Meet Candyce Makins, the REACH Behavioral Health Coordinator with a passion for the social and emotional development of all children, and a profound devotion to our special education youth community. As the Behavioral Health Coordinator, Candyce focuses on social and emotional development as a key factor in mentoring students with circumstances related to trauma, anxiety, depression, bullying, or diagnosis such as ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), ADD (Attention Deficient Disorder), ADHD (Attention Deficient-Hyperactivity Disorder), ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), among others. As her role encompasses many aspects and is not limited to what is often considered “bad behavior,” Candyce aims to find the underlying causes and triggers of negative or destructive behavior and continues to be creative with different ways to connect and "REACH" those students who are not "disabled" but instead are differently-abled.
Candyce views the REACH transformational mentorship program as innovative and believes the value is as paramount and vital as preventative health care. Unfavorable behaviors can have negative trickle-down effects on our youth & our community. Thus, Candyce wholeheartedly believes preventative social & emotional care for our youth via impactful mentorship through REACH is just as important to our overall community as preventative healthcare is important to our overall health.
On a mission greater than herself, Candyce’s journey has always been about the betterment of youth of all kinds. Her dedication to and passion for special needs children has spanned a lifetime and led to a greater level of empathy for and understanding of our youth and their needs. Before joining the REACH Program, Candyce spent nearly a decade as a special needs Educator, specializing in curriculum development, services and accommodations such as Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504s, and the creation of innovative teaching methods for simultaneous in-person and virtual learning during the Covid-19 pandemic years. Her dedication and “whatever-it-takes" attitude has been recognized by Dekalb County's School District, earning her a 2019 Teacher of the Year Award. Candyce holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Management and Policy from Georgia State University, where she also served as the Community Service Chair for her chapter in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Candyce is a native of Fulton County and, thus, truly values the community in which her life began. She is honored to be able to work, volunteer, and pray for our community and dedicates herself to aiding in the success of its citizens.