Clayton News Daily

This school year, WORKTEC –– in collaboration with the Clayton County Board of Health –– will offer workshops to students on nutrition and health, once a month, according to Joel Hall, spokesperson for the Clayton County Board of Health.

Hall said the first of many educational and interactive sessions on sexually transmitted infections and hygiene, were offered to WORKTEC students on Wednesday, Oct. 26. 

This is a part of the new health-education program initiated at WORKTEC by Dr. Maureen Egbuna, school social worker, and Kelli Roberson, school psychologist.

“The first two sessions were well-attended, and student participation was very impressive, Dr. Egbuna said. “The students [in the 12th grade], were provided quality information on sexually communicable infections and hygiene.”

Egbuna said the intent of the Oct. 26 workshop was to be proactive, and equip students with the valuable information they need to prevent sexually transmitted infections, and overall, keep themselves safe, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Hall said it was WORKTEC, who contacted the board of health, to provide health-education services to the students. “WORKTEC was interested in bringing in different groups to assist students [on living a healthier lifestyle],” he added.

He said a community health educator from the Clayton County Board of Health will visit the students, once a month, and will cover topics on proper eating, dieting, nutrition and developing healthy habits.

“Some kids have disabilities, and having a proper diet plays a big part,” said Hall. “[An improper diet] can cause them to develop other diseases.”

The Clayton County Board of Health’s healthy-living program, he said, is sponsored through the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

The curriculum that is offered is in collaboration with the National Institute of Health and Diabetes, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According its web site, WORKTEC is a community rehabilitation program centered in Jonesboro, whose mission is to create, and provide, employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

In operation since 1977, the program utilizes the collaborative efforts of local businesses, various government agencies and the community to achieve quality outcomes for the individuals it serves. As a unit of Clayton County Public Schools, WORKTEC has the ability to serve both, youths transitioning from school programs, as well as adult populations, its web site says.