It’s been called Selma’s “best kept secret.”

The Children’s Policy Council – comprised of representatives from city and county resource centers and agencies and volunteers – meets each month to assess the needs of the county’s children, then find avenues to meet them.

The council has in place many programs and activities for children and their families, such as mentoring.

The Fatherhood Initiative volunteer coordinator William Hasberry is organizing a workshop for men seeking to be facilitators of the program. The workshop will be held this week – Wednesday, July 19 and Thursday, July 20

– at the Holy Ghost House of God Church off Highland Avenue.

The goal of Fatherhood Initiative is to teach fathers how to be better parents.

Judge Bob Armstrong, who serves as chairman of the Policy Council, presented Hasberry with a Good Samaritan Award for his work with the council during its meeting on Friday.

The Police Athletic League holds basketball games at Ronnie Sharpe Park on Voeglin.

And there is a Gang Resistance Education and Training Program that will be coming to schools.

The council’s funding comes from grants, state appropriations, gifts and donations, which are – along with volunteers – constantly sought.

It’s no secret that some families, and children, slip through the cracks of programs set up to help them.

The Children’s Policy Council is in place to try to ensure that doesn’t happen.