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Local Family Connection group outlines childhood supports, reports 619 backpacks distributed in 2024
Summary
A Family Connection representative described the county chapter's statewide network, monthly meetings, and recent programs — including a back-to-school rally that supplied 619 backpacks — during the Madison County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 30.
A representative of Madison County Family Connection told the Madison County Board of Commissioners on June 30 that the local collaborative coordinates monthly meetings and community programs aimed at improving outcomes for children, youth and families.
The group, the speaker said, is part of a statewide Family Connection network created in 1991 and led locally by an elected board. Locally the collaborative averages roughly 37 attendees at monthly meetings and draws partners from the school district, the library, churches and domestic-violence services to run training, outreach and annual events.
Family Connection highlighted three recurring initiatives: preventing and mitigating adverse childhood experiences (ACEs); supporting positive youth behavior and parenting education; and addressing substance misuse. The program list includes a long-running back-to-school rally and a resource-focused "team block party." The presenter said the 2024 back-to-school rally provided backpacks and supplies to 619 low-income students from pre-K through 12th grade, and the block party drew about 180 high-school students.
The collaborative also described smaller, targeted efforts: trauma-awareness trainings for school staff and community members, a Narcan training and distribution in partnership with the Northeast Georgia Public Health District, and a mental-health wraparound approach that included providing handmade comfort blankets and trauma kits to school counselors. The speaker credited funding or in-kind support from partners such as the Athens Community Foundation and local churches for those materials and events.
The presenter urged county officials and staff to share the Family Connection contact information with residents who ask about local child- and family-support resources and invited commissioners to attend monthly meetings or join an action team.
Commissioners thanked the representative for the overview and said the outreach materials would be useful when county staff receive referrals or requests for help.
