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DISABILITIES/SPECIAL NEEDS
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

CHILDREN 1st
Telephone:	800-204-8731
Address:	1865- 103 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesville, Georgia 30501
Services:	Children 1st serves to link and refer children from 0-21 years of age by tracking children with disabilities to make sure they receive all needed services. There are no financial eligibility requirements.

BABIES CAN'T WAIT
Telephone:	800-204-8731
Address:	1856- 103 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesville, Georgia 30501
Services:	Babies Can’t Wait is an early intervention program for developmentally delayed children from 0-3 years of age. There are no financial eligibility requirements.

CHALLENGED CHILD AND FRIENDS, INC.
Contact:	Maria McDaniel, Ext. 104
Telephone:	770-535-8372
Fax:	770-535-0252
Email:	info@challangedchild.org
Website:	www.challangedchild.org
Street address:	2360 Murphy Blvd. Gainesville, GA 30501
Hours:	7:30am-4:30 pm
Services:	Our school-year program offers infant stimulation; preschool education; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; nursing; and family support.  Services are provided in a warm and colorful atmosphere where daily routines and activities teach and nurture all children.  Children gain skills, self-confidence and social experiences that enhance learning and living.  Children with and without developmental delays learn and grow together.
Fees:	Early intervention services have sliding scale fees and scholarships
Volunteer Opportunities:	contact Sunshine Jordan (770) 535-8372 Ext. 102

CHILDREN 1st
Contact:	Annette Harkins
Telephone:	800-204-8731
Address:	1856- 103 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesville, Georgia 30501
Services:	Children 1st serves to link and refer children from 0 - 21 years of age by tracking children with disabilities to make sure they receive all needed services. There are no financial eligibility requirements.

CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SERVICES
Telephone:	800-204-8731
Address:	1856 - 103 Thompson Bridge Rd Gainesville, Georgia 30501
Services:	Children’s Medical Services provides subspecialty medical care for chronic medical conditions for children 0-21 years of age. Clinics are held each month for hearing, vision, genetic, neurological and orthopedic problems.
Fees:	Fees covered by Medicaid, PeachCare, or private insurance. Families with or without insurance are also accepted and may (depending on their income) be required to pay a portion of the cost based on a sliding scale.

GATEWAY
Contact:	Joyce Gazaway or Judy Robinson
Telephone:	706-864-6183
Address:	67 Ethan Allen Drive Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	Monday- Friday 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Services:	Day support, residential services, etc for mentally retarded citizens, as well as employment support services for mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse.

GEORGIA LEARNING RESOURCES SYSTEM (GLRS)
Contact:	Laura Brown
Telephone:	706-865-2141
Address:	PO Box 1789 Cleveland, Georgia 30528
Website:	www.pioneerresa.org
Hours:	Monday- Friday 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM
Services:	A resource Center offering services to parents and educators of students with disabilities.

LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND & PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED
Contact:	Kathy Evans or Kenneth Nelloms
Telephone:	770-535-5738
Address:	127 North Main Street Gainesville, Georgia 30505
Hours:	Monday- Friday 9:00 AM- 5:30 PM
Services:	Library services in recorded format, as well as large print materials and Braille are available for the visually impaired and physically handicapped. Equipment and services are free of charge and mailed directly to patrons.

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Telephone:	800-772-1213 for recorded information 770-532-7506 for Gainesville Office
Website:	www.ssa.gov
Hours:	Monday- Friday 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Services:	Applications accepted for Social Security Retirement, Disability and Process applications for social security cards, change of address and Medicare problems.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM GEORGIA DEPARTMENT Of LABOR
Contact:	Michael Barnet serves High School students
Phone:	770-781-6789
Contact:	Betsy Garner, DOE Counselor for Dawson Cnty & General Counselor for Forsyth County
Phone:	770-781-6795
Address:	100 Colony Park Drive, Suite 204 Cumming, Georgia 30040
Hours:	Monday-Friday 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM
Services:	Assists individuals with any type of physical or mental challenge to go to work. This includes giving vocational evaluations to assess work abilities and career goals, medical and psychological evaluations if needed, job training, which includes assistance with tech school/ college/ university training, on the job training, counseling and guidance and job placement assistance.

FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES

COMMUNITY HELPING PLACE
Contact:	Mary Transue, Executive Director
Telephone:	706-867-9621
Fax:	706-864-8828
Email:	chpinfo@alltel.net
Mailing address:	P.O. Box 712 Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Address	2030 Highway 19 North
Hours:	Food Pantry & Client Assistance Intake Monday-Friday 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM To apply for assistance call for an appointment. 706-867-9621
Services:	The Community Helping Place is a community outreach program of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Ministerial Associational Association to provide food, emergency financial assistance (for rent, utilities, etc) and referral support services for families and individuals in Lumpkin County.
Fees:	No charge
Volunteer Opportunities:	Volunteers to work in Food Pantry and Thrift Store Food Pantry 706-864-8828 Thrift Store 706-867-1885 1st week of May is Gold Party

DAHLONEGA CARE CENTER
Contact:	Karen Bowden
Telephone:	706-867-7452
Website:	www.dccga.org
Address	353 N. Grove Street Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	Wednesday - Friday 11:30 AM- 4:30 PM
Services:	Dahlonega Care Center provides free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds to women in a crisis pregnancy situation. They provide free maternity clothes, baby clothes and baby items. In addition, they assist those who are eligible in applying for Medicaid.
Fees:	No Charge. One-hour appointment is necessary to become a client.
Volunteer Opportunities:	Volunteers to work in the Thrift Store.
Events:	Annual banquet

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICES (DFACS)
Contact:	Child Protective Services Supervisor - Kara Adams 706-864-1971 Placement Supervisor - Lisa Sewell 706-864-1984 Economic Support & Eligibility Supervisor - Linda Dixon 706-864-1654
Telephone:	706-864-1980
Fax:	706-864-1651
Address:	175 Tipton Drive Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	Monday-Friday 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Services:	Determine eligibility for Food Stamps, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), Medicaid, Nursing Home, and Child Care. Investigate children in foster care and place children for adoption.
Fees:	Screening services are free.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GAINESVILLE CAREER CENTER
Contact:	Glenda Baker, Assistant Manager or Mark Winters, Supervisor
Phone:	770-535-5484
Address:	2419 Corporate Drive Gainesville, Georgia 30504
Hours:	Monday- Friday 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM
Services:	Serves community with job openings in area, filing of unemployment insurance, career information, federal bonding, resource library, youth programs and clerical testing. Also provides various workshops including job search assistance, positive attitude, networking, financial management, CAPS assessment, resume and cover letters and skills identification.

GEORGIA FATHERHOOD PROGRAM
Contact:	Trudy Ayers - 706-754-7837 Melanie McManaway - 770-531-4007 Allison Hurst, Pharmaceutical Tech - 706-754-7772
Address:	PO Box 3395 Gainesville, Georgia 30503
Hours:	Monday-Friday 8:00 AM- 5:00PM Will make appointments locally
Services:	Father must have an active Child Support case. Ten basic Life Skills Workshops are required. Job training and GED offered. Financial obligations for education will be paid by the Fatherhood Program.

KINSHIP FAMILIES
Contact:	Jocelyn Joaquim
Telephone:	706-864-2768
Email:	JayWolfSister@aol.com
Address:	1188 Hamp Mill Rd Saint Elizabeth's Episcopal Church Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	5:30 - 7:00 PM
Services:	Support Group for Grandparents and other Relatives raising children ,we meet every third Wednesday of each month from 5:30 -7:00 p.m.at Saint Elizabeth's Episcopal Church Bring the children

LUMPKIN FAMILY CONNECTION
Contact:	Anita Middleton, Coordinator
Telephone:	706-864-4114
Fax:	706-864-4114
Email:	anitamiddleton@alltel.net
Website:	http://168.8.96.100/~fc/
Address:	51 Mountain View Drive Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Services:	The Family Connection Collaborative is comprised of local agencies, organizations, and individuals who work together to provide services to benefit the youth and their families in Lumpkin County. Family Connection provides Family Advocates, located in each elementary school, to assist families with location resources to help meet their needs. In addition, Family Connection provides students with proactive growth opportunities including challenge course activities, leadership training, peer helping/mentoring training and services, during school and after school enrichment courses, and summer camp classes. Family Connection also works in conjunction with Lumpkin County Schools targeting tobacco, alcohol and drug prevention programs.
Volunteer Opportunities:	To donate money or items to assist families in need contact Anita Middleton. Items needed include packaged and canned food, toiletries, school supplies, and books. Other ways to contribute are with gas vouchers, grocery gift certificates, and automotive repair vouchers. If you would like to donate money to help these families, make checks payable to Lumpkin Family Connection/Lumpkin County Schools and send to the address above.

LUMPKIN COUNTY MENTORING PROGRAM
Contact:	Roger Greer Roberta Eaton
Telephone:	706-867-7047
Email:	rgreer@mail.lumpkin.k12.ga.us
Address:	51 Mountain View Drive Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Services:	Provide orientation and training to individuals who would like to become a mentor for a Lumpkin County student and match mentees with mentors. What is a mentor? In general, a mentor serves as a friend, a guide, an advisor, and positive role model. Mentoring is an opportunity for adult leaders within our community to make a positive difference in a student’s life. Mentors are expected to make weekly contact in some form (phone call, postcard, email, and /or face to face) with their mentee. Mentors are expected to make face-to-face contact at least twice a month during the school day.
Volunteer Opportunities:	Serve as a mentor to a youth in the Lumpkin County School System.

RAINBOW CHILDREN’S HOME, INC.
Contact:	Melinda Rollins
Telephone:	706-864-5110
Fax:	706-864-5615
Email:	rainbowhome@alltel.net
Website:	www.rainbowchildrenshome.org
Address:	247 E Main Street Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Services:	Rainbow Children’s Home is an emergency shelter for abused, abandoned, and/or neglected children in the age range of 6 -17 years. Children are referred by the Department of Family & Children Services (DFACS).

RIGHT FROM THE START MEDICAID PROJECT (RSM)
Contact:	Corrie Garrison
Telephone:	706-864-9711
Fax:	706-864-1651
Email:	garrison.corrie@gomail.doas.state.ga.us
Website:	www.dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/rsm
Address:	Lumpkin County RSM 175 Tipton Drive Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	Monday & Thursday: 9:00AM-7:00PM Tuesday & Wednesday: 7:00AM-5:30PM Friday: 7:00AM-10:00AM
Services:	Certification of Medicaid for pregnant women and of children up to age 19 years (determined by monthly gross income) Referrals are also made to other potential benefit sources. Provides applications for PeachCare for those who are not Medicaid eligible but are within 235%of the poverty level. Call 1-877-GAPEACH for more information.

HEALTH SERVICES

CHESTATEE REGIONAL HOSPITAL
Contact:	Christine Wilbanks, Director of Marketing/Public Relations
Telephone:	706-864-4305
Fax:	706-864-1356
Email:	christine.wilbanks@sunlinkhealth.com
Website:	www.chestateeregionalhospital.com
Address:	227 Mountain Drive Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	24-Hour Emergency Services
Services:	49-bed, acute-care hospital with 24/7 emergency services; Maternity Services, intensive care unit and Medical/Surgical/Pediatric Unit.
Physician Referral	Call: 706-864-5934

CHESTATEE REGIONAL HOSPITAL - WOMEN’S CENTER
Contact:	Michelle Cantrell
Telephone:	706-867-7560
Fax:	706-867-7637
Address:	80 Mountain Drive Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	Monday-Friday 9:00 AM- 2:30 PM
Services:	Mammography

GEORGIA MOUNTAIN HOSPICE
Contact:	Gina Pendley
Telephone:	800-692-7199 or 706-253-4100
Address:	PO Box 580 Jasper, Georgia 30143
Hours:	Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM Nursing Support Available 24 Hours a Day
Services:	Provides End of Life Care to the terminally ill in their own homes or nursing homes. Hospice is a non-profit organization and will accept anyone regardless of his or her ability to pay. Bereavement services are also available.

HOSPICE OF NORTHEAST GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER
Telephone:	770-533-8888
Address:	2150 Limestone Pkwy, Suite 222 Gainesville, Georgia 30501
Hours:	Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Nursing Support Available 24 Hours a Day
Services:	Provides End of Life Care to the terminally ill in their own homes or nursing homes. Bereavement services are also available.

LUMPKIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Contact:	Linda Truelove
Telephone:	706-867-2727
Email::	lctruelove@gdph.state.ga.us
Address:	56 Short Street A Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	Monday-Friday 8:00 AM -12 noon and 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Services:	Immunizations for adults and children. Well Child Check-ups, Women’s Health Services, Lab Services, Hearing, Vision, and Dental Screenings, WIC Program (food vouchers for women, infants, and children less than 5 years of age), Dental Services for Children, Environmental Health (septic permits, water testing, restaurant inspection), Disease Surveillance.
Fees:	Women’s Health & Child Health services fees are on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size.

HOUSING

ACTION MINISTRIES
Contact:	Dawn Jarred
Telephone:	770-531-0144
Address:	PO Box 54613 Atlanta, Georgia 30308-0613
Services:	Action Ministries is a transitional housing program for those who are homeless or in eminent threat of becoming homeless. The program includes transitional housing, case management, outreach, and supportive services. Participants can remain in housing from three to twenty-four months, based on need and progress toward their goals.

DAHLONEGA HOUSING AUTHORITY
Contact:	Jewell Hood
Telephone:	706-864-3758
Fax:	706-867-6108
Email:	s134@alltel.net
Address:	90 Thompson Circle Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Hours:	Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Must call for an appointment)
Services:	Provide adequate and affordable housing. All applicants must complete a pre-application process to qualify for the waiting list. Usually, the Housing Authority has a waiting time of several months. Applicants must provide the following information as part of the application process: social security card, birth certificate, income verification, personal references, and submit to a criminal background check.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Contact:	Rut Schaffer, President
Telephone:	706-864-7584
Email:
Address:	P.O. Box 1002 Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Services:	Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people who need help in meeting basic housing needs from repairs and renovations to complete new houses. They work in conjunction with individuals who need assistance. To apply you must live in Lumpkin County in sub-standard housing. You must be unable to pay for repairs or a new house with your own savings and resources or be unable to qualify for a conventional loan. Other financial guidelines may apply. For more specific information and/or an application, please call or write.
Volunteer Opportunities:	Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers to help build and repair houses. Financial donations are also accepted.

HOPE HOUSE OF DAHLONEGA, INC.
Contact:	Marty Turner, CEO
Telephone:	706-864-5611
Email:	Hopehouse1@alltel.net
Website:	www.expage.com/hopehouse
Address:	P.O. Box 1494 Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Services:	½ way house for men & women suffering from substance abuse. 6, 9, or 12-month inpatient program with 3-month outpatient (can be done in client’s home town). Client attends 90 AA/NA meetings for 90 days. Also client is required to attend provided Drug & Alcohol Education, Cognitive Behavior, Life Skills, Anger Management, Relapse Prevention, Family Relationships, and Life Coaching classes each week. One on One counseling is available to all clients. Clients are required to find employment within 14 days upon entering.
Fees:	$975 Processing Fee and $34 a day, which a payment plan can be set up (this includes rent, counseling, food, utilities, group costs, 24 hour supervision, etc.)
Volunteer Opportunities:	Hope House is always searching for volunteers to assist in any way they can. Financial donations are also accepted.

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