April 2017 Newsletter 

The REACH program

Because of the times in which she was born, my grandmother who raised us, never had the opportunity to get an education, and she always stressed to my sisters, brothers and me the importance of getting a college or university education. We were extremely poor, however there was never any doubt that somehow we were going to college. That’s why it was my extreme pleasure to bring and to introduce to the Muscogee County School System the REACH Scholarship Program. REACH is the acronym for Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen. This scholarship program is the brainchild of Governor Nathan Deal under his College Georgia Initiative.

The REACH program started in 2012. The goal of the program is “To provide academically promising students with the comprehensive support needed to persist through Middle School and High School, gain access to  college and achieve post-secondary success” What really initially got my attention about this program and the real importance of it is that it is specifically directed towards students who are academically talented but economically disadvantaged. Two of the qualifications for the program are that &nthe student must qualify for free or reduced lunch and preference is given to a student if the student will be the first in the family to go to college; these are the types of students who could really use funding for higher education.

Under the REACH program, the student will receive a $10,000 scholarship,($2,500/year), that can be used along with the HOPE scholarship at any HOPE eligible college or university in Georgia. In addition, many of the colleges and universities may match or double match the scholarship dollar for dollar. To be eligible, the student must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA,and maintain good behavior and good attendance through Middle School and High School. In addition, each REACH scholar will be assigned a mentor and an academic coach through Middle School and High School. The first COHORT of REACH scholars were selected by their teachers, counselors and principals. They each were interviewed and selected by a panel chosen by the Muscogee County School System.

Each student in the initial COHORT of 8 REACH scholars was totally funded by the REACH scholarship program; however with each subsequent COHORT of 8 students , each student will receive a partial scholarship amount of $7,500  with the remaining $2,500  for each student to be raised by the Columbus Community. Dr. Eddie Powell, Assistant Principal and REACH  Coordinator says “ Our students and our community will benefit from having REACH in our school system.

To grow this program and add additional students in upcoming years, Muscogee County needs your help. For each new eighth grade scholar we bring into the program, Muscogee County Schools System needs to raise $2,500 per year of the $10,000 scholarship (or $20,000 per year); the REACH program funds the remainder. All private funds raised-100%- support REACH scholarships. Will you make a tax deductible donation today

Remember that your donation leverages funds from the REACH program as well as from those colleges that have pledged to match or double match the scholarship.  On behalf of many additional students who will benefit from this program as well as our community thank you for your support and donation. You can make  your check payable to the REACH Georgia Foundation. http://donate.reachgafoundation.org”

I want to thank Dr. Powell for being the Coordinator of this great program and for his outreach efforts to the community.It is difficult for me to adequately convey in words the immense happiness and satisfaction I feel by my involvement in this program. Everyone in Columbus can impact the lives of our children and future generations by taking ownership of this program and investing in it. Our children are definitely our future.

Senior Day at the Capitol

On February 15, 2017 Senior Citizens from all over Georgia attended “Senior Day at the Georgia State Capitol”. My wife and I left Columbus early thinking that we would be able to easily find a place to park; however, when we arrived many seniors were already lined up on the steps of the Capitol waiting to get in. There are so many important issues affecting seniors these days that it was so good to see that many seniors at the Capitol advocating for senior issues. I am always asking seniors to be actively involved in safeguarding the precious benefits we have.

A case in point is that there are serious discussions at the Federal level about cutting funding for the Meals On Wheels program. According to the President’s budget chief, the program has not proven to be effective. Contrary to that assertion is a quote from the River Valley Regional Commission’s Area Agency On Aging Advisory Council Special Called Meeting Handout which states:

“A 2013 review of studies, for instance found that home-delivered meal programs for seniors ‘significantly improve diet quality, increase nutrient intakes, and reduce food insecurity and nutritional risk among participants. Other beneficial outcomes include increased socialization opportunities, improvement in dietary adherence and higher quality of life’.”

My wife and I deliver Meals On Wheels and we know that oftentimes that is the only warm and nutritional meal that a senior may get in a day. My wife and I have also found out that oftentimes when we go to deliver the meals, we may be the only ones who engage with that senior in conversation that day. Delivering the Meals On Wheels also helps in socialization skills for seniors and is a good way also to check on them daily to ensure that they are alright.

Mae and Pops delivering Meals on Wheels to Columbus citizens

Senior Citizens in Georgia are fortunate to have an organizations which is attuned to the needs of seniors and actively advocates for them. The Georgia Legislature in 1977 created the Georgia Council On Aging to serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Legislature on matters pertaining and important to seniors. The contact information is:

The Georgia Council on Aging
2 Peachtree Street N.W. Suite 32-270
Atlanta, GA 30303.
Phone # 404-657-5343.

Another organization of great importance is COAGE. this program is the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly is composed of various individuals, and organizations who are actively involved in improving the quality of life for seniors in Georgia. I highly encourage all seniors to join COAGE. You have heard of the expression “In Unity There Is Strength” well the more seniors that we have in COAGE working together vigilantly to ensure that none of our benefits are eroded the better.

During this State Legislative session COAGE advocated for  two budget issues and three legislative issues.  One of the budget issues that COAGE advocated for was adequate funding of Home and Community Based Services. This funding allows for seniors to live independently in their homes rather than receive care in institutions. The Governor granted an additional 4.2 million dollars to shorten the lengthy waiting list for these services.

The other budget issue was transportation funding. Each year transportation funding for our seniors in Georgia is sorely inadequate. This year COAGE advocated for $250,000 for a pilot program to ease the  transportation shortage, but the budget issue did not pass; however COAGE  was successful in letting the legislators know that transportation for seniors statewide is a serious issue. Governor Deal also added $766,000 for Adult Protective Care workers who investigate Elder Abuse.

The Legislature approved $4.12 million in funding to create an Alzheimer’s Project in an attempt to diagnose the disease early especially in under-served or rural areas; it also allocated $1million to home care for Alzheimer’s patients,$2million was appropriated for nursing home care monitors and$100,000 to hire a prosecutor to  jail  patient abusers.

The COAGE legislative priorities were:

• SB 201– that now will allow workers with accrued sick leave to use the sick leave to care for a parent spouse or child. The employer must have at least 25 employees and the employee can use 5 sick days. THIS ISSUE WAS PASSED
• HB154 – Allows for dental hygienists to provide dental hygiene care in nursing homes and other senior home service establishments without the dentist being on site provided it is authorized by the dentist.THIS ISSUE WAS PASSED.
• Abuser Registry– This effort would have created a registry of anyone involved in abusing patients. Unfortunately, this legislative priority did not pass; however COAGE will continue to advocate for this priority.

Once again, I would like to encourage everyone to join COAGE.  You do not have to be a Senior Citizen to join; however everyone has a mother, father, aunt uncle sister, brother or close friend who may be a senior citizen, and if you are fortunate enough to live a long life you eventually will be.COAGE advocates throughout the year to ensure that Georgia’s Senior Population has the benefits they need. You can join online at www.gcoa.org/coage.

Until my next Newsletter , Please be good to yourselves and each other and God Bless you.

Pops