Overdose Fatality Review Team
Mar
24

Overdose Fatality Review Team

Overdose Fatality Review Team

March 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Waycross Family Justice Center
2201 Riverside Ave, Waycross, Georgia 31501
Lunch will be provided

The Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Team is a multi-disciplinary initiative designed to bring together professionals across our community to examine overdose deaths, identify systemic gaps, and strengthen prevention efforts.

This effort is made possible through a grant from the CDC Foundation with support from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust.

Who Should Attend?

We are seeking collaboration from professionals including:

  • Health Department Officials

  • Law Enforcement

  • EMS

  • Medical Examiners

  • Prosecutors

  • Human Resource Officials

  • Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention Providers

  • Child Protective Services

  • Mental Health Social Workers

  • Pain Management Clinicians

  • Physicians & Nurses

  • Primary Care Providers

  • Pharmacists

  • Human Outreach Professionals

  • Drug Treatment Court Representatives

  • Patient Advocates

  • School Counselors

  • Housing Authority Representatives

If your work intersects with public health, behavioral health, criminal justice, education, housing, or community outreach, your voice and expertise are vital to this process.

Goals of the Overdose Fatality Review Team

  • Build a strong, multi-disciplinary community network to collaborate across agencies.

  • Recognize and address gaps and barriers in services that may contribute to overdose deaths.

  • Identify underlying causes of substance use disorders, including systemic, social, and healthcare-related factors.

  • Determine prevention strategies targeting opioids and other substances.

  • Develop actionable recommendations for policy and program changes at both local and state levels.

Why This Matters

Every overdose death represents not just a statistic, but a life lost and a family forever impacted. By conducting structured, collaborative reviews, we can move beyond reaction and toward prevention. The OFR Team allows agencies to share data, identify missed opportunities for intervention, and strengthen coordinated responses that save lives.

Together, we can build a more responsive, informed, and proactive system of care for our region.

Register here:

https://forms.gle/xCmXgPKX3mfnU316A

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May
28

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

May 28, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Family Justice Center
2201 Riverside Ave., Waycross, GA 31501

Do you have the skills to support a child facing a mental health challenge or crisis? If not, this free, full-day Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training is designed for you.

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents. Just as CPR helps someone assist during a physical health emergency, YMHFA equips participants with the tools and confidence to provide initial support to a young person experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a challenge.

What You’ll Gain:

  • The ability to recognize the early warning signs of youth mental health challenges

  • Practical skills to respond effectively and calmly during a crisis

  • Increased confidence in supporting youth in schools, churches, organizations, and the broader community

  • A better understanding of how to connect young people to appropriate professional resources

This training is especially valuable for educators, school staff, youth leaders, healthcare providers, parents, faith leaders, law enforcement, and anyone who works closely with young people.

By increasing community awareness and preparedness, we strengthen our ability to support youth before challenges escalate — helping to reduce stigma, encourage early intervention, and build healthier futures for our children.

For questions, please contact:

  • Ali Lopez – alopez@unisohbh.com

  • Bonita Blake – bblake@unisonbh.com

Registration information coming soon.

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Naloxone Training
Mar
13

Naloxone Training

Naloxone training is an educational session that teaches participants how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to safely administer naloxone — a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose within minutes.

During this training, attendees will learn:

  • How to identify an opioid overdose

  • When and how to administer naloxone

  • What to do while waiting for emergency responders

  • How to help reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorder

  • How to connect individuals to local support resources

  • Emergency Response Protocols and Procedures

Why is this important?

Opioid overdoses can happen anywhere — in homes, workplaces, schools, and public spaces. Naloxone is safe, easy to use, and has saved countless lives across the country. Equipping community members with this knowledge empowers everyday people to act quickly and confidently in an emergency.

Why does our community need this?

Rural communities often face limited access to emergency services and treatment resources. By increasing awareness and training local residents, we strengthen our collective ability to respond, reduce preventable deaths, and support individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder.

This training is free and open to the public. Whether you are a parent, teacher, healthcare worker, faith leader, business owner, or simply someone who wants to be prepared — this information could help you save a life.

👉 Reserve your spot here:
https://forms.gle/Kb5UGzorSNQXvnxf7

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Waycross Court School for Advocates
Feb
26

Waycross Court School for Advocates

The Prosecuting Attorneys' Council of Georgia and the Waycross Family Justice Center welcome advocates to attend Court School for Advocates. This free one-day training is open to victim advocates from across the State of Georgia.

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Courageous Voices Support Group
Oct
28

Courageous Voices Support Group

Domestic violence is not only physical — it can also include mental/emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. At Magnolia House, we provide a supportive space for survivors to come together, reflect on how abuse has impacted their lives, and receive encouragement from others who truly understand.

Our Domestic Violence Support Group is a safe and confidential environment where survivors gain strength through social support and positive feedback. The overall goals of the group are to restore a more hopeful outlook and to empower you with healthy coping strategies for moving forward.

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Community Resource Fair
Oct
23

Community Resource Fair

Join us for a day of connection! Explore local services, meet partnering agencies, tour the Waycross Family Justice Center, and enjoy a bite to eat and refreshments while discovering resources that strengthen our community.

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Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Oct
9

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Join us for a free, full-day Youth Mental Health First Aid training designed for parents, caregivers, teachers, school staff, health and human service workers, and community members who want to make a difference in the lives of youth. Breakfast and lunch will be provided as participants learn how to identify signs of mental health and substance use challenges in youth ages 12–18, understand risk factors and warning signs, respond with confidence and support, and connect youth with appropriate resources and help.

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Law Enforcement Training
Oct
2

Law Enforcement Training

Join us for the 22nd Annual Law Enforcement Training, hosted by the Waycross Judicial Circuit. This free, full-day training offers eight (8) hours of P.O.S.T. credit, equipping attendees with valuable knowledge and skills to better serve our communities. Featured speaker Lt. Mark Wynn brings over three decades of experience and a powerful passion for empowering others; he has dedicated his life to making a difference in the fight against violence. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and strengthen your skills in service to our communities. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all attendees.

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