Collaborative News

Family Connection Collaborative News Briefs

Irwin
Irwin County Family Connection is conducting a Community Needs Assessment to better understand the assets, needs and priorities of the community. The findings will be the foundation for a coordinated effort by the collaborative to help identify the strengths and needs of the counties children and families. As of Nov. 17, the collaborative had received 196 completed surveys. Preliminary results and subsequent updates can be viewed at http://www.irwin.k12.ga.us/familyconnection/survey.html.

Lanier
Pat Hand, county nurse manager of the Lanier County Health Department and collaborative chair of the Lanier Commission for Children, Youth and Families, recently received the Al Dohany Award for Community Service during the Georgia Public Health Association's Annual Conference and Meeting in Augusta. The annual award honors a health provider in the state who demonstrates extensive community involvement while working in public health. Among other achievements, Hand received the award for her participation in the Lanier County Health and Community Outreach Extravaganza and the county's annual "Back to School Immunization Party." Her community service efforts have helped contribute to Lanier County maintaining a 100 percent immunization rate over the past four years.

Paulding
The Paulding Collaborative for Children & Families recently held its 8th annual Celebration of a Caring Community Awards Luncheon. Laura Fleming, an early care and education consultant, served as the keynote speaker. The event featured a presentation of "Paulding Year in Review" and an awards ceremony. The collaborative also recently released its Paulding Community Resource Directory (2003/2004 Edition), which is the collaborative's eighth edition.

Randolph
Randolph County has been named a Certified Literate Community by the State of Georgia. The county received a resolution and two road signs that will be placed on Hwy. 82 and 27. The county received the honor for its READS (Reading Educates and Delivers Success) Initiative, which was formed in 2001 by the Randolph County Family Connection.