Lanier County Strengthens Disaster Readiness Through Collaboration
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Earlier this year, approximately 25 Lanier County community members participated in a SWOT Analysis facilitated by the American Red Cross to identify the county’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the event of a disaster. Several committees were formed as a result.
The Collaboration and Coordination Team, led by Lanier County Family Connection Executive Director Amy Griffin, met for the first time in May and is developing a plan that defines the role the faith-based community will play during a disaster—for example, serving as a food bank, clothes closet, or staging location. This work will not only strengthen Lanier County’s disaster response for residents in crisis but will also broaden the reach of Lanier County Family Connection.
The team currently includes the Red Cross executive director, Lanier County Schools liaison, and two church leaders, in addition to Griffin, with a goal of adding more faith-based partners in the coming months.
This spring, the American Red Cross also spent time with Lanier teens teaching them how to stay safe during a disaster, while UGA Extension equipped caregivers with practical food safety skills for disaster situations. “Keeping families fed and safe goes hand in hand,” said Griffin. “Our caregivers and teens came together for an incredible learning experience. Knowledge is power, and our young people left more confident and prepared. We are so grateful for partners who invest in our Lanier County families.”
Lanier County Family Connection also recently named Susie Abbott as the Lanier County Red Cross Liaison. Abbott recently had the opportunity to meet with Red Cross Executive Director Jackie Shoemaker to learn more about their work and plans to share the information with Lanier County—helping the community be informed, prepared, and connected.
Lanier County Family Connection is a member of the Georgia Family Connection statewide network, working alongside children, families, and communities across the state to craft local solutions that maximize resources and make systems more effective and efficient.
To learn more about Lanier County Family Connection’s efforts, contact Amy Griffin at 229-234-7714 or agriffin@lanierfamilyconnection.com.