Georgia is experiencing an opioid crisis. In fact, Georgia is among the top 11 states with the most opioid deaths with 55 counties having an overdose rate higher than the national average. This issue has impacted counties to the extent that ACCG has created a standing Opioid Crisis Committee. In this fight, counties are often asked to stretch limited resources even further by increasing emergency services, providing additional training and supplies to first responders, turning jails into treatment facilities, and even addressing addiction issues within their own workforce.

In that this is a statewide issue, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), and the Department of Community Health (DCH), is developing Georgia’s strategic plan to address the opioid epidemic. As such, ACCG has been asked to help develop a survey to gauge how this crisis is impacting counties.

Later this month, a survey will be sent to your county by email. Since the survey will include questions regarding emergency services, health care, and county operations, it may require your county to consult with multiple departments and offices to complete. The answers provided will help inform key state stakeholders as they develop the state strategic plan. Therefore, it is important to respond to this survey so that your county’s needs, costs, and recommendations are considered in this process.

If your county needs more information on this issue before answering the survey, visit the website for the Georgia Attorney General. For in depth information provided on a county or regional level see the Center for Disease Control and the Georgia Department of Public Health.

 

The 2018 Georgia General Assembly passed HB 489, subsequently signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal.

Effective July 1, 2018, any bid or proposal extended by a county, city or board of education for goods and services valued at $10,000 or more, or public works contracts for over $100,000, must also be posted on the Georgia Procurement Registry - at no cost to the local government.

On June 25, the State Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) sent out the attached notice unveiling this Website containing information on the new law; frequently asked questions; how to register for, access and utilize the Georgia Procurement Registry; available training materials; and other assistance. The goal is to aid local governments in complying with this new state requirement.

DOAS has also established a procurement help desk (404-657-6000, or procurementhelp@doas.ga.gov) to sign up for future DOAS communications, answer any questions, and provide additional information in this regard.

 

 

University of Georgia student, Kristin Witcher, Interns with Athens-Clarke County’s Public Information Office

Marketing major, Kristin Witcher, did not know much about county government prior to her internship with Athens-Clarke County’s Public Information Office aside from the basic layout of her local county government. However, upon the completion of her internship, Witcher felt much more comfortable with county government, recognizing the intricacies of zoning and rezoning regulations, as well as the importance of commission meetings in deciding what projects are ultimately approved and disapproved.

 

During the course of her internship, Witcher assisted the Public Information Office in recording a series of informative videos on a variety of topics. Additionally, she traveled around Athens-Clarke County to take photos of various county-run camps and facilities and made presentations highlighting the work being performed by the county. When asked about her most significant success, she noted that it was assisting with the creation of a video that stressed the importance of wearing sunscreen.

 

The best part of the internship for Witcher was interacting with the employees of the manager’s office, in that she believed that the employees genuinely cared about the county and its constituents, and as such, she was glad that she had the opportunity to work with them. Throughout her internship, Witcher gained significant knowledge in the art of video making, learning a lot about the importance of lighting and audio in filming. She also enjoyed learning about the different ways in which to create video content.

 

For Witcher, the future might not hold a career in county government, as she desires to work in marketing in the private sector. However, she still values the opportunity that she had to learn more about county government and the skills that she gained in the process.

 

For more information on the GCIP, please visit the ACCG Civic Affairs Foundation website at http://www.civicaffairs.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia Archives, 100 Years: Where We Are Now. From Idea to Reality

On Saturday, July 14, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. is a brand new behind the scenes "Georgia Archives, 100 Years: Where We Are Now: Idea to Reality" tour. This tour will give you the opportunity to go behind the scenes in several areas in the Archives. Follow professionals as they present the path that leads from "idea to reality."

Have you ever wondered how we create exhibits here at the Georgia Archives? Join us on this tour as reference archivist, Allison Hudgins, and preservation technician, Tracey Johnson, take you behind the scenes and show how an idea becomes reality. From the selection of collection materials for display to the installation in our exhibit cases, learn all about the work that goes into a successful exhibit.

Attendees will be visiting the conservation and reformatting labs, exhibit preparation room, and behind the exhibit cases.

The tour is free. No registration is required. Please wear comfortable shoes.