Georgia County Government - January 2009 - (Page 39)

Alan Reddish, “Extension’s nutrition education program reaches out to more than 500 families a year in our county, many of which are considered to be atrisk. These people are receiving an education in decision-making with regards to nutrition, and as they are prepared to make better decisions their immediate and extended families are impacted in such a positive way.” Regarding fi nancial literacy education training programs that FACS delivers, Reddish states, “Whether the population is one with limited options or one with many, the educational material to which our citizens are exposed is critical, especially in these uncertain economic times.” Dr. Beverly Sparks, CAES Associate Dean for Extension and a former District Extension Director, appreciates the value of counties’ investment in Extension and connects it to the greater overall mission of the University of Georgia. “Local partners are essential for the health and stability of each of our County Extension programs,” says Sparks. “Their support allows us to leverage state resources to fund our programs. Without local partners, without a local presence of Cooperative Extension in each county, the land grant mission of the University system begins to break down and we sacrifice efficiency and effectiveness in addressing the educational needs of our citizens.” Extension helps both local government and local citizens save money. In many counties, agents partner with employers to enhance economic development by educating our present and future workforce. Many Extension agents and specialists across the state are credentialed to deliver certification training in sediment and erosion control. For local government, this means that certain employees can become certified in a practice required by state and federal agencies without having to pay a private firm for the training. Similarly, childcare providers and the food service industry are two additional areas in which practitioners look to UGA Cooperative Extension as the lead agency in providing certification and training. There are many county agents who can provide certification training for childcare providers and training in the safe handling of foods. Based on cost estimates for child care training, child care providers saved almost $50,000 in 2007 by obtaining certification credits from Cooperative Extension, as opposed to obtaining training from the private sector. In 2007, more than 4,300 food service managers and employees were certified through ServSafe® workshops. These and countless other cost efficiencies have been made possible through Cooperative Extension, statewide. As the economy continues its uncertain trajectory, it is certain that Cooperative Extension provides even more value during difficult economic times. ■ E.R.SNELL CONTRACTOR, INC. ROADS & BRIDGES ROADS * BRIDGES * CULVERTS * SITE WORK ASPHALT PAVING * ASPHALT SALES * PARKING LOTS COMMERCIAL * INDUSTRIAL * MUNICIPAL ERS P.O. Box 306 Snellville, GA 30078 770-985-0600 Phone 770-985-2998 Fax In Business Since 1923 Twelve Asphalt Plants To Serve You Equal Opportunity Employer Drug Free Workplace 307867_ER_Snell.indd 1 11/18/08 11:03:56 PM 408450_Moreland.indd 1 JANUARY 2009 www.accg.org 11/13/08 39 10:57:51 PM http://www.ersnell.com http://www.maai.net http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - January 2009

Georgia County Government - January 2009 Contents President’s Message County Matters Forward-Thinking Bulloch County Leaders Put Progress on the Front Burner Robert Farris: Champion for Georgia’s Forests ACCG, BCBS of Georgia Work Together to Improve County Employee Health Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: McIntosh County Extension News: Cooperative Extension Generates ROI Research Corner: How Does Your County Rate? County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - January 2009

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