Thumbs Up! July 10, 2017

Albany’s Summer Playground Program has only this week left on its schedule. Aside from the activities self-evident on any playground, this Albany Recreation and Parks program includes table games, organized sports, arts and crafts, and more. The two city parks involved in the 2017 programs are Gordon Sports Complex at 800 Willie Pitts Road and C.W. Heath Park at 1000 Maple St. All children ages 7-17 are invited. Membership forms are needed, but there is absolutely no charge to participate. Before you miss out, call Christopher Campbell at (229) 430-5222 and let the children play.

Speaking of playing … congratulations to Len Lastinger Primary School in Tifton for first raising $10,000 then winning a video contest securing a $20,000 grant, all to be used for a new playground. About 140 videos were submitted nationwide in Kaboom’s Let’s Play video contest. Five winners were chosen for the grants. So old is some of the current equipment at Len Lastinger that many of the students’ parents played on it as young children. With $30,000 to work with, a blueprint for the new playground is being developed and will include the wishes of the children attending the school. In the fall, a community work day is planned, and the playground, with smart technology to promote teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills, will be a dream-come-true for the school and the community.

There is a shortage of certified nurse aides (CNA) in Southwest Georgia. There is a shortage of jobs in Southwest Georgia. With a partnership between Albany Technical Collage and Phoebe Putney Health System, both issues are being addressed. Currently, seven students are enrolled in the CNA program at ATC and will soon begin clinical rotations at Phoebe. In August, those seven will be eligible to sit for the National Nurse Aide Assessment program, which will determine eligibility for Georgia’s State Nurse Aide Registry. Those shown to have the competency and compassion needed to fulfill the tasks of being a CNA will be offered employment with Phoebe. Once on the state registry, however, the opportunities are wide open for other locations of employment. It’s a win-win situation for all concerned. Contact ATC for information about the next classes. Scholarships and financial aide are available.

Georgia’s budget for FY 2018 includes in the neighborhood of 250 pages of numbers, all with dollar signs preceding them. One detail worth noting is the per diem allowed for the care of foster children. Prior to the new budget, foster parents and relatives in Georgia received $15 for the care of a child, about the same a vet charges to kennel a dog overnight in a cage. Finally, that dollar amount has been raised closer to $25. Also noteworthy is the increase in starting salaries for workers within the Department of Family and Children Services. With a statewide turnover of up to 39 percent in some areas of Georgia, the increase will hopefully stabilize the department. Starting salaries for those with a BA in social work moved from $28,000 to $35,000. That’s money well-spent.

Edison (as in Calhoun County), with a population of about 1,550, held its own fireworks display this year. Sponsored by the town’s businesses, the event was very well-attended. It was a family-oriented, safe way to spend the evening celebrating America’s independence. Thumbs up, y’all.