Our Programs
Communities In Schools of Berrien County
Communities In Schools of Berrien County is an evidence-based model, adapted to meet each community’s unique needs, and is being implemented in three schools in Berrien County. We currently have Communities In Schools, Site Coordinators in the Berrien Primary School, Berrien Elementary School and at the Berrien Academy.
The Mission of Communities In Schools of Berrien County:
- To surround students with a community of support
- Empowering students to stay in school
- For students to achieve in life
Berrien Family Resource Center
Most of our programs are provided through our Family Resource Center, located next to our main office, where families can easily access support and community connections. Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier Berrien County—one family at a time. please contact:
Georgia CASA
Our Vision for CASA of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit is for all children that are in foster care to have a CASA Volunteer that will represent their needs and concerns in court proceedings. All children deserve to have a VOICE.
For more information on CASA, please contact: Victoria Merritt vmerrit@fccisberrien.org
Parents as Teachers (PAT)
Parents As Teachers is a home visiting program funded through Family Connection/ Communities in Schools of Berrien County. Parents as Teachers work with children from the prenatal stage to 5 years to ensure they meet their development and milestones based on age.
Parents as teachers work in the home to teach the parents how they are the child’s first teacher. They also work with the family on Child Development, Parenting Behavior, Parent-Child Interaction, Development-Centered Parenting, and Family Well-Being.
For more information, please contact:
Sharon Paris sparis@fccisberrien.org Shantell Lambert slambert@fccisberrien.org
Berrien Autism Support Group
Because FC/CIS serves many families and individuals of the Autism Community we have reintroduced our Autism Support Group. This group is open to the community for anyone affected by Autism and is a great opportunity to meet others within the community to raise awareness and build a team of support to encourage one another.
For more information on Berrien Autism Support, please contact: Sara Akins sakins@fccisberrien.org
Berrien Kinship Care
Berrien Kinship Care provides a monthly support group for Kinship families. Providing support, resources, and education to relatives such as grandparents, aunts and uncles, or anyone who has developed a kinship type bond.
Services and programs offered are case management, advocacy, and information & referral, assessments, therapeutic therapy, respite care, educational opportunities and monthly support groups. This is a grant funded program, and all programming and services are at no cost.
For more information on Berrien Kinship Care, please contact: Sara Akins sakins@fccisberrien.org
Berrien Babies Early Literacy Program
The Berrien Babies Literacy Program promotes school readiness in children ages birth to 5 years old. All participants that sign up for this free program in Berrien County will receive a welcome book kit that includes age-appropriate books, a learning activity book, flash cards, resource guide, an age-based learning guide, and a Berrien Babies stuffed animal as well as a new book each month until the child enters Kindergarten.
For more information on Berrien Babies, please contact: Amelia Gray agray@fccisberrien.org
Communities In Schools (CIS)
Site Coordinators
Our Community Schools Site Coordinators, Leah Wicker (BPS) and Monica Purvis (BES), and Angela Williams (Berrien Academy) offer direct services and referrals to community agencies to help students succeed. Their goals are to improve academic performance, increase social/ emotional learning, improve physical and mental health, and to provide family connection to community resources.
For more information, please contact:
BPS – Leah Wicker lwicker@fccisberrien.org
BES – Monica Purvis mpurvis@fccisberrien.org
BA – Angela Williams awilliams@fccsiberrien.org
Community Collaborative Meeting
Please join us for our monthly Community Collaborative Meeting. Meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at 12pm at the Berrien Family Resource Center 1035 Exum St, Nashville. All businesses, organizations and community members are invited each month to come share, learn and collaborate.
For more information, please contact:
Sara Paulk spaulk@fccisberrien.org
The Berrien Academy School
The mission of Berrien Academy is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to become productive citizens in their community through the development of personalized learning programs and one-on-one relationships with caring adults.
For more information on Berrien Academy, please contact:
Brett Drawdy brett.drawdy@berrien.k12.ga.us
Nashville Farmers Market Kids Club
A free monthly kids club to learn more about healthy eating & gardening. First 50 families receive a FREE gift and a special Farmers Market voucher! Kids can enjoy fun and FREE activities like learning more about fruits & vegetables and getting to plant their own! Bring the whole family fora morning of learning, laughter, and hands-on fun at the Nashville farmers Market – the second Saturday of every month from 10-11:30 am
