To provide an educational program to Georgia’s youth, which will provide guidance and the skills, ability and knowledge to be safe, healthy, and happy in preparation for a successful life.
OVERVIEW:
It is the desire of Sheriff Sisk and the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. to see children participate in healthy activities that are drug-free, non-violent, and promote safety. Although these types of educational programs have existed in the Catoosa County School system, most are rigid and do not allow flexibility in the topics offered. For example, boating safety may not be as big an issue in Catoosa County as it would be in other counties with large lakes and waterways. However, because boating safety is part of the required curriculum, it had to be taught and could not be substituted with a topic pertinent to our county.
In 2003, numerous sheriffs through the state encouraged the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. (GSA) to develop a flexible health and safety educational program that could be taught in local schools. GSA solicited the assistance of deputies experienced in K-12 classroom instruction to develop and implement an educational program. This team of deputies representing eight counties and GSA staff met to discuss this important issue. After many months of intense planning and development, the program C.H.A.M.P.S. (Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety) was conceived.
In 2004, the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office adopted this program and presently has seven certified C.H.A.M.P.S. instructors. The C.H.A.M.P.S. lesson plans contain objectives that should be met in each class; however, these lesson plans are not comprehensive, requiring instructors to conduct research to ensure he/she is knowledgeable in each area. It shall be the responsibility of each sheriff that chooses to utilize this program to ensure his deputies are providing accurate information to the students in a professional manner.
It is the desire of Sheriff Sisk, the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, Inc. and all persons involved in this project that this program be used statewide to prepare children for a successful life. They are our future.
About Champs
Target Audience: Fifth graders were the original target audience of the Champs program. Catoosa County has also been selected by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association as one of eight counties in the State of Georgia to pilot a middle school curriculum. The Champs lessons are being taught in all three middle schools as well as all eight elementary schools.
Program Length: Twelve weeks is recommended; however, the program may be shortened or extended to meet the county’s needs.
Class Length: Forty-five/sixty minutes, one day a week.
Instructors: C.H.A.M.P.S. lesson plans are taught by certified law enforcement officers from the Catoosa County Sheriffs’ Office who have successfully completed C.H.A.M.P.S. instructor training. C.H.A.M.P.S. Lesson Plans include:
