One of the priority issues for CAB is to upgrade and streamline its resource manual link at http://cab.ebradley.net.
Lori Jolly-Julian of the Department of Children Services, Reba Terry of The Caring Place and Emily McComb of Community Action Network are working together on the resource manual to provide more information to local individuals and families about available services.
Volunteering his time and expertise for the website is David Hughett of the Bradley County Baptist Association.
McComb, who met with Hughett recently, told representatives of the different Bradley County agencies they can use their password to update resource material, and should make updates at least every six months.
“We may change some subject lines, but we hope to make it more friendly and usable for the general public,” Jolly-Julian said. “We’re also planning to highlight one of our individual agencies each month (from the 120 resources we have on the website).
The board members emphasized this is not just for Bradley County, but an 11-county area including Hamilton County.
In other board action:
- Tonya Southerland, director of GRAAB (Going Respectfully Against Addictive Behavior), was elected by acclimation as the board’s new chairman.
Board members still must select a vice chairman and a secretary at a future meeting.
- Southerland, and several other board members, are working with Service Learning officials at Cleveland State Community College on plans for the college’s Service Learning Expo next year on the CSCC campus.
Although this year’s Expo was a successful endeavor, board members want to help CSCC officials increase the number of health care agencies at the Expo.
“We’re going to get together and talk about our listing of available resources (in the area),” Southerland said. She said they are hoping to expand interest in the health care field.
“What about having speakers to talk about what their individual agency does?” asked McComb.
“We’ve discussed the possibility of having speakers,” said Southerland, adding that no decision has yet been made on the possibility.
Terry asked about the possibility of a portable microphone going from booth to booth to provide information about specific agencies and their services.
More information will be discussed by the board prior to the CSCC Service Learning Expo in September.
- In a continuing discussion on plans to highlight a specific agency each month, Jolly-Juian said the board could consider having a separate agency prepare a program to highlight specific needs for that agency.
She also suggested that board members bring a nonperishable food item to the January board meeting to help restock supplies being depleted from local food pantries during the holidays.
- Board members also discussed a number of services lacking in the community, such as awareness programs about sexual offenders and abuse. It was mentioned there are few alcohol treatment/prevention programs for youth, that most agencies have a number of uninsured clients and there is a continued need for drug-treatment opportunities.
They discussed the proposition the community needs additional programs to teach life skills to youth who are approaching adulthood.
Additional discussion on these issues will continue at the January board meeting.
