Recognition for Our Program

COLLEGE OF HEALTH & HUMAN SCIENCES
Wellness First was selected by the College of Health & Human Sciences to be featured at the Legislative Event Friday, January 15, 1999, at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot.

GEORGIA NUTRITION COUNCIL
Project Abstract was selected to be presented at the Georgia Nutrition Council Annual meeting February 11, 1999.

Preventive Nutrition Education

DEVELOPING COMMUNITY NUTRITION RESOURCES FOR/wellnessfirst/IR FAMILIES

The Department of Nutrition of the University of Georgia is pleased to be a partner in the Nutrition Education Plan for the State of Georgia with the development of a pilot project focusing on preventive nutrition resources for low-income women and their families who utilize the food stamp program in Barrow County, Georgia. Barrow County was chosen as the pilot county because it is similar to a majority of rural counties in Georgia with a high percentage of low-income women who are heads of their households.

COUNTY STATISTICS

Barrow County, Georgia is in the Northeast section of Georgia about 60 miles from Atlanta.

Mortality Rates

Population (as of 1999): 40,344
Number of deaths (as of 2000): 307

% of deaths caused by:

Cancer: 20.8%
Heart Disease: 31.6%
Stroke: 5.5%
Respiratory Disease: 9.1%

Socio-Economic Status:

Poverty Rate: 13.3%
Urban (as a % of population): 35.4%
Rural (as a % of population): 64.6%
Female-headed households: 29.3%
FS Benefits (recipients/month): 2510
FS Benefits (households/month) 1105

MISSION

Purpose
To demonstrate that a comprehensive community approach of preventive nutrition education, screening, case management and community support will improve nutrition behaviors and modify chronic disease risk factors (i.e., diet, weight, elevated blood cholesterol, and blood pressure)

Goal
To illustrate that low-income women who utilize the food stamp program can also modify chronic disease risk factors and improve their quality of life and their families through nutrition education, promotion of personal responsibility, and community support

Objectives

Link clinic and community food resources;
Empower existing Barrow County food stamp and public health professionals;
Provide training, protocols, and framework for preventive education, disease prevention, and health promotion;
Create community-based support by linking Barrow County food stamp and public health programs with local grocery stores, the county extension service, churches, beauty salons, cable access channels, libraries, hospitals, radio programs and restaurants

Contact Information

Barrow County Health Department
P.O. Drawer 1099
Winder, GA 30680

Tina Smith, RNC, NP
Health Department Director
Phone: (770) 307-3011
Fax: (770) 307-1039

Barrow County Department of Family & Children Services
P.O. Box 546
Winder, GA 30680

Ann Lowe
Phone: (770) 868-4240

Additional Barrow County Sponsors

Winder Housing Authority
Prince Craig
PO Box 505 Winder, GA 30680

Publix Super Market
Don Whittemore and Sharon Rampey
Winder Shopping Center
17 Monroe Highway, Suite A Winder, GA 30680
Community Action Services Dorothy Thomas 233 Broad Street Winder, GA 30680

University of Georgia Extension Services
Lily Page
66 McLeroy Street Winder, GA 30680

Pre-K Barrow County Schools
pbanford@barrow.k12.ga.us
96 Midland Avenue Winder, GA 30680