Family Connection Excited For First Steps Program

Family Connection of Stephens County Executive Director Allyson Warren said the organization is excited about a new program it will be offering with a state grant.

This week, the organization announced that it had received a state grant to provide the First Steps Georgia program in Stephens County.

Only 19 agencies in Georgia received the grant.

First Steps Georgia is a universal support service for expectant mothers and mothers of children ages birth to five.

Topics covered with the family through this program include maternal health, newborn and child health, home and child safety, community and family safety, school readiness, and family economics and self-sufficiency.

Warren said it fits right in with the organization’s goals.

“One of our main objectives is to make sure children are ready to start school, so we focus on our 0 to age 5 population,” said Warren.

In Stephens County, the free program will be offered through a partnership with the New Impressions Maternal Unit at Stephens County Hospital.

Also, information will be available on the program at local pediatricians’ offices and the health department since it is available for any mother with a birth to age five child.

Warren said that Family Connection of Stephens County hopes to get the program started in the next few weeks.

“I would imagine, probably in early to mid November, we will be meeting with moms,” said Warren.

This program is funded through the Office of Prevention and Family Support, which is a part of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.