Spalding County Collaborative Authority for Families and Children Focuses on Long-Term Disaster Recovery
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By Regina Abbott, Executive Director
Spalding County Collaborative Authority for Families and Children
Families in our community are facing a housing shortage. The tornadoes of Jan. 2023 exacerbated this problem, when 250 homes sustained major damage or were destroyed and 2,000 homes incurred minor damage. Low-income homeowners and those renting properties were hit hardest. An apartment complex offering subsidized housing burned in 2023, and another subsidized complex was declared unsafe and uninhabitable in 2024. Impacted families are still living in motels. We receive calls almost daily from families who don’t have or can’t afford a place to stay.
We’re part of a housing issue work group formed three years ago that’s made considerable strides toward eradicating dilapidated and unsafe housing. Two complexes have been built over the past three years and construction of another is underway.
We’re focused on long-term disaster recovery. Under the umbrella of our Collaborative, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) continues to garner resources from within and outside the local community. The VOAD Resource Allocation Committee coordinates and oversees the inspection, case management, construction, volunteers, and cost sourcing for each project.
Being one of 159 autonomous county-level Collaboratives within Georgia Family Connection provides uniformity for greater impact—along with expertise, technical assistance, and support from Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP). We have access to funding and external grant opportunities, along with communication, data, and evaluation assistance. Data collection and review, as well as sharing ideas and practices, strengthens the statewide network for the betterment of Georgia. GaFCP’s processes and practices hold each Collaborative to a high standard of integrity, credibility, and accountability.
Visit Spalding County Collaborative Authority for Families and Children’s website and Facebook page.
To find out more, contact me at 678-603-1090 or regina@spaldingcollaborative.com.