Sumter County Community In Action Coalition

Sumter County Community In Action Coalition

The Joy is our Dream Tour

The Joy is our Dream Tour for Black Girls was held on September 10, 2022 at the Livingston Jaycee Park.

Sumter County Community In Action Coalition monthly meeting

Sumter County Community In Action Coalition Monthly Meeting

Arts and Crafts Expo

Parent Involvement Meeting

Sumter County School System Parental Involvement Meeting was held at Sumter Central High School on May 16, 2022. Mrs. Mia pile was Guest Presenter. Mrs. Pile is a international speaker, Mental Health Coach and Former Principal

Coalition Meeting

Sumter County Community in Action May Coalition meeting May 11, 2022. Ruby pickens Library Livingston, Al

Sumter County Welcome Center

Sumter County Welcome Center hosted Tourism Day on may 11, 2022. The event was designed to make Sweet Home Alabama a destinations vacation this year. Guest speakers, a luncheon, door prizes and information on vacation spots Alabama has to offer. Sumter County Coalition participated in this activity.

Hornets on the Move in Sumter County

The Alabama State University Alumni of Sumter County sponsored a Black & Gold Day at Sumter Central High SchoolOn February 16, 2022, 9:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon.

Mr. Freddie Williams, an ASU recruiter was the guest speaker along with President Lucius Black and Vice President Eleanor James

Fashayla Davis and Antonio Hutchins received scholarships from Alabama State University and another deserving student will receive a scholarship from the Sumter County Alumni in May, 2022

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Josette White named Director of Campus Safety & Security and Chief of Police at UWA

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Josette White to Director of Campus Safety & Security and Chief of Police for UWA. As you will recall, Josette was appointed interim chief in October, following the retirement of Chief Jeff Manuel. We conducted an open search to fill the position, and Josette has been selected as the best candidate for the role.

This month marks the beginning of her ninth year with the UWA Police Department, having joined the force in 2014 as a patrol officer. In this capacity she has carried out responsibilities such as incident and accident reports, arrests, fingerprinting, parking enforcement, and assistance to students and employees. She has also accepted additional administrative responsibilities, including management of the parking registration system, training, policy development, budgeting, supervision of interns and student workers, and the very important matter of annual fire safety and security reporting, which ensures our University’s compliance with requirements of the Clery Act.

Prior to coming to UWA, Chief White served as a juvenile probation officer for Tuscaloosa County for two years and for Sumter County for five years. In these roles, she worked directly with many different constituencies, ages, and demographics, not only serving as an intake and probation officer but also writing grants to support outreach and correctional programs as well as regular reporting to ensure the flow of legal processes. She worked for Livingston Police Department for some 13 years, beginning as a dispatcher and police officer, even working as an un-paid auxiliary officer to support city-wide events, athletic games, and patrol, and rising through the ranks of corporal and sergeant.

Chief White is a UWA graduate, having earned a bachelor of science in sociology in 2006. She earned the degree while working for Livingston Police Department, balancing a full course load, her daily work as a police officer, and the demanding training schedule required of police officers. In fact, she has continued to maintain the many certifications and training requirements for police officers while actively engaging in a slate of community and civic organizations, including the Children of the Village Network, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Sumter County Rescue Squad, and several others.

Chief White’s credentials comprise an impressive list of contributions to the safety, guidance, and support of not only our campus, but the west Alabama region throughout her career. We are confident in her abilities to lead our police department’s efforts in providing a safe and supportive environment for our students and employees, while also assisting other agencies throughout the region to further foster a positive environment for us all to learn, work, and reside.

Please join me in congratulating Chief White on this well-deserved appointment.

Nursing Home Care Baskets

York West End Jr High School Peer Helpers made care baskets for Sumter nursing home patients.

Rep. Sewell Continues her “Building a Better Alabama” Infrastructure District Tour with a Stops in Sumter County

Dec 21, 2021 

Press Release

Livingston, AL – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) concluded the first leg of her “Building a Better Alabama” Infrastructure District Tour, stopping in Marengo and Sumter Counties to highlight the transformational funding from the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

“The first leg of my Infrastructure District Tour was a great success and I look forward to continuing my travel to alert our communities of the transformational infrastructure funding coming their way!” said Rep. Sewell. “By visiting our communities and speaking with constituents and local officials, I am prepared to leverage our collective resources to ensure that infrastructure projects in our district receive the funding and prioritization they deserve.” 

Sewell began the day in Demopolis with a visit to Whitfield Memorial Hospital followed by a press conference to discuss the healthcare provisions in the Build Back Better Act and how federal funding from various pieces of legislation have helped support hospitals by keeping first responders, frontline health workers, and other providers of vital services safely on the job. She took the opportunity to thank frontline workers for fighting to keep residents of the 7th District safe and healthy during the pandemic.

She then visited Carl Turk County Road 12 in Livingston to highlight the over $6 billion in federal funding for Alabama included in the infrastructure law that will help fix Alabama’s roads and reduce the backlog of major repairs for highways and bridges in Alabama. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will:

  • Create Millions of Good-Paying Jobs– Together with the Build Back Better Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will create an average of 2 million jobs per year over the course of the next decade. 
  • Repair and Rebuild Alabama’s Roads and Bridges– The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the single largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. Based on formula funding alone, Alabama would expect to receive:
    • $5.2 billionfor federal-aid highway apportioned programs
    • $225 millionfor bridge replacement and repairs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act over five years. 
  • Connect Every Alabamian to High-speed Internet– Broadband internet is necessary for Alabamians to do their jobs, participate equally in school learning, health care, and to stay connected. Yet 18% of Alabama households do not have an internet subscription, and 11.5% of Alabama residents live in areas where, under the FCC’s benchmark, there is no broadband infrastructure. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Alabama will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 565,000 Alabamians who currently lack it. It also makes 1,518,000 Alabamians (31%) eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
  • Make Transformational Investments in Alabama’s Water Infrastructure– Currently, up to 10 million American households and 400,000 schools and child care centers lack safe drinking water. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, based on the traditional state revolving fund formula, Alabama will expect to receive $782 million over five years to improve water infrastructure across the state and ensure that clean, safe drinking water is a right in all communities. The bill also includes $23 billion nationally for the bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act.
  • Improve Healthy, Sustainable Transportation Options– Alabamians who take public transportation spend an extra 66.2% of their time commuting and non-White households are 4.5 times more likely to commute via public transportation. 25% of transit vehicles in the state are past useful life. Based on formula funding alone, Alabama would expect to receive more than $400 million over five years under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to improve public transportation options across the state.

Alabama can also compete for the $12.5 billion Bridge Investment Program for economically significant bridges and nearly $16 billion of national funding in the bill dedicated for major projects that will deliver substantial economic benefits to communities.

Photos and videos from today’s events in Demopolis and Livingston can be found here

Issues: 

EconomyJobs and Workforce Development

Thomas Attends Peer Helper Conference

On November 10-12, Joeva Thomas, Sumter Central Peer Leader, attended the National Peer Helper Conference in Orange Beach, AL. The conference included sessions on academic stress, self- image, world events, depression, risky behavior, and school life to name a few.

Mrs. Thomas participated in sessions that supported methods for implementing school-wide strategies that advocate for suicide prevention as well as offer support for the students that she serves. The experience allowed her to collaborate with other instructors from across the state as they advocate for students in their county.

BrewCS Ribbon Cutting

University Charter School Livingston, AL  BrewCS Students had their official ribbon cutting December 10, 2021. This project continues to grow and develop community partnership and create opportunities for real world learning scenarios.

University Charter School Peer Helpers 2021-2022

October Health Observances

We encourage all FOCUS schools to engage in at least one health observance activity each month. October has some excellent choices for students on your campuses to “Make a Difference” and to encourage their peers to participate.

1-31 Domestic Violence Awareness Month

1-31 National Bullying Prevention Month

1-31 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

6-12 Mental Illness Awareness Week

9 National Walk to School Day

11 National Depression Screening Day

23-31 Red Ribbon Week

Alumnus Of The Month

Congratulations to Lester C. Samuel, Jr, our September Alumnus of the Month.

Lester, an active member of FOCUS beginning in middle school at Livingston Junior High School and then at Sumter Central High School, became involved with FOCUS because of his desire to help others. He was particularly interested in the anti-bullying program because he felt that no child should be bullied. Lester used many opportunities to share anti-bullying information with his peers at school, with family members, and with church members.

He attributes his early interest in FOCUS to his three Livingston Junior High Facilitators, Ms. Kenyetta Jones, Ms. Angel Dubose-Thomas and Ms. Rhonda Bibbs. Their early intervention into his life led him to encourage everyone to be kind and to always look out for one another.

Lester is now attending the University of West Alabama majoring in Engineering Technology.

Virtual Student Leadership Training Opportunity Available Through FOCUS!

“There are two basic choices in life. Check out and whine or….SHOW UP AND SHINE.”                                                                             -Kent Julian

 

We are excited to announce a partnership with Kent Julian. As a motivational youth speaker and leadership trainer, Kent serves thousands of students, advisors, and educators primarily through his partnerships with Career and Technology Student Organizations (CTSO), school districts, and student leadership organizations. Kent served as the keynote speaker for the 2015 FOCUS Rally at Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega, AL.

 

Kent Julian will be providing a series of four interactive leadership training videos for Alabama FOCUS schools. The series will be available upon demand in early September at www.thefocusprogram.com under the Facilitator Portal. When registering as a FOCUS School for 2021-2022, the facilitator will receive a User Name and Password to access the Leadership Training Video Series and other valuable resources to empower students to lead the prevention of adolescent risk behaviors in schools and communities across the State of Alabama.

 

Kent wants to serve you and your team! You can be guaranteed he will SHOW UP AND SHINE and his focus will be providing leadership training to have your students prepared to have the best school year possible.

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often indicate more serious issues.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness on this stigmatized, and often taboo, topic. In addition to shifting public perception, we use this month to spread hope and vital information to people affected by suicide. Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.

Throughout September, FOCUS is partnering with NAMI and will highlight “Together for Mental Health,” which encourages people to bring their voices together to advocate for better mental health care, including a crisis response system. NAMI wants any person experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors to have a number to call, a system to turn to, that would connect them to the treatment and support they need.

Please email your photos and activities to April at afreitag@thefocusprogram.com to be highlighted on the FOCUS social media sites and in the newsletter. 

Graduation Ceremony

 Sumter County Community in Action Strengthening Families Program Graduation Ceremony was held on June 16, 2021 at the Livingston Community Center. The guest speaker was Dr. Stanley Triplett professor at Jefferson state college Bessemer, AL. Strengthening Families Program “SFP” is an evidence-based family skills training intervention that provides Children’s Life Skills, Parenting Life Skills, and Family Life Skills sessions to strengthen parenting and family functioning.

INSPIRING A RENAISSANCE

A daughter of the Black Belt is inspiring a renaissance in the state’s poorest regions

STRENGTHENING FAMILIES PROGRAM

The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is a family skills training intervention that provides Children’s Life Skills, Parenting Life Skills,  and Family Life Skills sessions to strengthen parenting and family functioning.

Families Served:
Sumter County will serve families with children 12-17 years old

AGENDA:  

1.  The program begins with a healthy home cooked meal where parents and children sit
together, eat, talk and enjoy without the interruption of telephones and televisions and
social media!
2. Parents and children meet separately for 1-hour to participate in the parenting skills and children’s life skills classes. Childcare for young children and tutoring.
3. Participants complete a 14-session weekly program.

CLASSES HELD AT Livingston Community Center AT 4:00 P.M.
BEGINNING every Wednesday September 2021

For additional information please contact Eleanor James, Coordinator/Facilitator

Telephone:205-499-9566 Email: Eleanor James eleanorjames53@yahoo.com

Mrs. Lena Hardaway, Director of Sumter County Opportunity, Inc. 205-652-4477

BE SAFE! BE SOBER! HAVE FUN!

Livingston, York, Epes, Gainesville, Emelle, Geiger, Panola and Cuba, AL
Sumter County Community in action COALITION is continuously recruiting new members to be a part of bringing positive change to Sumter County. The Coalition focus is the prevention of underage drinking in Sumter County by implementing various activities throughout the community. Members of this coalition all have a passion for making Sumter County a safe community for our children by providing them with knowledge and understanding in hopes that it may prevent incidents in the future related to  underage drinking.

Youth involvement and engagement are major facets in making this coalition a success. The coalition is always looking to recruit new members to be a leader in the community. They in turn will be able to go out into their community and make a difference by spreading the word about the prevention of underage drinking. SCCAC is excited to be working in tandem with the Sumter County school system, University Charter School, community leaders and residents to educate and promote positive change throughout Sumter County. If you desire to join the SCCAC to please contact, Eleanor James, Coalition Coordinator at 205-499-9566. Our next meetings will be June 23, July 21, August 17, and September 15, 2021

FOCUS SUMMER NEWSLETTER

Want to join with hundreds of schools across Alabama to empower students to be actively involved in reducing the incidences of risky behaviors among their peers?

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

2020 FOCUS RALLIES CANCELLED: READ MORE HERE

Sumter County Community in Action COALITION is continuously recruiting new members to bring positive change to Sumter County.  The Coalition focus is on the prevention of underage drinking in Sumter County by implementing various activities throughout the community.  Members of this coalition all have a passion for making Sumter County, a safe community for our children by providing them with knowledge and understanding in hopes that it may prevent incidents in the future related to underage drinking

Youth Engagement

Youth involvement and engagement are major facets in making this coalition a success.  The coalition is always looking to recruit new members to be a leader in the community.  They, in turn, will be able to go out into their community and make a difference by spreading the word about the prevention of underage drinking.  SCCAC is excited to be working in tandem with the Sumter County school system, community leaders and residents to educate and promote positive change throughout Sumter County.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

2020 FOCUS RALLIES CANCELLED: READ MORE HERE

Sumter County Community in Action COALITION is continuously recruiting new members to bring positive change to Sumter County.  The Coalition focus is the prevention of underage drinking in Sumter County by implementing various activities throughout the community.  Members of this coalition all have a passion for making Sumter County, a safe community for our children by providing them with knowledge and understanding in hopes that it may prevent incidents in the future related to underage drinking.

Youth Engagement

Youth involvement and engagement are major facets in making this coalition a success.  The coalition is always looking to recruit new members to be a leader in the community.  They, in turn, will be able to go out into their community and make a difference by spreading the word about the prevention of underage drinking.  SCCAC is excited to be working in tandem with the Sumter County school system, community leaders and residents to educate and promote positive change throughout Sumter County.

Get In Touch

If you desire to join the SCCAC, please contact

Eleanor James, Coalition Coordinator at 205-499-9566.

Get In Touch

If you desire to join the SCCAC, please contact Eleanor James, Coalition Coordinator at
205-499-9566.

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