Georgia Family Connection

Let’s help kids eat, learn, and stay safe this summer. Send parents and caregivers in your community to GeorgiaSummer.org, where they can access a variety of helpful resources—all in one place. http://bit.ly/2HuUodY

U.S. Surgeon General released a toolkit on the harms of excessive screen use. The negative impacts of screen time can be summarized in four key domains of child and adolescent well-being: cognitive and emotional development, physical and metabolic health, educational outcomes, and mental health and substance use. Reducing the negative impacts of harmful screen use requires acting with urgency and empowering caregivers and communities by providing them with evidence-based tools and strategies. Learn more: https://t.co/XKa2quZBgo

Family Connection/Communities In Schools of Berrien County is helping families thrive by creating fun, hands-on experiences that empower kids to build healthy habits. Families recently enjoyed a craft and delicious peach dessert along with a scavenger hunt through the local Farmers Market. Each family went home with a fresh bag of peaches, a plant, and a new book all about peaches.

Today is Older Adults Mental Health Awareness Day. SAMHSA shares how to support mental health of older adults including help with grieving, paying for treatment, getting to appointments, and more: samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-cope/older-adults

In Lumpkin County, literacy is a shared community priority. What began as an effort led by the Lumpkin County School System has grown into a coordinated, countywide movement uniting schools, families, and community partners around a common goal: ensuring every child becomes a confident reader. This work is driven through One Lumpkin Reads, a partnership that includes Lumpkin Family Connection. https://bit.ly/4d0jDlW

We’re committed to meeting the needs of our neighbors and ensuring children and families stay safe and connected to helpful information and resources as wildfires continue to impact southeast Georgia.

-Visit Georgia Department of Public Health to learn about precautions Georgians can take as smoke is affecting air quality well beyond the immediate fire area.
-Visit the Georgia Forestry Commission at gatrees.org to access statewide wildfire resources, georgiafc.firesponse.com/public for current wildfire conditions, and Highway 82 Fire Information to get the latest updates on the Hwy. 82 fire.
-Download the Watch Duty app for real-time wildfire tracking and alerts.
-Call Georgia Land Management at 229-560-3886 for free assistance with clearing trees and bushes and firebreaks to help save homes.

Reaching Teens, a four-session virtual training provided by Wellroot Family Services, equips adults to better support and serve adolescents in ways that build relationships where teens feel safe, capable, and connected. Spring and summer 2026 virtual Reaching Teens trainings are now available. Learn more and register now: https://bit.ly/4n5gFS6

Volunteers and local organizations in Brantley County have turned a Main Street parking lot into a lifeline for people who have lost nearly everything. The donation center at 10305 North Main Street in Nahunta — organized by Brantley County Family Connection and UGA Extension — is open to anyone displaced by the fire. Between 40 and 60 volunteers have shown up each day to sort donations and help neighbors walk out with what they need. Get the full story: https://gafcp.org/2026/04/27/brantley-county-showing-up-for-neighbors/

From Georgia Department of Public Health: Shifting winds are pushing smoke from wildfires burning in South Georgia into many parts of the state, including the metro Atlanta area. DPH is urging Georgians to take precautions as smoke from wildfires is affecting air quality well beyond the immediate fire area.
dph.georgia.gov/press-releases

focuses on educating communities, supporting families, and highlighting that alcoholism is a treatable health issue. Get the latest research and resources to support underage drinking prevention and related issues from SAMHSA: samhsa.gov/substance-use/prevention/campaigns-events