit for a period of time.  In return, the program coordinators need to make volunteering with the children safe and easy. 

 

Staci Halyak, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, discusses her experiences with the mentoring program.

Transportation to the program activities is major necessity in the Dalton-Whitfield community.  These programs offer a safe, fun and educational place for the children to go.  Without the proper transportation they do not get the opportunity to learn, grow and interact with people who care.  This issue could be solved by potential participation from the faith based community.  Many churches have vans and buses.  They also have certified drivers.  This could be a possibility to solve the transportation problem and also involve more caring people in the community.  Funding is also a concern of the group members.  To continue doing great work in the lives of children and the community, money is needed. 

 

Directors discuss how to expand local mentor programs.

Overall, the discussion concluded with an agreement for collaboration between the programs.  Each program needs to work together towards grants, volunteers, support and other areas.  This collaboration will create a larger impact on the community and support the need for mentor/ tutoring programs in the area.  Instead of everyone competing against one another they can work and grow together.

Georgia Tech Assesses Dalton-Whitfield’s Readiness for a Business Incubator

In 2011, the Archway Partnership’s Diverse, Forward-Thinking Economy Issue Work Group began to consider how a business incubator might support potential startups and entrepreneurs in the community.  After several discussions, a presentation from Georgia Tech, and a tour of the Chattanooga business incubator program, the work group recommended that the Archway Executive Committee hire Georgia Tech to conduct a business incubator feasibility study.   The Executive Committee discussed this recommendation and agreed to move forward with the project with funding from the Joint Development Authority and the University of Georgia Archway Partnership. 

In May, Georgia Tech launched a community readiness assessment to determine whether the Dalton-Whitfield community can support a business incubator.  On Wednesday, October 17, the Georgia Tech team presented their findings to personnel from the Archway Partnership, the Joint Development Authority and the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce.  Erin Rosintoski, a member of the Georgia Tech research group, presented the findings.

Erin Rosintoski presents Georgia Tech’s community readiness assessment research

In the presentation, Georgia Tech noted that the Dalton-Whitfield community has several challenges, including the educational attainment among the community’s adult population; a decrease in businesses and employment since the onset of the recession; and a lack of funding available to would-be startups.  However, they also noted several positive characteristics, including growth in the 55-64 year old age range, which is the age group with the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity nationally; growth in the local healthcare and social assistance, transportation and warehousing, and professional, scientific and technical service sectors; and the opening of over 500 new businesses in Whitfield County in the last two years.   In addition, Georgia Tech noted that 36% of the patents filed in Whitfield County were not flooring related, that over half of the obstacles to success noted by entrepreneurs could be overcome by a business incubator, and that there was support for a business incubator among the community’s leadership and business owners. 

Georgia Tech concluded that the Dalton-Whitfield area would benefit from the introduction of a business incubation program. However, the team proposed that the entity tasked with achieving this goal move with patience and caution, as there are significant key factors that must be addressed before an incubation program can be up and running. 

The Joint Development Authority and the Archway Partnership are currently working with Georgia Tech to host a meeting open to the community where the results are shared in full.  Following that meeting, community leaders will decide whether to pursue the next phase of the business incubator feasibility study.

 

 

Readers to Leaders Partners With Local Library

The partnership between the Dalton-Whitfield Readers to Leaders program and the Northwest Georgia Regional Library continues to grow.  On Wednesday, October 24, University of Georgia researchers, JoBeth Allen and Roberta Gardner, met with the library staff and other members of the community to discuss how the library could become a key player in the Readers to Leaders literacy initiative in the Dalton-Whitfield community.

The Northwest Georgia Regional Library offers many services to the Dalton-Whitfield area.  They offer not only educational reading, but also recreational reading to anyone in the community.  They have computers, Wi-Fi, a computer class, and also a website that offers resources to help individuals with job searches, genealogy, and financial planning.  The library staff wants to create branch libraries throughout the county.  They have already created a partnership with the local Community Center and provide it with books to distribute to interested community members.

 

At the October 24 meeting, the UGA researchers shared 21^st Century Library concepts employed in other communities.  Roberta Gardner shared a PowerPoint demonstrating how libraries use book mobiles to deliver Wi-Fi access and computer training to underserved parts of communities.  The group brainstormed about how the Dalton-Whitfield community might utilize trained volunteers to activate a similar book mobile service.  The group also discussed restoring old school buses to serve as satellite branches.

In June, the library will hire a new director to take the lead on expanding the library further into the community.  In the meantime, Interim Director Nick Fogarty and his team will continue to work closely with community members to develop a new vision for the library. 

 

           

UGA Professor Leads Training on Parent and Family Engagement in Education

On October 23, UGA professor and parent engagement expert Dr. JoBeth Allen led educators from Whitfield County Schools and Dalton Public Schools in a training session focused on creating positive partnerships between families and schools.  Dr. Allen’s interactive presentation, entitled “Creating Welcoming Schools in Literacy Collaborative Classrooms,” challenged local educators to think about how they can bolster student achievement by engaging parents and families in student learning outside of the classroom. 



Teachers participating in Dr. Allen's training.

 

Ideas discussed during the session included: coaching parents on interactive read alouds; engaging parents and children in telling and recording family stories; assigning students to talk with parents about how they use reading in their jobs; helping students design “lessons” for family members; drawing on “family funds of knowledge”; planning family visits to learn about students; engaging families in two-way journals; and hosting book clubs. 

Dr. Allen shares advice with Whitfield County teachers.

 

Dr. Allen’s presentation and work reflects a commitment on behalf of the community and Archway Partnership to support the local investment in public education and the Literacy Collaborative.   

 

DPS Seeking Individuals Who Work In Gender-specific, Non-traditional Roles

Dalton Public Schools is looking for individuals who work in gender-specific, non-traditional roles (a male working in culinary arts, a female welder or engineer, a female firefighter, a male child care worker, etc.) to serve as role models for their students. Dalton Public Schools would like to promote the success of these individuals and, with their permission, tell their stories. If you or someone you know might be interested in participating please contact Larry Murkerson whose contact information is below.

Contact Information:

Larry P. Murkerson, Ed.D.

Assistant Director of School Support

Dalton Public Schools

Larry.Murkerson@dalton.k12.ga.us

(706)-876-4040

Entrepreneur Resource Rally

 

You are invited to an Entrepreneur Resource Rally on October 26, 2012 at Dalton State College from 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM.  Please see the following invitation for details.

 

 

Archway Executive Committee Seeks to Further UGA-Generated Plans on Lakeshore Park and Treadmill Lake and Considers Long-Term Storm Water Management Plan

Over the past year, UGA College of Environment and Design Masters student Rachel Johnson worked closely with the Dalton-Whitfield community to develop extensive plans for the redesign of a Lakeshore Park, a community park located near an elementary school; Threadmill Lake, a former lake with a breached dam that could serve a storm water function; and the neighboring community.  Rachel presented her work to the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Executive Committee in September, sparking energetic dialogue and a request for more information on the project from local leaders.  On Wednesday, October 10, Dalton State College professor John Lugthart and Dalton Utilities Senior Vice President of Watershed Services Mark Marlowe spoke to the Executive Committee about the feasibility of the Lakeshore Park and Threadmill Lake plans. 
 
City Manager Ty Ross reported that the Dalton Parks and Recreation Department (DP&R), who is responsible for the oversight and management of Lakeshore Park, has informally divided the plans for the park into three Phases:  Phase I focuses on revitalizing a soccer field; Phase II focuses on adding new tennis courts; and Phase III focuses on the wetlands and the lake in the south end of the park.  Phases I and II are incorporated into DP&R’s capital improvement wish list over the next five years because they can be economic drivers (bring in sporting events, etc.).  Phase III’s completion will likely depend on outside funding.  All projects will be a stretch in this current economic environment. 

Professor Lugthart, who was responsible for convening the citizen group that informed Rachel’s renderings of Lakeshore Park, noted that there is a grant opportunity with the Conasauga River Alliance for some improvements on the south end of Lakeshore Park.  He said that $10,000 to $40,000 is available in grant funding if the community can secure a 1 to 1 match with local funders.  He further noted that the grant will require at least five community partners, which he believes have already been identified through the Archway process.      

Mark Marlowe spoke to the Executive Committee about the community’s long-term storm water management plans and the importance of Threadmill Lake to those plans.  Mr. Marlowe shared that in 2008, the City of Dalton gave Dalton Utilities responsibility for managing storm water.  He noted that fifty plus years of development without adequate storm water management has resulted in significant property damage and water quality issues.  Mr. Marlowe shared that the Threadmill Lake area represents one of two areas in the community that needs the most work.  He explained that Threadmill Lake previously served as an informal storm water facility; however, several years ago the government told the home owners’ association (HOA) that owns the lake that they either had to breach the dam or pay millions of dollars to improve it.  The HOA destroyed the dam at a $50k expense and, consequently, the area does not have an adequate storm water facility.  Mr. Marlowe asked Rachel Johnson to draw some concepts to demonstrate how the restored lake could serve the dual purpose of serving as a storm water management facility and valuable community amenity.  He noted that it will take at least $2.5 million to return the lake to functionality, but the long-term consequences of not restoring the lake into a watershed will be much more costly.  

As a result of Mr. Marlowe’s presentation, the Executive Committee acknowledged that the community will ultimately have to address its storm water management issues.  Without adequate storm water management, water quality goes down which results in higher water bills for property owners.  In addition, significant property damage will continue to occur with each major storm.  Currently, there is no mechanism for paying for significant storm water management in the community.  The Executive Committee agreed to consider this issue further in the future.

You can view the final plans for Lakeshore Park and Threadmill Lake at the following links:

Lakeshore Park Final Plans

Lakeshore Park Phasing Plan

Threadmill Lake Final Plans

Threadmill Lake Trail Connections

Archway Executive Committee hosts Housing Authority and Learns About GICH

On Wednesday, October 10, the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership Executive Committee hosted the Housing Authority of the City of Dalton (HACD) at its monthly meeting.  Scott Painter, Executive Director of the Dalton Housing Authority, explained that the HACD is a local community housing authority whose mission is to provide quality and affordable housing to low income families and over time bolster them into home ownership.  Mr. Painter shared that the HACD currently operates 565 units, 350 of which need to be demolished and reconstructed.  He shared that the HACD got a new board in 2010 and, with the help of Ed Goodwin and Associates and Pennrose Properties, developed a new strategic plan in 2011.  The new plan focuses on redeveloping affordable housing in Dalton with new and modern neighborhoods.  The transformation plan has two phases.  Phase one focuses on building 72 new apartments for the senior residents in the community and phase two focuses on building housing units for families in the community.  The HACD’s strategy is to begin new housing construction in 2014 and to develop and implement a home ownership program in the future.  The project will cost about $10 million.  Funds for this project will be provided through a mix of city funding, bonds, private financing and equity, project based vouchers provided by HUD, and potential tax credits.

Mark Straub, Development Manager for Pennrose Properties, describes the HACD's transformational plan.

To supplement their local efforts, the HACD is leading an effort for the community to participate in the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program.  GICH, a partnership formed between the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), the University of Georgia and select communities, provides participating communities with technical assistance and resources to support community housing.  Communities that are selected to participate in GICH commit to a three year training program.  In 2005 through 2008, Whitfield County participated and graduated from the GICH program.  However, since 2008, local leadership and boards have changed and HACD believes it is in Dalton-Whitfield’s best interest to go through the GICH program again.  GICH will make its initial site visit to the Dalton-Whitfield community on October 29, 2012, from 10:30 to 11:30 am at City Hall. 

CED Grad Presents to Archway Executive Committee

On Wednesday, September 5, UGA Masters of Landscape Architecture graduate Rachel Johnson presented her finalized renderings of Lakeshore Park and Threadmill Lake to the Archway Partnership Executive Committee.  Rachel’s presentation to the Executive Committee reflected almost a year’s worth of collaboration between UGA College of Environment and Design (CED) students and community partners as they worked to make these properties more accessible and enjoyable to the public.  In addition to the requested work on the projects, Rachel demonstrated how a trail system could be implemented linking several local parks and green spaces, including Brookwood Park, Threadmill Lake, Lakeshore Park, and Al Rollins Park.  Rachel also highlighted ways to connect to Brookwood Elementary, a neighboring school that can benefit from the improvements.

The Executive Committee was very interested in the projects both from a community amenity standpoint and from a storm water infrastructure perspective.  Over the next month, the committee will explore implementation logistics and feasibility with community partners. 

For press coverage of the Lakeshore Park project, view the links below:

http://archwaypartnership.uga.edu/news/whitfield-news/archway-plan-could-make-lakeshore-park-an-outdoor-classroom/

http://archwaypartnership.uga.edu/news/whitfield-news/lakeshore-park-plans-look-good/

Dalton-Whitfield Convenes Task Force to Explore Arts & Culture Opportunities

On Wednesday, August 29, Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership Executive Committee member Linda Blackman convened local stakeholders to discuss the possibility of forming an Arts and Culture Council Task Force.  Linda called the meeting at the behest of the Archway Partnership Executive Committee following a presentation by UGA Masters in Public Administration student Megan Miller about successful arts and culture councils.  Megan’s research revealed that most successful organizations focus on using arts and culture as an economic development tool.  Megan urged the Executive Committee to consider forming a task force to explore the need for, goals of, and the sustainability of an arts and culture council more closely.

The group listens intently about the possibility of forming an Arts and Culture Council Task Force.

Linda invited Megan Miller to the meeting to share her research with this small team.  Following Megan’s presentation, participants discussed some of the ideas in the presentation and agreed unanimously that they are dedicated to the arts and culture in this community and that arts are underutilized as an economic development tool.  The group agreed to reconvene in the next two to three weeks to further discuss how arts and culture can have a game-changer impact on the Dalton-Whitfield community with the help of the University of Georgia.  

Megan Miller presents her research.

 

Megan Miller is currently exploring the economic impacts that different art activities have on their communities which will be a very helpful resource to this task force.

Researchers from UGA Explore Parent Engagement Opportunities

In 2010 and 2011, the K-12 Issue Work Group identified disconnected families as a major hurdle to education progress in the Dalton-Whitfield community.  The group discussed the need to reconsider the role of the family in education as education evolves and family compositions change, and stated that it was “no longer appropriate for the family to simply drop their child off at the school house door.”

Members of Dalton Public Schools and Whitfield County Schools discuss the literacy initiative.

As a result of those discussions and evolving work in the field of literacy in the community, the Archway Partnership brought UGA College of Education faculty Dr. JoBeth Allen and Ph.D. student Roberta Gardner to the Dalton-Whitfield community.  Dr. Allen is a professor of language and literacy education with extensive experience and publications in family and parent engagement.  Ms. Gardner is a former early learning librarian pursing her advanced degree in the Department of Language and Literacy Education. 

Over the next several months, Dr. Allen and Ms. Gardner will work with the Dalton-Whitfield education systems to determine high impact ways to bolster student success with parent engagement in a limited-resource environment.  Dr. Allen and Ms. Gardner kicked off their work on August 27-28, when Dalton Public Schools and Whitfield County Schools provided them with tours of the existing literacy program and interviews and panels with many engaged in public outreach and parent engagement work within the school systems.  The school districts also jointly hosted the UGA researchers on a community bus tour so they could get a feel for the neighborhoods in which many students live.

Dalton Public Schools superintendent Jim Hawkins (left), UGA College of Education faculty Dr. JoBeth Allen (center), and Ph.D. student Roberta Gardner (right).

 

Dr. Allen and Ms. Gardner will continue to collaborate with education and community members to refine the scope of their work.  They plan to return to Dalton on October 23 to work with school personnel at a Leadership Academy co-hosted by the school systems. 

Following their August visit, Dr. Allen wrote a letter to the editor of the Dalton Daily Citizen that can be viewed at the following link:  http://archwaypartnership.uga.edu/news/whitfield-news/letter-congratulations-offered-for-schools%e2%80%99-literacy-instruction/.