JCFEC named ‘Proficient’ county

The Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center has achieved the designation of being a “Proficient” county. This photograph shows the awards received by the organization in recognition of the achievement. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett)

The announcement was made during the Nov. 18 town meeting that the Jenkins County Family Enrichment Center (JCFEC) has achieved the designation of being a “Proficient” county within the Georgia Family Connection Partnership. The organization is one of only two collaboratives in the state during 2008 to receive this honor.

JCFEC received $1,000 and a beautiful award to mark the occasion. The money will be used toward furthering the work of the collaborative.

In commenting on the achievement, Julie Chance, JCFEC executive director said, “Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time to reflect on things for which we are grateful. It is appropriate that we remember things of the past that cause us to be thankful and full of hope for the future. The JCFEC and its community partners, staff and volunteers have been working for over 11 years to improve the quality of life for all children and families in Jenkins County.”

Some of the major outcomes or long-term results now being seen through JCFEC’s collaborative programs, services and activities include: decreased child abuse and neglect rates, increased high school graduation rates and an increased certified workforce.

“Jenkins County has been recognized as one of the leading communities in the state for our ability to collaborate and pull together in order to develop resources that otherwise would not exist. We have learned to work together for the greater good of the community. We have proven that we can put our differences and personal preferences aside and obtain needed resources for our families to become educated, thriving and self-sufficient.”

She continued, “The board of directors and staff of JCFEC would like to thank everyone who has participated in this work during the past 11 years. We would like to take a moment to honor your duty and service to our community and the families that live here. Whether you have served on a board or committee, donated in-kind or cash support, volunteered for specific programs or prayed for the work of our collaborative, you are the reason for its continued existence, and your support is why we now have documented evidence that collaborating does lead to real, positive impacts for families and communities.”

“It is indeed an honor to be recognized across the state for Jenkins County’s outstanding accomplishments,” Chance said. “However, the greatest award does not come in the form of money, plaques, or public recognition; the greatest honor comes when families are stabilized, children are kept safely with their parents, when students walk across the graduation stage and receive their high school diplomas and when fathers and mothers find jobs that enable them to provide for the needs of their families. Although long-term outcomes, these are by far the greatest and most tangible rewards for our community’s prevention and intervention services.”

For information on how to become involved, contact Mandy Underwood at the JCFEC Resource Center at (478) 982-8004.