The Greene County Democrat

Tag: “Read Greene Read”

  • Children’s Policy Council details local needs assessment and upcoming September conference 

    Children’s Policy Council details local needs assessment and upcoming September conference 

    By Maya Quinn, editor

    The Greene County Children’s Policy Council (CPC) met on Monday, August 26th at 10:00 am in the W.M. Branch Courthouse. Members discussed upcoming initiatives for Greene County’s youth and families as well as progress within each committee. 

    Attorney Tonjula Carey, district judge-elect, opened with a meditation for policy council members. The theme cautioned against burnout and reminded attendees to take time to replenish themselves. This can be done by setting boundaries, gently slowing down, and permitting ourselves to clear away what no longer serves us.

    Program Director of Community Outreach and Engagement from the Alabama Department of Family and Childhood Education, Nichole McCants, informed attendees with updates from the Alabama Children’s Policy Council. She announced that a conference would be held September 21-22, 2026. The event will feature a guest speaker and opportunities for attendees to earn Continuing Education Units approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Judge Lillie Jones Osborne will be awarded the Champion for Children Award at the event for her CPC work: Little Library, Little Outdoor Pantry, and Read Greene Read. Greene County will be featured in the CPC newsletter for these initiatives. 

    McCants also detailed the results of the Greene County needs assessment for the upcoming year. The top three categories are mental health, parental involvement and family engagement, and substance use. She encouraged the council to visit Alabama Family Central online for resources that are curated by county and can upload their own agency. 

    Following Nichole McCants updates, the floor was opened for updates from the council’s committees: early care, education, health, strengthening family, safety, parental involvement, and economic security. 

    Judge Osborne gave updates for early care and education, informing attendees that the council paid for children to attend other camps instead of hosting and coordinating their own. She stated that the One Book, One Community reading of Imagine That and The Square Nosed Pig was a huge success. The next reading event will be held in December, and the council is searching for community members to come read their favorite stories. 

    The council also partnered with Eutaw Housing Authority to give all children a school supply-filled backpack to begin the year. They are currently in search of mentors for students at Robert Brown Middle School starting in September. The council hopes to send every student to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery this year as well. 

    Following Judge Osborne’s updates, Mildred Morgan with Strengthening Families reported eight families graduating from their spring session. She stated that to hold a session this fall, the program needs four more volunteers to lead the parent and teen class.

    Safety Committee leader Jeremey Rancher plans to speak with student athletes about drinking and substance abuse during homecoming weekend, on October 9th. He wants to organize regular sessions throughout the school year during periods when teens will be out of school or out late to deter dangerous behavior.

    The floor was then yielded to the council’s agencies and supporters. Alabama Department of Public Health representative Janise Norman came to remind the council of her Safe Sleep Initiative. The program includes safe sleeping arrangements for infant families and safe sleep training sessions. She can be reached at (205) 759-6166 or Janise.Norman@adph.state.al.us

    The council is eager for project ideas that meet the needs of children and families in Greene County. The next meeting will be held on October 19th. To learn more about the policy council and its resources, visit: https://www.alcpc.org/

    Featured Image: Nichole McCants and Judge Osborne

  • GCCPC holds annual Read Greene Read community readings

    The Greene County Children’s Policy Council held its annual “Read Greene Read” event on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at the Eutaw Activity Center. The event highlights the Policy Council’s tradition of reaching out to the community while supporting the SPOT After School Tutorial Program. Since its inception in 2022, Greene County CPC Chairman, Judge Lillie Jones-Osborne has sought creative ways to magnify the urgent need of reading for children and adults in Greene County.

    Beautiful Christmas decorations adorned the center beginning in the foyer and throughout the building. SPOT students and community participants read their favorite Christmas stories. A delicious meal was served, toys were distributed, and family photos were taken with Santa. All families in Greene County are encouraged to continue to make reading a priority in their homes daily.

  • The One Book- One Community Reading a Huge Success

    The “Read Greene Read” held its first One Book- One Community reading on March 2, 2022. The guest artists were local author Jocelyn Steel and illustrator Mynecia Steele. Jocelyn Steele read and discussed her book “The Square Nose Pig.” The event was held via Zoom. Over 150 individuals registered for the event.

    The event was sponsored by The Greene County Children’s Policy Council, The Greene County School System and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Greene County Cultured Pearls Interest Group. According to Judge Lillie Jones-Osborne the next reading will take place in May 2022 and we are inviting all of Greene Countian to join the “Read Greene Read” campaign. Pictured below are students from the Branch Heights After School Program participating in the event.