ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

November 8^th, 2023

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – In accordance with the nationwide recognition of National Adoption Month, with November 18th designated National Adoption Day, Rockdale County Government proudly joins this observance, increasing awareness and promoting action to provide permanent, nurturing homes for children in need.

Rockdale County Juvenile Court Judge Maureen Wood has undertaken proactive measures to enhance the lives of children in foster care and fortify our community. To realize this vision, Judge Maureen Wood has established collaborative partnerships with the Law Office of Felita Cornog and the Georgia Department of Human Services (Rockdale County Division of Family & Children Services) to host a commemorative event in honor of National Adoption Day.

These organizations cordially invite the community to participate in this event on Friday, November 17th, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Restoration Storehouse, 1400 Parker Rd SE, Conyers, GA 30094.

The event, an informal and open-door gathering, provides an opportunity to understand the urgent need for foster and adoptive homes in Rockdale County and explore the available resources. Attendees will be educated on diverse avenues to contribute to the cause, even if they cannot serve as foster or adoptive parents.

Judge Maureen Wood emphasizes, ” People are surprised to hear that when children are placed into foster care, they are often also removed from their schools, churches, and neighborhoods and placed in different communities throughout the state. We have an abundance of caring and concerned citizens but a shortage of foster and adoptive homes in Rockdale County. I want to change that.”

The event will feature representatives from private child placement agencies and adoption agencies, delivering invaluable information and addressing queries related to private adoptions. The following agencies will be in attendance:

• Rockdale County Juvenile Court (Judge Maureen Wood)
• Law Office of Felita Cornog (Felita Cornog, Adoption Attorney)
• Georgia Department of Human Services (Division of Family & Children Services)
• Community Connections (Private Child Placement Agency)
• Rockdale CASA
• Rockdale County Clerk of State and Superior Courts (Janice Morris)
• Foster and Adoptive Parents with lived experience

For additional information about this event or inquiries regarding fostering and adoption in Rockdale County, please contact Juvenile Court at (770) 278-7777.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

November 7, 2023

More than 90% of the Dogs and Cats That Entered the Shelter Last Year Were Saved

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Animal Services (RCAS) reached ‘No-Kill’ status in 2022, according to Best Friends Animal Society’s annual data report (https://bestfriends.org/no-kill-2025/animal-shelter-statistics). This means the shelter saved more than 90% of the dogs and cats that entered the shelter last year. The Board of Commissioners (BOC) recognized Animal Services at the November 7 BOC Meeting for this accomplishment.

“I am beyond excited and proud of my team for this accomplishment, Animal Services Division Manager CiJi Baker states. Thanks to my dedicated team, wonderful leadership, animal-loving advocates, rescue groups, citizens, and a supportive BOC. I cannot wait to see what else we can accomplish. The hard work is not over. We need the continued support to further improve and work toward maintaining this status.”

Highlights of programming and steps taken for the shelter to achieve its no-kill status:

• Creation and approval of the strategic plan for Animal Services in the Spring of 2021.
• Education about our animal ordinances.
• Public education on responsible pet ownership.
• Expansion of the animal shelter.
• Increase in Social Media presence, including a new website.
• New adoption practices of pre-spay/neuter/microchipping of dogs and cats before leaving the shelter.
• Increase in staff training.

To learn more about Rockdale County Animal Services, visit www.RockdaleCountyAnimalServices.org.

• Our Vision- A future where our citizens and government work together so that every creature is compassionately cared for and has a safe place to call home.
• Our Mission- Rockdale County Animal Services division educates, enforces, and assists Rockdale County citizens and visitors with animal needs in a tactful, dignified, discreet, caring, and protective manner. As part of the mission of RCAS, the division will strive to become a “no-kill” agency.
• Our Values- Health of Animals, Quality of Life, Cooperative Accountability, Care / Cleanliness / Professionalism, Efficient use of tax dollars.

About Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization working to end the euthanasia of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 378,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 4,200 animal welfare and shelter partners and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.

*A 90 percent save rate is the nationally recognized benchmark to be considered “no-kill,” factoring that approximately 10 percent of pets who enter shelters have medical or behavioral circumstances that warrant humane euthanasia.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

October 31, 2023

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. –  In a prestigious ceremony held at the Augusta Marriott & Conference Center on Thursday, October 12, 2023, Judge Maureen Wood of the Rockdale County Juvenile Court was honored with the Innovative Leadership Award at the 2023 Georgia Conference on Children and Families (GCCF).

The award recognizes Judge Wood’s exceptional leadership in the field and her unwavering dedication to enhancing programs for court-involved youth and families since taking the bench in 2016. Judge Wood’s contributions were celebrated by her peers, who described her as “a leader amongst leaders.” Key accomplishments highlighted at the awards ceremony include:

• Expanding the Rockdale County Juvenile Court program offerings by implementing two additional Accountability Courts: The Family Treatment Court and Mental Health Resource Court.
• Revamping the Court’s CHINS protocol to improve its effectiveness.
• Initiating the Project GLOW girls’ group, a program designed to address the increasing number of girls in the juvenile justice system. This program focuses on self-esteem, community engagement, goal setting, and self-care through a strength-based curriculum.
• Establishing the Youth IMPACT Center Day program, which provides daily supervision and educational instruction to suspended and expelled youth.

The GCCF is Georgia’s largest annual interdisciplinary event, bringing together professionals from various disciplines and organizations dedicated to serving the state’s children and families. The conference offers specialized tracks, training sessions, and keynote presentations aimed at improving outcomes for the community’s most vulnerable individuals. Participants in the conference include representatives from child advocacy, juvenile justice, social services, behavioral health, education, legal counsel, and the faith-based community.

The theme of this year’s conference, “We are the Village,” underscores the importance of collective effort in addressing the needs of children and families in Georgia. In her acceptance speech, Judge Wood expressed her gratitude, stating, “I’m humbled and honored to accept this award. I can’t take all the credit. None of this would be possible without staff and stakeholders willing to share my vision and jump in without resistance. I’m grateful to be surrounded by a village of professionals with hearts for our court-involved youth and families.”

Judge Maureen Wood’s leadership and dedication to improving the lives of court-involved youth and families in Rockdale County have not only been recognized but celebrated at this year’s GCCF, affirming her position as an exemplary figure in the field.

For more information, please contact Rockdale County Juvenile Court Clerk of Court Darlene.mitchell@rockdalecountyga.gov or at (770) 278-7777.

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