Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition Welcomes New Executive Director, Celebrates Serving Communities for 10 Years

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Incoming CGIC executive director Kim Clifton, left, stands with outgoing executive director Lizann Roberts after the organization’s meeting in December 2024.

Jan 17, 2025

SAVANNAH — Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition (CGIC), a Georgia Family Connection Collaborative, has built the largest storehouse of public health data in the Savannah area over the past decade and has also served as the Chatham Family Connection Collaborative. The coalition is observing the 10th anniversary of its incorporation and has recently welcomed a new executive director. Its partners reflect on how the organization has changed the landscape of public health and elevated the quality of life for untold numbers of coastal area residents.

In November, the Coalition announced the appointment of Kim Clifton to succeed Lizann Roberts, who retired in December after seven years at the organization’s helm.

“I am overwhelmed by the deep impact CGIC continues to have in the greater Savannah community, and I am excited and honored to be a part of this meaningful work going forward,” said Clifton.

“The City of Savannah benefitted from the work of Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition when the agency served as the community outreach partner for our 2021-2022 Georgia Smart Communities project,” said Taffanye Young, chief Community Services officer for Savannah. “CGIC worked closely with city staff and Georgia Tech researchers to develop a community survey and outreach strategy to identify community perceptions among residents, in an equitable and inclusive manner. Surveyors trained in socially aware community outreach gave voice to residents, empowered historically marginalized communities, and validated community priorities for improving the lives of citizens.”

Among its hallmarks are a massive databank of resources and key partnerships, both of which enable the Coalition to provide a framework and sustenance for equity initiatives that elevate the health and welfare of citizens who may never know how or why their situations were improved.

CGIC currently:

  • Maintains a database with 265 searchable indicators that includes Chatham, Bryan and Effingham counties in the areas of economy, education, health, and quality of life that measures the community’s well-being including comparison data against state averages, county values, and 2030 target goals.
  • Hosts bimonthly meetings inviting 300 partners to learn from featured speakers on significant issues facing our community and updates on the Chatham Community Blueprint; reporting ongoing progress to the community, including challenges and accomplishments, implementation and evaluation, community vitality, status of volunteer leadership and upcoming funding opportunities.
  • Maintains the only regional resource allowing individuals and organizations to locate best practice models and grant opportunities to help the Savannah-Chatham and our regional communities build healthier places to live, work and play.
  • Works with public and private organizations to advance the goals and strategies of the Chatham Community Blueprint.
  • Serves organizations with project planning and implementation, meeting facilitation and building collaborative partnerships.

Also, as the coastal region’s arm of the Georgia Family Connection, the only statewide network in the country dedicated to the health and well-being of families and communities, CGIC serves as the Chatham Family Connection Collaborative, empowering Chatham, Bryan, and Effingham counties to craft local solutions based on local decisions.

“On behalf of Gateway Community Service, I am pleased to share how profoundly our organization has benefited from the exceptional work of the Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition,” said Phylicia Anderson, LCSW, director of Child & Adolescent Programs, Gateway Community Service Board. “CGIC has been a key partner, providing invaluable support through funding for critical trainings such as Mindful Self-Compassion and the Community Resiliency Model. These trainings have significantly enhanced our ability to serve our community effectively.”

As the Coalition enters its second decade of service, it will continue to serve the coastal region as a collaboration of resource agencies addressing overall health and well-being.

CGIC was incorporated as a stand-alone non-profit entity in 2014 after being invited to submit a proposal to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to create a community-wide, long-range strategic plan using data and community input.

Read the story on bryancountynews.com.