Fulton County PICH Program Supports #0to60 Campaign

The Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness Partnerships to Improve Community Health (PICH) Program encourages everyone to participate in the #0to60 campaign created by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (President’s Council) and the National Foundation on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.  For 60 years, the President’s Council has worked to create a healthier America.  The recently announced #0to60 campaign is a public education effort to inspire Americans to accelerate their journey to leading healthy, active lifestyles, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the President’s Council. Get more information at www.0to60fitness.org.  

Similarly, the PICH Program and its partners are working to increase education about, opportunities for, and access to physical activity, healthy nutrition, and tobacco-free environments. By encouraging Fulton County residents to join the #0to60 campaign’s healthy habits and activities, together with its own programmatic efforts and those of its partner agencies, PICH supports Fulton County’s strategic mission to ensure that all people are healthy.   

PICH entered an agreement with Fulton County Schools to fund the implementation of innovative, creative Physical Education curricula in all Fulton County elementary and middle schools. At the pre-school level, PICH is sponsoring training and follow-on program support provided by HealthMPowers, a non-profit, evidence-based public health organization, for leaders and staff of more than 40-day care centers in developing and implementing healthy weight protocols incorporating good nutrition, physical activity and screen-time limits for the youngsters they oversee. PICH and partner Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) are working to bring bikeshare programs to areas of Fulton County and to promote the benefits of Complete Streets that create walkable, livable communities. Additionally, PICH community partner Health Promotion Action Coalition (HPAC) holds Pitch and Play events that educate community participants on current nutritional and active living childhood guidelines, combining a community café style discussion for parents with an active, fun jamboree for children. The PICH Program and HPAC are also collaborating on the recruitment of faith-based organizations to join the PICH Interfaith Active Living Initiative that provides educational materials, programming support and other resources to help the congregations launch or expand walking programs for youths and adults, set healthy living guidelines for all services and events, and facilitate fellowship with other faith-based groups around health-related activities.

The PICH Program is made possible by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under cooperative agreement #IU58DP005568-01. For more information, please visit www.fultoncountyga.gov/partnership-to-improve-community-health.To learn more about Fulton County Health and Wellness, please visit www.fultoncountygahealth.org.  

Fulton County Fire Rescue Offers Tips for a Safe 4th of July

Although many types of fireworks are legal in Georgia, residents need to be careful when using them. Fulton County Fire Rescue Department offers fireworks safety tips for a fun July 4th celebration.

 “We want citizens to have fun, but safety is our first priority.” states Fulton County Fire Chief Larry Few. “Even though the new law expands the sale of fireworks, the best way to safely enjoy this 4th of July is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals.”

Fireworks injury is highest for children ages 5-19 and adults 35-44.  Each July 4th, thousands of people, often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks.

Adults are strongly urged to keep children away from fireworks, including sparklers. The Consumer Product Safety Commission provides the following tips:

• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

The new state law governing fireworks, HB 110, has certain provisions and times that revelers should be aware of:

1. The new state law allows for fireworks to be sold statewide in Georgia.

2. Fireworks can be used between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight (12 a.m.).

3. On Jan. 1, July 3, July 4 and on Dec. 31, fireworks can be used from 10 a.m. through 2 a.m.

4. Fireworks cannot be exploded within 100 yards of a nuclear power facility or gas station, or a facility that refines, processes, or blends gasoline.

5. Persons must be at least 18 years of age to purchase fireworks.

Nearly 90 percent of the fireworks injuries reported to emergency departments involved fireworks permitted under federal regulations, with many suffering injuries to their heads, eyes and extremities. Sixty-three percent of these injuries were burns.

For more information about the Fulton County Fire Rescue Department, log-on to www.fultoncountyga.gov. Follow them @FCFRD on Twitter.

Fulton County Arts & Culture Wins 2016 National Associations of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has awarded Fulton County Arts & Culture the 2016 Arts and Historic Preservation Achievement Award for the Fulton County Teen Artists Academy. 

The NACo Achievement Award, in the category of Arts and Historic Preservation, recognizes outstanding county efforts in using arts and cultural activities to enhance the quality of life, and the social needs of the community. The Fulton County Teen Artists Academy is an intensive summer arts program for young people ages 13 to18. Students receive instruction visual arts, music (instrumental and voice), dance, theater and film production.   

The Teen Artists Academy was established in 2006 at the Southwest Arts Center, offering artistic teens the opportunity to learn and experience art in an immersive four -week camp during the summer.  In 2015, Fulton County Arts & Culture expanded programming to include underserved teens at the West End Performing Arts Center with instruction in film production and visual arts focused programming at the Aviation Community Cultural Center.   

“Teen Artists Academy continues to grow as an innovative and an effective way to reach County youth” says Lionell Thomas, Director of Fulton County Arts & Culture “With many of the local school systems facing continued reductions of arts budgets and activities, the Fulton County Teen Artists Academy provides the community with continued arts education services.”

Students will present their culminating visual art exhibition at the Aviation Community Cultural Center, 8900 Aviation Circle, Atlanta, GA 30336, on Friday, June 24 from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. The 10th Annual Teen Artists Academy at Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA 30331, closing production and exhibition will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. 

For more information please visit www.fultonarts.org. 

Commissioner Garner Hosts Major Employers in June 16 Job Fair

On June 16, 2016, District 4 Commissioner Joan P. Garner and the Fulton County Housing and Community Development Department, Workforce Development Division will host a job fair. The event will feature personnel representatives from 16 metro Atlanta employers. Among those companies that will be hiring are Coca Cola, FedEx Ground, MARTA, the Georgia World Congress Center, Wal-Mart eCommerce Fulfillment Center and Gate Gourmet. 

At least 10 other Public/Private firms will be on site from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at the Adamsville Regional Health Center at 3700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive; Atlanta, GA 30331.

Other employers who will participate include:

• Zoo Atlanta
• IKEA
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta
• Dunbar Armored
• Gwinnett County Police Department
• Zaxby’s
• Chatcomm911
• Manpower
• Ark Temporary Staffing
• Ranstad

Schedule participation in a Job Readiness Prep Workshop:

• Learn appropriate ways to dress to file in-person applications or attend interviews and job fairs
• Obtain free training if the employment seeker meets eligibility criteria
• Workforce Development services are also available at the following locations:
• Job readiness Workshops will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 to help applicants prepare for the Job Fair. 
• Resume Writing will be held at 11:00 a.m., Interview Skills at 1:00 p.m. and the workshops will end with a session on Dress for Success at 3:00 p.m.

Throughout the year, Workforce Development assists unemployed citizens and those seeking to improve their incomes to meet their needs and/or the needs of their families (See Attached Success Stories).  Assistance is provided in the following areas:

Career Advisement to help set career goals and education requirements: 

North Fulton Career Center
North Fulton Service Center
7741 Roswell Road, Suite 205
Sandy Springs, GA 30350
404-613-4480

South Fulton Career Center
5710 Stonewall Tell road, Suite 160
College Park, GA 30349
770-306-5202

The Office of Workforce Development is a division of the Housing and Community Development Department.

Fulton County Commissioners Approve T-SPLOST Projects List

Board backs $100 Million in priorities for transportation upgrades

At their June 1, 2015 meeting the Fulton County Board of Commissioners approved a preliminary list of infrastructure and road improvements in unincorporated that would be funded by dollars collected by a Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax (or T-SPLOST) if Fulton County voters approve the November 8 referendum. The list of projects totals over $100 million dollars in road improvements and upgrades. The Board will finalize the project list at its June 15 meeting.

"Everyone who lives or drives through Fulton County knows transportation must be improved,” says Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman John H. Eaves. “Thanks to input from residents, the business community and government leaders, we have come up with a project list that reflects your key areas of concern. I encourage you to review the list before you vote in November."

The list was developed with extensive public input. Among the projects and expenditures on the list for the unincorporated communities of south Fulton County are:

• $36 million in maintenance and safety enhancements (including topping and resurfacing of local roadways),
• over $41 million for operations and safety improvements,
• $3.7 million for work on bridges,
• $1.1 million for Fulton County Airport Improvements.
• $2.2 million for Quick Response Projects,
• more than $17 million for pedestrian bike improvements.

Voters are scheduled to vote on the T-SPLOST referendum on November 8, 2016.  If approved, it would allocate .75 cents per dollar to transportation projects countywide.