2019 - 2020

Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Program Description 1

Overview & Background 2

Curriculum 3

Highlights 4

Outcomes 5

2019-2020 YES Participants 6

Acknowledgments 7

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Department of Human Services (DHS) Youth Empowerment Series (YES) is a leadership development program

designed to develop a generation of young people who are engaged in the needs of their communities and equipped

to educate and recruit others to improve the lives of vulnerable Georgians. This initiative engages Georgia high school

students in a variety of workshops, such as goal-setting, public policy and community service activities. The program

is designed to provide youth with a platform to offer their insight on issues, develop leadership and workforce skills,

and equip them with a blueprint to implement change in their communities. Through this program, youth can better

understand the importance of community impact in building stronger families for a stronger Georgia.

2019-2020 YES Annual Report | 1

2019-2020 YES Annual Report | 2

OVERVIEW & BACKGROUND

History

YES launched in 2016 with 51 student participants, as a way for students to

get involved with the Department of Human Services. In 2018-2019, 150 high

schoolers from all corners of the state were selected to participate in regional

cohorts, which met four times throughout the year. The one-day workshops, or

“meetups,” were designed to be fun and engaging and included discussion topics

such as intergenerational connectivity, communication skills, higher education,

child welfare and more. During the meetups, participants were also encouraged to

work collaboratively toward brainstorming solutions to human service issues.

Mission

To support Georgia’s families by providing opportunities for empowerment,

learning and community impact to youth.

Vision

Transforming Georgia families by empowering youth to be tomorrow’s leaders,

today.

Goals

The Blueprint. YES is a community-centered program that empowers youth

to be the blueprint for change in their communities and in the state.

Input on Issues. YES values youth input on the services DHS provides

to Georgia’s families. The program encourages youth to recognize the

importance of their opinion and civic participation.

Leadership. YES champions leadership development through workshops,

networking and mentoring in order to grow a generation of young trailblazers.

Workforce Development. YES focuses on practical, personal and

professional development through events like career panels, and introduces

participants to careers in social services.

Awareness. YES exposes participants to the work of the Department’s three

divisions and increases participants’ awareness of the needs of the vulnerable

Georgians we serve.

200+

Applicants

150 Students Accepted

36 Counties

Represented

2019-2020 YES Annual Report | 3

CURRICULUM

This year’s program covered many topics presented by subject matter experts,

DHS Senior Leadership and various community partners.

Community Service. Participants developed community service projects to

meet the needs of many vulnerable Georgians.

Workforce Development. Several DHS employees spoke with YES

participants throughout the year about the significance of protecting

Georgia’s vulnerable children, families and seniors. Roundtable discussions

held with senior leadership and other staff provided further exposure to

careers in the social services field.

Senior Hunger. YES participants broke out into discussion groups to

understand and define vulnerability threats facing the growing senior

population. Specifically, students held thoughtful conversations on senior

hunger, food insecurity and mobility. These topics inspired students to

brainstorm ways to connect with seniors and raise awareness to combat

issues affecting seniors.

Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation. YES participants discussed the different types

of abuse that our senior citizens can face. Division of Aging Services Supervisor

Anastasia Smith spoke about how Georgia law requires mandatory reporting

of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation by certain professionals who are

mandated reporters, and what the reporting process looks like.

State of Hope Child Welfare. Students discussed the intricacies of child welfare

and foster care with several Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) staff.

They also engaged in dialogue about how young people can be empowered to

work with DHS to better serve those who have contact with the system.

Human Trafficking. Participants discussed the complexities of the national

human trafficking issue. They gained knowledge on benefits trafficking - an

increasing crime that greatly impacts Georgia’s seniors and persons with

disabilities. This discourse increased awareness and informed students of

methods in place to combat trafficking in their own community.

Higher Education. Atua Emu from the Georgia Student Finance Commission,

discussed with participants the economic and civic value of college, and

the intrinsic personal value that comes from a college degree. Students also

held discussions with Georgia State University’s staff and community leaders

about the relevance of gerontology and importance of fighting hunger.

Technological Innovation. Participants discussed the key relationship

between technology and human services, and even brainstormed solutions

to issues using technological innovation. Students also learned about the

Division of Child Support Services mobile application, and how the tool

efficiently serves constituents.

2019-2020 YES Annual Report | 4

HIGHLIGHTS

Community Service

Each year, YES integrates a community service component in the program as

a way for youth to creatively think about how to tangibly meet the needs of

those in their communities. This year’s participants created action plans to help

local DHS offices by collecting personal items, such as toiletries and school

supplies, for foster care youth in areas like Fulton, Appling, Bibb, and Jeff

Davis counties. Local DFCS offices received small toy sets, games and school

supplies in an effort to make waiting rooms a more child-friendly environment.

2019-2020 YES Annual Report | 5

OUTCOMES

YES conducted several youth surveys to measure overall performance of the

program. The listed outcomes summarize those surveys and directly relate the

five goals detailed at the beginning of this report.

Participants cited that the program aligned with their personal and

professional interests.

100% participants agreed that they gained valuable soft skills making them

more marketable in the future.

Participants felt both included and engaged at each meetup.

100% of participants felt welcomed at each of the meetups,

and 100% contributed at each meetup in some way.

Participants gained valuable knowledge about financial aid and the

university system.

100% of participants agreed that they have found multiple ways to fund their

education, and benefited by hearing from academic professionals.

Participants learned about many facets of social service using GA DHS as a

template organization.

100% of participants agreed that they were more knowledgeable about their

communities and the problems therein than when the program first began.

Overall, youth were highly satisfied with the program.

100% of participants agreed that they would recommend the program to their

peers.

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

2019-2020 YES Annual Report | 6

2018-2019 YES PARTICIPANTS

Addison, Jasmyne

Anderson, Dahlia

Anderson, Kiara

Anderson, Makayla

Anderson, Sikera

Archer, Allison

Armstrong, Jordan

Asapokhai, Vanessa

Barren, Rebecca

Barron, Katelyn

Batista, Gabrielle

Beale, Desmond

Benford, Aaliyah

Birt, Raven

Blash, Destiny

Bonner, Lalani

Brown, Chinirah

Bryant, Autumn

Burton, Jamil

Butts, Mallory

Cabera, Careli

Cage, Kaleb

Capers, Solahra

Chance, Jesse

Clark, Shaun

Clarke, Tyrone

Cooper, Diamond

Copeland, Jacque

Cross, Tyresius

Daniels, Kasey

Darrisaw, Dasja

Davenport, Jordan

Dawson, Charity

Duncan, Jalisa

Easley, DaeBreanna

Eichelbaulm, Elizabeth

Ekstedt, Hannah

Elvine, Kyra

Evans, Errenous

Fabre, Joshua

Felix, Zora

Ferguson, Dutroia

Ferrell, Sarissa

Floyd, Maddie

Foster, Samuel

Franklin, Neveah

Frost, Landon

Fuentes, Jennifer

Fusung, Tahiri

Gamble, Carlton

Goodson, Jupiter

Gosukonda, Vennela

Graham, Victoria

Grant, Samuel

Greene, Jahkeim

Gregory, Kaleah

Griggs, Da’Juon

Gunnison, Imani

Hankins, Clara

Hardimon, Kai

Hardy, Garrison

Harris, Cledasha

Harris, Kyra

Harrison, Emily

Heggood, Katelyn

Henderson, Alexander

Hightower, Megan

Howard, Jakiya

Hudgins, Elijah

Hunt, Carson

Hunter, Zachary

Jadhav, Ameya

James, Caitlyn

James, Jayla

James, Terri

Johnson, Destiny

Johnson, Gaby

Jones, Kennedy

Joof, Aji Fatou

Jordan, Aria

Kerber, Anna

Key, Karson

Kim, Kailen

Krishnan, Rohan Ram

Lachance, Emily

Lampkin, Connie

Lane, Abigail

Lane, Bailey

Lane, Emma

Larry, Kyra

Lewis, Ka’Niya

Lovett, Jayetta

Lucas, Harrison

McBride, Destinee

Merritt, Kaylin

Middlebrooks, Joscelin

Mills, Alysia

Montgomery, Kendal

Moore, Bre’an

Moore, Caleb

Moore, Chasidy

Morgan-Bean, Damali

Moss, April

Moss, Makayla

Muhammad, Mushi

Ngo, Trista

O’ Brien, Brianna

O’Conner, Brooklyn

Oliver, Lauryn

Parker, Cymone

Perez, Sage

Perez, Sebastian

Perez, Skylar

Rainwater, Amber

Ramsey, James

Saafir, Saleem

Samiksha, Sriram

Scott, Nystaza

Sermons, Kaielle

Skojac, Madeline

Smith, Jalyn

Smith, Paige

Soura, Yely Amy Samyrah

Stephens, Nicolas

Stevens, Franklin

Talton, Reauna

Taylor, Caylin

Terrell, Al’Dasia

Thomas, Jillian

Thomas-Jackosn,Seren

Thompson, Avery

Tripp, Victoria

Troup, Taylor

Tutt, Chris

Umana, Erika

Walker, Jamari

Webb, Kari

Whitehead, Rachel

Wiedetz, Lydia

Williams, Cedria

Williams, Corinne

Williams, Cristen

Wilson, Makaila

2019-2020 YES Annual Report | 7

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks

We extend our sincere appreciation to our volunteers, guest speakers, senior

and executive leadership, alumni board members, parents, grandparents and

guardians without whom our program would not be possible.

Volunteers

Willie Mae Holt

Tammy Stewart

Cheryl Eugene-Eunice

Jasmine Stewart

Rebecca Brown

Eve Burgman

Gloria Wiggins

Carmen Callaway

Melinda Mathis

Yolanda Virden

Wendy Wilson

Meredith Yancey

Latonyia Siler

Guest Speakers

Rebecca Brown | Division of Family & Children Services

Anastasia Stewart | Division of Aging Services

Willie Mae Holt | Division of Family & Children Services

Monica Cameron | Division of Child Support Services

Atua Emu | Georgia Student Finance Commission

Cynthia Haley Dunn | Division of Aging Services

Mary Hart | Division of Child Support Services

Melinda Mathis | Division of Child Support Services

Valerie Rice | Division of Aging Services

Gloria Wiggins | Division of Aging Services

Chiquita Turner | Division of Family & Children Services

Allison Berna | Division of Aging Services

Sally Williams | Division of Aging Services

Yolanda Virden | Division of Child Support Services

Gloria Wiggins | Division of Aging Services

Alumni Board Members

Executive and Senior Leadership

Robyn A. Crittenden, Commissioner, DHS

Gerlda B. Hines, Chief of Staff, DHS

Ashley Fielding, Deputy Commissioner and Chief External Affairs Officer, DHS

R. Demetrius Taylor, Chief Financial Officer, DHS

Abby Cox, Director, Division of Aging Services

Tanguler Gray, Director, Division of Child Support Services

Tom Rawlings , Director, Division of Family & Children Services

Landon Wade

Amaad Masand

Rebecca Glover

Farrah Walker