Wednesday

12 – 4 p.m.                           Pre-Conference Sessions

1 – 4 p.m.                             Registration Open

3 – 4 p.m.                             Wellness Activity: Beach Walk

5 – 7 p.m.                             Opening Reception at Jekyll Island Club

Thursday

6 – 6:45 a.m.                        Wellness Activity

7 a.m. – 4 p.m.                     Registration Open

7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.               Breakfast Buffet

9 – 10:30 a.m.                      Workshop Session 1

10:30 – 10:45 a.m.              Snack Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.      Workshop Session 2

12:15 – 2 p.m.                       Plenary Luncheon & Keynote

2 – 2:15 p.m.                         Break

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.                   Workshop Session 3

3:30 – 3:35 p.m.                  Group Photo

3:30 – 5 p.m.                        Shoreline Social Networking Reception on Gazebo Lawn

Friday

6 – 6:45 a.m.                         Wellness Activity

7:15 – 10:45 a.m.                  Registration Open

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.                  Coffee and Light Fare

8:30 – 10 a.m.                      Workshop Session 4

10 a.m.                                   Brunch & Closing Plenary Session

• Pre-Conference Sessions
• Professional Development
• Healthy Children
• Data, Evaluation & Technology
• School Success & Children Primed for School
• Stable & Productive Families
• Thriving Communities

---

Pre-Conference Sessions

From Local Collaboration to Lasting Change: A Cohort Showcase

Collaboration matters—especially in moments of change. Join us for a pre-conference showcase featuring the work and lessons of Georgia Family Connection cohorts from communities across Georgia. Hear directly from participating counties about what they’ve learned, what they’ve accomplished, and how cross-sector collaboration has helped move local priorities forward. The session will also feature Kristin Bernhard, executive director of GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, who will provide perspective on the national and Georgia policy landscape and explore why strong partnerships and collective action are particularly important right now. Together, we’ll explore how the lessons from these communities can inform and inspire continued collaboration across the Georgia Family Connection network.

---

Mapping the Path to Systems Change: A Collaborative Learning Community Meeting

Georgia Family Connection Strategy Evaluation Learning Communities will come together to explore systems mapping and systems change, with a focus on how addressing underlying system conditions can lead to meaningful and sustainable improvements in community well-being. Using the Water of Systems Change framework as a foundation, participants will examine the systems, structures, and relationships that influence outcomes for children and families. Collaborative coordinators and partners, working alongside their Georgia Family Connection Partnership Evaluation and Results Accountability technical assistance (TA) providers, will begin developing a systems map of their community, identifying key relationships, barriers, and potential leverage points where their strategies can support lasting systems change. Please note that this meeting is only open to the Collaboratives in this learning community.

---

Communications Office Hours: Targeted TA for Collaboratives

Need a little help with your communications? Join GaFCP Communications team member Krystin Dean for a 15-minute, one-on-one technical assistance (TA) session tailored to your Collaborative’s needs. Topics may include social media, website content, publications, Canva, communications planning and strategy, and more. Advance sign-up is required. When registering, Collaborative coordinators should select an available timeslot and provide a brief overview of the topic, question, or challenge they’d like to discuss.

This is offered on a first come, first served basis. Sign up here. 

Presenter

Krystin Dean
Associate Director of Communications
Georgia Family Connection Partnership

---

Professional Development

Resilience by Design: Managing Load, Protecting Capacity, and Sustaining Performance

The evidence-based Community Resiliency Model (CRM)® trains community members to help themselves and those within their wider social network. The focus of this skills-based, stabilization program is to reset the natural balance of the nervous system. CRM’s goal is to help create trauma-informed and resiliency-focused communities that share a common understanding of the impact of trauma and chronic stress on the nervous system and how resiliency can be restored or increased using this skills-based approach. Learn to track your own nervous system to bring the body, mind, and spirit back into greater balance—and pass the skills along to family, friends, and your community. You will leave able to share methods as self-care for community members who respond to crisis situations or live in highly traumatized or marginalized communities.

Presenter

Sharon Brewer
Certified Community Resiliency Model (CRM) Teacher
Wellroot Family Services

---

Talk, Decide, Act: Facilitating Conversations That Strengthen Communities

Helping people work through challenging issues takes thoughtful facilitation and attention to what matters to those involved. This workshop will introduce practical ways to welcome different perspectives, encourage meaningful listening, and guide participants in weighing options and trade-offs. Participants will explore how to help groups navigate disagreement, make decisions together, and identify steps they can take to address local priorities and improve their communities. The session will also feature a brief introduction to What’s Next, America?, an initiative of the National Issues Forums Institute that supports communities as they talk, decide, and act together. Participants will learn about resources and community grant funding that can support their efforts to turn productive conversations into collective action.

Presenter

Dawn Harfmann
Program Manager
National Issues Forums Institute

Linda Seals
State Specialized Agent
University of Florida/IFAS Extension

---

Do Less, Lead More

The most effective leaders are not the busiest. They are the ones who decide what truly matters and protect their energy accordingly. This session reframes leadership for high performers by addressing passion fatigue—the quiet loss of energy that comes from doing too much of the wrong work, not from burnout. It challenges the belief that success requires constant output and instead offers a practical framework for focusing on what truly drives impact, energy, and alignment. The result is a more intentional way to lead—one that creates stronger outcomes at work and a more sustainable, fulfilling life.

Presenter

Jennifer Abshire
CEO and Founder
Abshire Public Relations

---

Crafting A Strategic Communications Plan: From Audience to Action

Discover how a strategic communications plan can create clarity, consistency, and greater impact while supporting the outcomes you’re working toward in your community. We’ll start where effective communication always should begin: with a clear understanding of your audience and purpose. Participants will receive a practical strategic communications plan template and explore a sample plan created by a county Collaborative. The session will also highlight tools and methods that make strategic planning easier and more sustainable. Leave with actionable strategies for prioritizing communications work and creating a plan that is both strategic and realistic—one that helps guide decisions, focus resources, and strengthen the impact of your work.

Presenters

Rebecca Bliss
Regional Manager
Georgia Family Connection Partnership

Krystin Dean
Associate Director of Communications
Georgia Family Connection Partnership

---

Healthy Children

Using HOPE to Reduce Risk and Strengthen Youth Outcomes

Behavioral health, peer support, and prevention initiatives across Georgia supported by the Georgia Health Policy Center’s Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Wellbeing (COE) are demonstrating that positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are powerful, measurable drivers of resilience. This session introduces the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) framework and illustrates how COE‑supported programs intentionally create the conditions that help youth thrive—even when they face adversity, trauma, or high adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Drawing from real examples, participants will see how HOPE principles are already embedded across Georgia’s behavioral health ecosystem. These initiatives demonstrate how nurturing relationships, safe environments, youth voice, and meaningful engagement reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and improve long‑term outcomes. The session highlights how peer support creates belonging and trusted relationships; how clubhouses offer safe, structured environments for recovery and emotional growth; how APEX expands access to caring adults in schools; how Sources of Strength and Positive Social Norms shifts social norms toward hope, help‑seeking, and connection; and how evaluation findings show the measurable impact of positive experiences on youth well‑being. Participants will leave with actionable tools to intentionally cultivate PCEs in schools, behavioral health settings, and community organizations—advancing a statewide culture of HOPE.

Presenter

La’Keidra Mitchell
Senior Research Associate, Georgia Health Policy Center
Georgia State University

---

Child Bereavement 101: Understanding and Supporting Grieving Children

Grief looks different in children than it does in adults, and understanding those differences is essential for anyone who supports young people. This presentation will provide an introduction to child bereavement, exploring how children process loss at different developmental stages and the challenges they may face after the death of a loved one. Attendees will participate in a hands-on activity to experience firsthand how we support our Kate’s Club members. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of children’s grief reactions, learn effective ways to provide support, and leave with tools and resources to help bereaved children and families navigate the healing process.

Presenter

Stacey Sekal
Director of Regional Expansion
Kate’s Club

---

From Input to Impact: Using the Family Voice Toolkit to Shape Policy and Practice

Members of the Georgia 2GEN Academy in 2014 created the Family Voice Toolkit, a guide to help organizations and agencies engage with the families they serve and support in truly impactful ways. Understand the difference between “family voice” and family engagement, learn how the toolkit assesses an organization’s integration of family voice, and discover how you can use this tool to shape your organization’s policies and practices to improve the impact you have on the families you serve.

Presenters

Bridget Ratajczak
Child and Family Development Supervisor
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning

Amy Roys
CAPS Director for 2Gen Strategies and Partnerships
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning

---

Literacy as Well-Being

Literacy and health are inextricably linked; early literacy, particularly, is often a proxy for overall health and well-being. Governor Brian Kemp signed several bills that recognized the complexity of the issue, and aims to strengthen the pathway to high school graduation and success in later life through an all-hands-on-deck approach. This session will provide an overview of pertinent literacy bills; articulate how leaders are aligning with existing literacy efforts; and explore the potential impact on educators, children, families, and communities.

Presenter

Stacey Lutz
Interim State Literacy Director
Georgia Office of Education and Workforce Strategy

---

Data, Evaluation, and Technology

From Data to Action: Using Local Data to Strengthen Community Impact

Many Georgia Family Connection Collaboratives are collecting valuable data but need support in organizing, interpreting, and applying that information to drive decision-making and demonstrate impact. This interactive workshop will provide practical tools and strategies for identifying what data to collect, tracking key indicators, and using findings to inform planning, improve programs, and communicate results to partners, boards, and funders. Through real-world examples, peer learning, and guided work time, participants will begin developing an evaluation approach for a program, strategy, or event in their own community and leave with next steps for turning data into meaningful action.

Presenters

Kirk O’Brien
Evaluation Consultant

Fowzio Jama
Evaluation Consultant

---

Using KIDS COUNT Data to Tell Your Story and Share Impact

This interactive workshop will guide participants in leveraging KIDS COUNT data tools to develop stronger, more compelling county data narratives. Designed for county leaders, coordinators, and data practitioners, the session provides hands-on experience using key KIDS COUNT resources to translate data into actionable insights. Explore how to effectively use data visualizations to communicate trends and outcomes, engage with disaggregated data by race and ethnicity to better understand disparities, and identify comparable counties to support peer learning and collaboration. Practice integrating these tools into your own local context, strengthening your ability to tell data-driven stories that inform decision-making and drive systems change. Leave this session equipped with practical strategies to enhance their county’s data narrative, elevate equity-focused analysis, and foster cross-county partnerships grounded in shared data insights.

Presenter

Jacquan Jordan
Data Manager
Georgia Family Connection Partnership

---

AI in Action: Practical Applications for Mission-Driven Organizations

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how organizations operate, but many nonprofits and public-sector teams are still figuring out what practical adoption looks like in the real world. This session will explore how mission-driven organizations are using AI tools to improve efficiency, support decision-making, reduce administrative burden, and better serve children and families. Attendees will hear practical examples of AI implementation, lessons learned from nonprofit organizations already using these tools, and approachable strategies for incorporating AI responsibly and effectively within their own teams.

Presenters

Matt Barnes
Managing Partner
Workfast Consulting

Zach Blend
CEO
Goshen Valley Foundation

---

AI For Everyday People: How Communities Can Use AI to Strengthen Families, Create Opportunities, and Improve Outcomes

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how we work, communicate, learn, and serve our communities—but many organizations and families still feel overwhelmed by the technology or unsure where to begin. Learn how AI can be used to strengthen families, support workforce development, improve community outreach, increase productivity, and create new economic opportunities—especially in underserved and resource-limited communities. Get real-world examples of how nonprofits, educators, workforce leaders, and small organizations can leverage AI tools—without needing coding or advanced technical skills—to save time, improve communication, increase engagement, and better serve children and families. Leave with practical strategies for using AI ethically and effectively to improve outreach, engagement, storytelling, collaboration, and outcomes.

Presenter

Audrey Bell-Kearney
President
Gwinnett Women’s Chamber

---

School Success & Children Primed for School

Improving Graduation Outcomes Through Community Collaboration

Explore poster presentations from Georgia Family Connection Collaboratives participating in GaFCP’s Community Partnership for Supporting Youth cohort designed to improve high school graduation rates. Presenters will share challenges faced and lessons learned over the past five years. Find out how partnerships between schools, community organizations, mentors, and local leaders can improve student engagement and graduation outcomes. Learn practical strategies for implementing after-school academic support and one-on-one mentoring programs that address student needs in critical subject areas. Gain insight into overcoming challenges, building sustainable support systems, and creating community-driven solutions that help students stay on track toward graduation and future success. Leave with ideas, strategies, and encouragement on how to strengthen partnerships and build effective student support initiatives within your own community.

---

Using School Climate Data to Drive Meaningful Change

A positive school climate is closely linked to student and teacher success, such as student attendance, achievement, and engagement, as well as teacher retention. Yet, many communities struggle to use data to drive meaningful change. Explore Georgia’s new school climate surveys and updated School Climate Star Rating system. Learn what’s new, how the data are structured, and how these updates are designed to make results easier to understand and use. Learn practical approaches for interpreting school climate data and how to partner with schools and districts to access and apply these data to support children, families, and educators. This session is ideal for those looking to better understand school climate data and strengthen collaboration to inform decision-making.

Presenters

Dr. Tammi Clarke
Research and Evaluation Specialist
Georgia Department of Education

Anne Ladd
Program Specialist
Georgia Department of Education

---

Keeping Students on Track: Preventing Discipline and Supporting Success

School Discipline and Preventative Measures is a practical, parent-focused training from Georgia Appleseed that helps families and advocates understand how school discipline works and how to keep students on track. Identify proactive strategies to prevent behavior escalation and reduce suspensions or expulsions. Learn how to demonstrate effective communication and advocacy skills to request appropriate supports and engage constructively with school staff. Review what to expect during discipline proceedings so that families feel prepared, informed, and confident in advocating for their child.

Presenter

Tanesse Brown
Program Manager
Georgia Appleseed

Jack Grote
Program Manager
Senior Staff Attorney

---

School Attendance Is Everyone’s Business: Building Cross-Sector Solutions

Schools across Georgia continue to grapple with student attendance and engagement, but these challenges are not just a school issue. They have real implications for families, communities, and the state’s future workforce. Drawing on insights from Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education’s CARES Impact Study, which examined how districts leveraged pandemic relief funds in response to COVID-related disruptions, this session will take a closer look at student attendance, what it reflects, how it’s shifted, and what’s emerging across Georgia in response. Get a clearer understanding of how student attendance impacts all sectors and better understand the value of protecting local leaders from burnout through cross-sector partnerships. Learn about recent state policy actions that position communities for success in the education and workforce development spaces—and identify opportunities to coordinate education and workforce efforts in your own community.

Presenters

Kathleen Da Silva
Director of Regional Engagement
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education

Matthew Smith
Director of Policy and Research
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education

---

Stable & Productive Families

Using ACEs Data to Inform Prevention and Improve Lifelong Outcomes

This workshop will provide an overview of the multiple ways to access Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) data. Learn how ACEs impact children’s health, development, and well-being, as well as the long-term effects these experiences can have on outcomes in adulthood. Examine common challenges communities face in preventing and addressing ACEs using data and evidence-informed approaches. Learn about key resources available through the Department of Public Health to support ACEs-related work, along with an overview of the PACE Grant that can be leveraged to strengthen prevention and resilience-building efforts across communities.

Presenter

Grace Morrow
PACE D2A Program Manager
Department of Public Health

---

Resources That Strengthen Stable and Self-Productive Families: Community Supports Across Georgia

This facilitated resource fair will highlight community partners and organizations dedicated to supporting stable and self-sufficient families across Georgia. Participants will engage with representatives from:

• GeorgiaCAN, an organization that empowers parents and guardians to effectively advocate for their students within the education system;
• Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, a key resource for all families with particular relevance for single-parent households;
• Georgia Parent Support Network, an organization that provides peer support, education, and resources that empower families to navigate mental health and behavioral health challenges while promoting family stability and resilience; and
• Interfaith Children’s Movement, an organization that resources and strategies that empower faith communities, families, and local partners to improve outcomes for children through advocacy, education, and collaborative action.

Attendees will leave with practical knowledge of available supports and opportunities to connect families to trusted resources.

Presenters

Anna Bourque
Georgia Parent Support Network
Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Cassandra Henderson
Executive Director
Interfaith Children’s Movement

Dr. Ty’Sheka Lambert
Community Engagement Organizer
GeorgiaCAN

Dr. Kinyatta Trice
Associate Director
Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network

---

Beyond Poverty Stereotypes: Creating Stronger Supports for Families

Families experiencing poverty often face barriers shaped by systems, policies, stereotypes, and bias—increasing stress and involvement with child welfare systems. We need to rethink how we support families and communities. Using real-life perspectives and practical strategies, participants will explore the root causes of poverty, the intersection of poverty and child welfare, and how shifting from “mandated reporter” to “mandated supporter” can help prevent crisis before it occurs. Leave with tools to normalize help-seeking, strengthen family voice, reduce barriers to support, and build more compassionate, family centered communities.

Presenter

Dr. Jyll Walsh
Assistant Director
Positive Childhood Alliance, Georgia State University

---

Data as A Public Good: Strengthening Family Outcomes Through Trusted Data Systems

This facilitated discussion will bring together members of the Georgia Childhood Essentials Data Working Group, representing trusted state and local data sources across Georgia. Panelists will examine the critical role of data as a public good and its importance in advancing self-sufficient, stable, and thriving families. The conversation will address how limited or restricted access to data can undermine program effectiveness, improved outcomes, and community-level decision-making. Panelists will also discuss current challenges within the federal data landscape and the implications for state and local work. The session will highlight reliable, community-informed data sources that are actively used to improve outcomes for children and families across Georgia.

Presenters

Audrey Idaikkadar
Director of Regional Programs
Resilient Georgia

Grace Morrow
Program Manager and Principal Investigator
Georgia Department of Public Health

Dr. Jyll Walsh
Assistant Director
Positive Childhood Alliance, Georgia State University

---

Thriving Communities

Investing in Education: Top 10 Issues to Watch in 2026

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education’s (GPEE) policy and regional engagement directors will facilitate discussion on how local leaders can build on existing community assets, forge cross-sector partnerships, and invest in local capacity. The session will address topics outlined in the 2026 Top Ten Issues to Watch, including early learning, career pathways, and teacher quality. Learn about recent state policy actions that position communities for success in the education and workforce development spaces. Understand the value of protecting local leaders from burnout through cross-sector partnerships. Identify key opportunities to coordinate education and workforce efforts in your own community.

Presenters

Kathleen Da Silva
Director of Regional Engagement
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education

Matthew Smith
Director of Policy and Research
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education

---

Building A Collective Impact to Better Georgia’s Communities

Resilient Georgia communities will share how they have worked together to support outcomes for families and children. Explore poster presentations that share key highlights, partners, strategies, data, and outcomes of work focused on mental health. Learn how cross-county partnerships among Georgia Family Connection coordinators and key stakeholders can expand impact, while still preserving the ability to make responsive, community-specific decisions. Gain insight into how trauma-informed approaches, poverty awareness, and resiliency-building practices can be implemented to strengthen children, families, and communities. Discover how targeted investments, such as support from Resilient Georgia, can be used to advance mental health initiatives and build stronger, more connected regional systems of care.

---

Healthy Nonprofits Who Contribute to Thriving Communities: What You Need to Know

Many nonprofits naturally focus most of their energy on advancing the organization’s program mission. While that mission is the heart of the organization, the business side of running a nonprofit is just as important. Financial reporting is often pushed to the back burner, but timely and accurate reporting helps leadership make informed decisions, maintain transparency, meet compliance requirements, and build trust with donors, grantors, board members, and other stakeholders. Learn best practices for financial reporting, the importance of internal controls in regard to fraud and risk, and challenges faced by nonprofit CEOs.

Presenter

Nadia Batey
CPA & Partner
James Moore & Company

---

Listening First: A Community-Led Approach to Resilience

Community resilience begins with listening, relationship-building, and understanding local strengths before implementing solutions. Using Lanier County Family Connection as a real-world case study, participants will walk through a community discovery process that brought together emergency management, public safety, nonprofits, and community partners to identify strengths, gaps, opportunities, and threats through a SWOT analysis. Collaborative coordinators from Brantley, Cook, and Brooks counties will also share their experiences related to disaster relief. Learn practical strategies for building hyperlocal partnerships, facilitating honest conversations, identifying anchor institutions and trusted leaders, and transitioning from discovery to locally owned action planning. Leave with adaptable tools and approaches to strengthen coordination, preparedness, and resilience within your own community.

Presenters

Dawn Deen
Executive Director
Brantley County Family Connection

Amy Griffin
Executive Director
Lanier County Family Connection

Jeremy McLendon
Deputy Regional Disaster Officer
American Red Cross

Zoe Myers
Executive Director
Cook County Family Connection

Jacqueline Shoemaker
Executive Director, South-Central Georgia Chapter
American Red Cross

Natalie Singletary
Coordinator
Brooks County Family Connection

Meet Our Keynote Speaker

Stephanie Stuckey

Chair, Stuckey’s

Stephanie Stuckey is the Chair of Stuckey’s, the roadside oasis famous for its pecan log rolls. The company was founded by Stephanie’s grandfather, W.S. Stuckey, Sr., as a pecan stand in Eastman, GA in 1937 and grew to over 350 stores across the country. The company was sold in 1964 but is now back in family hands and making a comeback. Stephanie took over the company in November of 2019 and, under her leadership, Stuckey’s has purchased a pecan-shelling and candy-manufacturing facility in Wrens, Ga., revamped its distribution operations based in Eastman, Ga., acquired a healthy pecan-snack company, rebranded its products and website, added four new franchised stores, expanded its B2B retail customer base, and increased online sales 550% — all while weathering the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stephanie received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia. She has worked as a trial lawyer, was elected to seven terms as a state representative, ran an environmental nonprofit law firm that settled the largest Clean Water Act case in Georgia history, served as Director of Sustainability and Resilience for the City of Atlanta, and taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law. Stephanie’s achievements include being named one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine, as well as graduating from Leadership Atlanta. A longstanding member of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, she is active in her community and serves on many nonprofit boards, including the Initiative for Affordable Housing, EarthShare of Georgia, and her local zoning review board.

---

Meet Our Plenary Panel

Elyse Davis

Statewide Director of Community/Regional Economic Development, Georgia Power

Elyse Davis leads the team that works with communities to prepare for job creators and existing business expansion opportunities. Elyse and her team work together with Georgia Power’s research, engineering, workforce development, and marketing teams to ensure Georgia businesses and communities have what they need to thrive. Before joining Georgia Power Community & Economic Development team in 2014 as the Northwest Georgia Regional Economic Development Manager, Elyse was the lead executive of community and economic development organizations in Georgia and North Carolina for over 25 years. During that time, she assisted community and economic development organizations, as well as public officials, in developing job growth strategies, locating new businesses, and building high-performance teams in volunteer boards and staff.

Elyse is a member of the Georgia Economic Developer’s Association, Southeastern Economic Development Council, and Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Elyse serves on the GMA Georgia Cities Foundation Board and chairs the Georgia Academy of Economic Development Board. She is a graduate of Leadership Georgia, Leadership North Carolina, and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. She was recently awarded the prestigious Georgia Economic Developers Association’s Rip Wiley Award for professional achievement.

---

Larry Hanson

CEO and Executive Director, Georgia Municipal Association

Founded in 1933, GMA represents all 536 Georgia cities through its advocacy, training, programs and services, and technical consulting services. Prior to his employment with GMA, Larry served as City Manager for the city of Valdosta for over 22 years. During this time, Valdosta was recognized with numerous state and national awards.

Larry served on the Valdosta State University Alumni Association Board, also serving as its President, and on the University’s Foundation Board. He is a graduate of Leadership Georgia and a charter member of Leadership Lowndes, serving twice as its president. Larry is a Past-President of the Georgia City-County Management Association. Larry also serves on the Board of Directors of the Share the Magic Foundation, which supports literacy and reading for children and youth, particularly in underserved populations. He has served on the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities (NLC), on its Executive Committee and presently serves on its Audit Committee. In addition, he served NLC as Chairman of the State Leagues Steering Committee, which serves all the nation’s 49 municipal leagues and associations. Larry also serves on the Board of Directors of the Fox Theatre.

Larry’s awards for leadership and public service include the 2003 Outstanding Public Official Award from Valdosta State University, the 2004 Carl Vinson Institute of Government/Georgia Trend Magazine Excellence in Public Service Award and the 2010 Georgia City-County Management Association Pillar of Professional Management Award for outstanding leadership and professional service to the local government profession. Georgia Trend Magazine has named him as one of Georgia’s Most Influential Citizens for 9 consecutive years and James Magazine has recognized him as one of the Most Influential Georgians for 6 consecutive years. In 2024, he was named by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Metro Atlanta’s Most Admired CEO’s.

---

Leslie Ellen Moore, Esq.

Senior Associate, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Leslie Moore is a senior associate with the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Policy Reform & Advocacy team. Based in Baltimore, the Foundation works to improve the futures of children and young people by strengthening families, communities and access to opportunity. Leslie develops and implements grantmaking strategies focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families. Her portfolio includes the KIDS COUNT and State Priorities Partnership networks, and she works with state-based organizations on policy research and analysis, organizational capacity, community engagement, and coalition building. During her tenure at the Foundation, Leslie also served as special assistant to former president and chief executive officer Patrick McCarthy.

Leslie began her career practicing law in Maryland before moving into public policy and government. She spent more than a decade in public-sector policy and legislative roles in New York, California and Maryland, including at New York City’s social services agency and Maryland’s Department of Human Resources. Leslie earned her J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law.

---

Panel Opening Speaker:

Dana Rickman

President, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education

Dana Rickman is the fourth president of the Georgia Partnership, having previously served in positions of vice president and research and policy director. She joined the organization in July 2011 after serving as the Director of Research and Policy at the Annie E. Casey Foundation – Atlanta Civic Site. She has also worked for more than 10 years at Georgia State University conducting research on education programs within Georgia. She holds a PhD from Georgia State University in Political Science and a BA from Mary Washington College. She has authored multiple articles in peer reviewed journals and book chapters related to education policy and for over ten years served as the primary author of the Georgia Partnership’s annual Top Ten Issues to Watch report.

---

Trailblazer

Amerigroup is the single care management organization (CMO) in charge of coordinating care for children in Foster Care, children receiving Adoption Assistance and select youth in the Juvenile Justice system.

 

The Annie E. Casey Foundation is a private philanthropy that creates a brighter future for the nation’s children and youth by developing solutions to strengthen families, build paths to economic opportunity, and transform struggling communities into safer and healthier places to live, work and grow.

---

Ignite

Greater Valdosta United Way works to create stronger communities where individuals and families have access to the resources, support, and opportunities they need to build a better future. We invest in solutions, create partnerships, mobilize volunteers, and address critical community needs to maximize our impact across South Georgia. By bringing nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, and individuals together, we turn collective generosity into meaningful action and lasting change.

Voices for Prevention is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides substance use prevention and suicide prevention advocacy via policy education, legislative updates, webinars, and prevention-related activities.

Unite Us is the technology infrastructure powering coordinated care networks across the country, connecting health and human service providers so communities can work together instead of as a patchwork of disconnected services. Our platform enables electronic referrals, closed-loop tracking, and shared outcomes data, giving providers real-time visibility into the care their clients receive across organizations. Optional predictive analytics take this further, helping communities anticipate needs, allocate resources effectively, and address social determinants of health before they become crises. As the connective infrastructure behind the Unite Georgia network, Unite Us empowers government agencies, healthcare organizations, and nonprofits to deliver better outcomes together.

Georgia Health Initiative is a private, non-profit foundation whose mission is to inspire and promote collective action that advances health equity for all Georgians.

At Farmers and Merchants Bank, we are proud of our rich banking heritage, and actively embrace the future with optimism. Our focus has always been on developing long-term strategies while remaining open to new opportunities that reflect our banking philosophy and those that address the needs of the communities we serve. We aim to transform each opportunity into meaningful changes that will strengthen and diversify our institution. Our management team is principally committed to ensuring that our bank adapts to the evolving needs of our customers. Despite advancements in both time and technology, our unwavering dedication to being “The Best of the Best” continues to guide our efforts.

---

By sponsoring this conference, you’re not just supporting an event—you’re investing in the relationships, strategies, and local leadership that drive long-term impact in all 159 counties. Your investment expands access, strengthens collaboration, and fuels innovative strategies that improve education, health, and family well-being across Georgia.

Sponsorship Levels

Visionary Sponsor — $25,000 (exclusive)
Pacesetter Sponsor — $10,000
Trailblazer Sponsor — $5,000
Ignite Sponsor — $1,000

Community Champion—A Direct Investment in Local Leadership and Impact

Sponsor a local coordinator, board member, or Collaborative partner to attend the conference so they can return with strategies that strengthen your community. Community Champions receive recognition at the conference and in the sponsored participant’s county.

Additional On-Site Opportunities

Support high-impact conference experiences, including keynote speakers, networking receptions, and meals. Opportunities are also available for branded materials, giveaways, and other custom sponsorships.

Download the Sponsorship Prospectus.

You’ll receive access to our discounted room rates and booking links when you register for the conference.

We’re offering several lodging options across Jekyll Island this year, allowing you to customize your conference experience—from full-service resorts to shared villas with colleagues.

---

Hampton Inn and Suites Jekyll Island

Located off South Beachview Drive, the Hampton Inn and Suites Jekyll Island is a short walk from the beach via a boardwalk through the maritime forest. Jekyll Island Convention Center and restaurants are within two miles, and Summer Waves Waterpark, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and Jekyll Island Golf Club are less than 10 minutes away. Enjoy the pool, whirlpool, and kids’ pool. Daily hot breakfast and WiFi are included.

Room Types Available in Block
Standard Double Queen
Double Queen Suite
King Suite

Price Range
$185 – $205 plus taxes and fees

---

Holiday Inn Resort Jekyll Island By IHG

A two-minute walk from the beach, the Jekyll Island Holiday Inn Resort features an outdoor pool with a sun terrace, and the fully equipped fitness center has an amazing ocean view. Modern-style rooms have an ocean view, free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, microwave, and refrigerator. Room extras include a coffee machine, small seating area, and an ensuite.

Enjoy daily all-day dining at the newly opened oceanfront restaurant 24 Coastal Grill, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. NorthShore Coffee serves Caribou Coffee each morning, and the balcony offers an ocean view. Guests can explore the area with Jekyll Island Fun Tours or visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, each less than a five-minute drive from the hotel, and the Jekyll Island Convention Center is less than 1.5 miles away.

Room Type Available in Block
Oversized Ocean View Room with Double Queen beds

Price
$172 plus taxes and fees

---

Home2 Suites by Hilton Jekyll Island

Located off Route 520, Home2 Suites by Hilton Jekyll Island is set in the Jekyll Island Beach Village and is within walking distance of the beach and the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Summer Waves Waterpark can be reached in five minutes, and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Jekyll Island Historic District are two miles away. Enjoy an in-suite kitchen, free breakfast, and free WiFi.

Room Type Available in Block
Double Queen Bed Studio

Price
$239 plus taxes and fees

---

Jekyll Island Club Resort

Jekyll Island Club Resort—the hallmark resort of Georgia’s famed Golden Isles—entrances today’s visitors with its Southern spirit and storied past. Three distinct resort experiences boasting a medley of timeless elegance and a barefoot beach lifestyle are complemented by enchanting and expansive grounds, six dining outposts, two pools, beach access, and the ultimate chance to disconnect. Here, guests are immersed in the island’s distinctive culture and the famed Club’s rich history shines.

Room Types Available in Block
Island Club Traditional Guestrooms
Island Club Deluxe Guestrooms
Island Club Cottage Guestrooms / Sans Souci

Price Range
$209 – $239 plus taxes and fees

---

Villas by the Sea Resort

Villas by the Sea Resort and Conference Center, located adjacent to Driftwood Beach, is where nature meets the sea. Affordable and comfortable, the resort hotel is ideal for solo travelers, couples, families, and meetings. Choose from a wide selection of room types, many with a full kitchen and separate bedrooms. The villas are spacious, comfortable, and unique. Amenities including bike rentals and a large outdoor pool await you. Nearby you will find miles of biking and nature trails, a water park, golf courses, and tours both land and water.

Room Types Available in Block
Mini Villa / Studio
One Bedroom Villa
Two Bedroom Villa
Three Bedroom Villa

Price Range
$139 – $259 plus taxes and fees

Improving outcomes for children and families doesn’t happen overnight. Help us build a Spotify playlist featuring songs that inspire you to keep going day by day to share with our colleagues and partners on the journey to Jekyll Island. We’ll keep updating it throughout the conference.

Add your song by submitting the song title and artist via email (Subject Line: Playlist) to Kelsey (Kelsey@gafcp.org) or on social media using the #LetsTalkGA hashtag.

This submission will score you 10 points in our scavenger hunt.

---

Share a video or picture that depicts how you are making meaningful change “Little By Little” in your community—and in one or two sentences tell us about your specific strategy and the indicator you’re focused on. Please submit only landscape (horizontal) videos.

Send your submission via email (Subject Line: Making Change) to Kelsey (Kelsey@gafcp.org) or share it on social media using the #LetsTalkGA hashtag.

Submissions will enter you into a drawing for a prize basket to be presented a the conference and score you points in our scavenger hunt.
Video = 50 points Photo = 30 points

---

New for 2026: The Conference Merch Store Is Open

What better way to show your Georgia Family Connection spirit than with some new merch? For the first time, we’re offering a Georgia Family Connection Conference 2026 Merch Store, where you can shop for apparel branded to Little by Little and Georgia Family Connection.

The Merch Store is separate from conference giveaways everyone will receive at the event. These items are available for you to purchase on your own. Order by Friday, Oct. 2, to have your merchandise in time for the conference.

There are two ways to get your merch:

• Have it delivered to your home or office—shipping charges apply; or
• choose the Jekyll Island pickup option at checkout, and your order will be waiting for you at the conference registration table.

This gives you an exciting new way to show your team spirit at our biennial North Georgia vs. South Georgia challenge held during Thursday evening’s networking reception. Wear these colors throughout the day on Thursday and add more spirited touches to your outfit before the reception where you can participate in our Most Spirited competition. Items may be stored in your car or in a bag labeled with your name at the reception desk.

---

Wellness Activities

Yoga on Thursday, Oct. 22

We invite you to jumpstart your day by focusing on your mind and body with morning yoga. Join yoga teacher and Wilkinson County Family Connection coordinator TaKarah DuPree for a gentle yoga session. No experience is required. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and bring your yoga mat. You may also bring yoga blocks if desired. Sound bowls will be incorporated to offer additional opportunities for relaxation and sensory engagement, helping make the experience welcoming and adaptable for participants of all physical abilities.

Zumba on Friday, Oct. 23

Love to dance, but not excited about working out? Love working out, but maybe you feel you have two left feet? Either way, Zumba is for you. Zumba combines dancing with core and full-body movement. With upbeat rhythms, some excited yelling, and the feeling of letting everything go just for a moment, Zumba invites you to move to the rhythm while sweating off the calories. No experience is required. Wear comfortable clothing and supportive sneakers. Bring a towel and water, and let’s have fun together.

Sylvana Barfield is the founder of Fit Bodies Nutrition and Fitness, LLC, established in 2016, and the principal trainer for Fit Bodies. Barfield is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, nutrition coach, and licensed Zumba instructor. Barfield has always had a passion for seeing people thrive, be healthy, happy, and whole, and she started out, and continues, training others in typical training modalities; however, since becoming licensed for Zumba in 2017, Zumba Fitness makes Barfield love what she does even more. To see people dancing and having a good time, while simultaneously working out, always makes Barfield remember the reason she got started in the fitness industry. Fit Bodies was founded with the belief that a healthy mind and strong body leads to a successful life. Whenever someone joins Barfield in class, that is one more step towards thriving. Barfield is excited to bring her passion for health and fitness to you, and can be found on TikTok (@ThatFitBodiesChick), Instagram (@fitbodiesnutritionandfitness), and Facebook (@fitbodiesnutritionandfitness).