Georgia Family Connection is a statewide initiative that cultivates public and private collaboration at the local level.
Located in all 159 counties, Georgia Family Connection is the largest statewide network of its kind in the nation. Collaborative organizations are committed to our mission of improving conditions for at-risk children, families, and communities. They work closely with communities to:
•foster relationships with local partners,
•increase policymakers’ awareness of local issues,
•implement proven prog
rams and practices, and
•leverage additional funding to support community plans. Each collaborative organization brings together—at the same table—the social worker, the nurse, the sheriff, the teacher, the minister, the business person, the public servant, and parents, then let them figure out the best way to help their kids thrive. We discuss our visions for our communities, assess the needs in our counties, then decide how our organizations can best work together to meet those needs. Together we set an agenda that establishes our priorities and allocates resources to achieve results for families and children. We measure results for our work by tracking locally selected indicators of child well-being using Georgia KIDS COUNT data. KIDS COUNT is a state and national effort funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to track the status of children. We believe that local decision-making—grounded in reliable data and best practices—will drive the change we want to see in our communities. Georgia Family Connection, created by the state and private funders in response to Georgia ranking 50th in the nation in child well-being in the 1991 KIDS COUNT report, develops initiatives to combat child abuse and neglect, teen pregnancy, multiple teen births, and truancy. We also work to keep children and youth in school, and support them in graduating on time. We believe that empowering ourselves with data, sharing information, and combining our efforts with other counties will strengthen the state as a whole over time. While Family Connection is dedicated to working at the local level to build stronger communities, Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) is committed to working at the state level to provide support, data, and best practices to the county collaborative organizations and state partners to improve outcomes for children and families. GaFCP, a public-private nonprofit created and funded by the State of Georgia and private foundations, also manages Georgia KIDS COUNT. We want our kids to be healthy, ready to start school and do well when they get there, we want our families to be stable and self-sufficient, and we want them to live in strong communities. We’ve been making that happen for more than 20 years.
05/19/2026
Thomaston-Upson County Schools invites you to join us as we honor the careers and service of Dr. Larry Derico and Dr. Amy Miller at a special Retirement Reception. Please stop by on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the Upson-Lee Fine Arts Center as we celebrate their dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on our students, staff, schools, and community.
We are grateful for the many years Dr. Derico and Dr. Miller have devoted to public education and to the Thomaston-Upson County School System. We hope you will join us in wishing them the very best in retirement!
05/14/2026
05/01/2026
Local Literacy Programs Receive $20K Grant
More children in Upson County will have a chance to gain books and a love for reading thanks to literacy programs of The Book Bug and Thomaston-Upson Literacy Alliance, as
04/03/2026
📝 NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 PATHWAYS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM!
If you're a college student looking for hands-on experience in local government...this is your moment.
The City of Thomaston is not offering coffee runs.
We're offering real projects, real impact, real growth.
In just a few weeks, you could be:
-Supporting community events that serve thousands
-Sitting in leadership meetings and contributing your voice
-Leading a team of interns on a city-wide engagement initiative
-Learning how local government actually works from the inside out
We've had interns from Georgia State, UGA, Mercer, Savannah State, and more.
Will your school be next?
Apply. Apply. Apply.
Be bold enough to bet on your future.
Tag a student. Share the opportunity.
Let’s build the next generation of local leaders.
03/05/2026
Free Food Resources!
03/05/2026
🎓 ULHS Senior College Fair – On-Site Acceptances! Please Share!
Seniors who are still deciding on their next step after high school — this event is for you! Join us for a special Senior College Fair where you can meet with college representatives and even receive acceptance on the spot.
📅 April 3, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Upson-Lee High School Media Center
This is a great opportunity to ask questions, explore college options, and possibly walk away accepted the same day!
📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up and reserve your spot.
Parents are encouraged to remind their seniors to take advantage of this opportunity!
05/19/2026
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03/05/2026