Baldwin County was facing an unemployment rate of 16.5 percent in 2011, and Harrisburg, nearly 25 percent. It was around that time when Cavin joined Family Connection and saw firsthand how support programs for families were feeling the strain of a community in need.
When Habitat for Humanity International was planning its 2016 Affiliate Summits, one of its goals was to host a summit in a rural location to illustrate how big things can happen in a small community where resources are scarce but enthusiasm is high. They found everything they were looking for in Baldwin County, where revitalization of the historic Harrisburg neighborhood is a shining example of what can be accomplished when residents, local government officials, businesses, and community partners work together toward a common goal.
The 11 Georgia Family Connection county Collaboratives in Region 7 are bringing partners together with a common goal to strengthen families and help students succeed. Promoting healthy living, offering Bridges Out of Poverty training and GED recruitment events, making literacy for all ages a priority, working to prevent child abuse and neglect, and revitalizing communities are just some of the ways the Collaboratives are moving toward their goal.
Georgia fell two spots to 42nd in the nation in child and family well-being, according to the 2016 annual KIDS COUNT® Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Despite this drop, Georgia’s data improved or held steady in every domain compared to last year’s report. Most areas since 2008 – 2010 have improved.
Georgia Family Connection Collaborative Fayette FACTOR, youth leadership development organization AVPRIDE, and community leaders initiated a social hosting ordinance in Fayette County that makes it illegal for adults to knowingly allow youth to drink on their property, even if they didn’t purchase or directly provide the alcohol.
Gov. Nathan Deal, first lady Sandra Deal, and leaders of several state agencies call for families and caregivers to have heightened awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. Officials hope a new public service announcement will help prevent children’s heatstroke deaths this summer.
Distributing a half million books to kids, providing 50,000 meals to children who would have gone hungry over the summer and weekends, and logging in 45,000 volunteer hours valued at more than a million dollars are just some of the ways Family Connection is working to ensure that every child and family will thrive.
May 3 was the last day for Gov. Nathan Deal to sign or veto legislation passed during the 2016 session…. Read More
by Sherri Ellington l myjpa.com
by Michell Eloy l 90.1 FM WABE
The 10 county Collaboratives in Region 4—located on the Georgia-Alabama line in the west central section of the state—where a quarter of the population lives in poverty, are committed to helping families become self sufficient, and to build positive behavior and relationships.
Nearly 200,000 children in Georgia have been separated from a parent due to incarceration, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Parental incarceration is plunging poor families and communities deeper into poverty, and is cutting deep into the state budget.