Hall Co. awarded grant to help at-risk students

GAINESVILLE - Hall County was recently awarded $94,317 from the Governor's Office for Children and Families to establish a "system of care" to assist at-risk high school students.

The Hall County Juvenile Court, the Local Interagency Planning Team of Hall County and the Hall County Family Connection Network will jointly establish the Hall System of Care (HALL SOC) in collaboration with Parents Educating Parents and Professionals (PEPP), Center Point of Gainesville, and Ava White Tutorials.

The Hall System of Care will provide educational advocacy and training; intense literacy services to attack reading deficits; and mentoring to nurture self-esteem and leadership skills. At-risk factors targeted by the program include truancy, behavioral problems, economically disadvantaged, juvenile offenders, foster child, substance abuse and teen parenthood for juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18. All services are provided at no cost to the community or individual.

Teacher training is available. Applications are currently being accepted for the Wilson Level I certification, a course designed to prepare teachers to assist students with reading and spelling difficulties. If you are interested, send a resume and a letter stating why you'd like to participate with HALL SOC to Kevin Claussen at [email protected], or call 404-388-8696 for more information.