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Neighborhood Leaders report: SNAP enrollments, food distribution and school partnerships among highlights
Summary
Family Connection Communities and Schools (FCCIS) presented progress from the Neighborhood Leaders program, reporting large SNAP and food distribution impacts, expanded site coordinators in schools, and increased collaboration with commissioners and community partners.
Erin Thompson Putman, executive director of Family Connection Communities and Schools (FCCIS), presented the Neighborhood Leaders annual performance report on March 11, summarizing FY 25 accomplishments, partnerships and data collection improvements.
Putman said neighborhood leaders acted as resource brokers and trusted connectors in their communities, helping residents access SNAP, Medicaid, WIC and other benefits. She summarized a conservative estimate that neighborhood leaders helped secure about $9 million in SNAP benefits and distributed an estimated $1 million in food and donated goods last year. The program also runs site coordinators in schools and has expanded from two to 10 coordinators across eight schools, Putman said.
FCCIS reported that a resident satisfaction survey and a public dashboard (hosted by HCD) are improving transparency and performance tracking. Putman highlighted stories of neighborhood leaders mobilizing quickly with school staff and commissioners to address community concerns and supports, and she said a workforce partnership with Athens Achieve will help neighborhood leaders refer residents to a developing job portal.
Commissioners praised the program's on‑the‑ground impact and asked for continued emphasis on data, dashboards and sustainability. Putman said FCCIS seeks diversified funding, planning an annual appeal and exploring foundation grants, while recognizing that rural/hyperlocal nonprofits often face challenges raising unrestricted funds. FCCIS asked the commission to consider recommended flat funding and said it will submit contract amendments if the program's scope changes.
