Highlights
- Georgia THRIVe welcomes Family Connection – Communities In Schools of Athens as the first
infant-toddler court program in the state. - Mayor Kelly Girtz cites Neighborhood Leaders in public safety press conference: “Public safety doesn’t rest with policing alone. Public safety involves fair and quality housing, it involves good work with youth, it involves community outreach, and so many provisions that just give people a good solid platform for which to exist,” said Girtz. https://www.accgov.com/
civicalerts.aspx?AID=5998 - Draft FY 2025 Athens Community Plan for Children submitted.
- Athens CEO video, Tim in the news https://athensceo.com/
video/2024/02/tim-johnson-fc- cis-athens-helping-students- athens/ - Terris in the news https://news.uga.edu/
terris-thomas-helps-build- better-neighborhoods/.
Neighborhood Leaders
In partnership with the Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commission, Neighborhood Leaders work with low income families in each of 16 Zones throughout the community to connect with needed resources to achieve their aspirations, and to engage in community activity. Neighborhood Leaders also help inform policy-makers in addressing barriers to success.
Site Coordinators
Communities In Schools site coordinators serve in school, building relationships with students to address challenges outside the classroom that impact their success in the classroom. Utilizing a research-proven model, they collaborate with parents, educators, community-based organizations, school and district leaders, volunteers, and the students themselves to help our students overcome obstacles and succeed in school and in life. We currently have site coordinators in Gaines Elementary School and Holston Elementary School. More than 90% of the students served by our site coordinators meet or exceed goals in academics, attendance, and behavior.
Collaboration
Designated by the state and local governments as the official coordinating body for services for children
and families, FC-CIS facilitates collaboration among 100+ nonprofit, community, education, government, and health organizations. Through three decades, through this process we and our partners have created/brought to Athens more than 60 programs and services, with significant improvement in the lives of children, youth, and families.
Recent News
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Testimonials
“Our goal is to help each student get to graduation. We look through their grades as well as behavior and attendance reports, and ask, ‘What could keep this student from graduating?’ “
Site Coordinator, Cedar Shoals High School
“Athens-Clarke County has a wealth of resources and support available for the community that Family Connection-Communities in Schools works diligently to make accessible to those needing assistance.”
FC-CIS Board President
“When it comes to being a Neighborhood Leader, I’m just a parent. I’m not working with the school system in any way. I’m not working with DFACS. I lend an ear and connect families with the resources they need.”
Neighborhood Leader
“Family Connection is the official planning body for Clarke County, and Early Head Start works with them to identify needs in the community. We have very high poverty among children under the age of five.”
Early Head Start Coordinator
Our Impact
Watch VideosFamily Connection – Communities In Schools of Athens supports Neighborhood Leaders and Site Coordinators who work one-on-one with students and their families in neighborhoods and schools. We also facilitate collaboration among government officials, local and state experts, entrepreneurs, executives, nonprofit directors, and others to identify the social, emotional, and academic needs of children in Athens-Clarke County, and ensure they get the support they need to graduate from high school.
The Challenges
ACC has the highest poverty rate of any metropolitan county in the US, which means many children may not enjoy the stability of full-time residence; have adequate sleep, food to eat, or clothes to wear.
They may also be impacted by parents who are distracted due to worry over shelter, bills, conflicts or varied work schedules.
These “adult” issues can have a profoundly negative impact on a child’s development.
HOW WE HELPMake A Donation
When it comes to serving communities, FC-CIS does not just operate from an office. We are in the field, interacting with kids, students and families, building vital relationships and serving their needs on a day-to-day basis.
Sometimes, all it takes is that one person who steps up and says, “I hear you. I see you. I can help you.”
Join us in making a difference!
Donate Now