(SAVANNAH, Ga.) Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition (CGIC), has built the largest storehouse of public health data in the Savannah area over the past decade and has also served as the Chatham Family Connection Collaborative. As the Coalition is observing the 10th anniversary of its incorporation and has recently welcomed a new executive director, its partners reflect on how the organization has changed the landscape of public health and elevated the quality of life for untold numbers of coastal area residents.
“The City of Savannah benefitted from the work of Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition when the agency served as the community outreach partner for our 2021-2022 Georgia Smart Communities project,” said Taffanye Young, the City’s chief Community Services officer. “CGIC worked closely with City staff and Georgia Tech researchers to develop a community survey and outreach strategy to identify community perceptions among residents, in an equitable and inclusive manner. Surveyors trained in socially aware community outreach gave voice to residents, empowered historically marginalized communities, and validated community priorities for improving the lives of citizens.”
Among its hallmarks are a massive databank of resources and key partnerships, both of which enable the Coalition to provide a framework and sustenance for equity initiatives that elevate the health and welfare of citizens who may never know how or why their situations were improved.
CGIC currently:
- Maintains a database with 265 searchable indicators that includes Chatham, Bryan and Effingham counties in the areas of economy, education, health and quality of life that measures the community’s well-being including comparison data against state averages, county values, and 2030 target goals.
- Hosts bimonthly meetings inviting 300 partners to learn from featured speakers on significant issues facing our community and updates on the Chatham Community Blueprint; reporting ongoing progress to the community, including challenges and accomplishments, implementation and evaluation, community vitality, status of volunteer leadership and upcoming funding opportunities.
- Maintains the only regional resource allowing individuals and organizations to locate best practice models and grant opportunities to help the Savannah Chatham and our regional communities build healthier places to live, work and play.
- Works with public and private organizations to advance the Goals and Strategies of the Chatham Community Blueprint.
- Serves organizations with project planning and implementation, meeting facilitation and building collaborative partnerships.
Also, as the coastal region’s arm of the Georgia Family Connection [https://gafcp.org], the only statewide network in the country dedicated to the health and well-being of families and communities, CGIC serves as the Chatham Family Connection Collaborative, empowering Chatham, Bryan and Effingham counties to craft local solutions based on local decisions.
“On behalf of Gateway Community Service, I am pleased to share how profoundly our organization has benefited from the exceptional work of the Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition,” said Phylicia Anderson, LCSW, director of Child & Adolescent Programs, Gateway Community Service Board. “CGIC has been a key partner, providing invaluable support through funding for critical trainings such as Mindful Self-Compassion and the Community Resiliency Model. These trainings have significantly enhanced our ability to serve our community effectively.”
As the Coalition enters its second decade of service, it will continue to serve the coastal region as a collaboration of resource agencies addressing overall health and well-being.
But it is also welcoming a new executive director. In November, the Coalition announced the appointment of Kim Clifton to succeed Lizann Roberts, who retired in December after seven years at the organization’s helm.
“I am overwhelmed by the deep impact CGIC continues to have in the greater Savannah community, and I am excited and honored to be a part of this meaningful work going forward,” said Clifton.
CGIC was incorporated as a stand-alone non-profit entity in 2014 after being invited to submit a proposal to the Chatham County Board of Commissioners to create a community-wide, long-range strategic plan using data and community input.
However, its history stretches back well before that time. The coalition began coming together in 2008, out of a growing awareness of the need to integrate community indicators and performance measurement efforts at the community level. A handful of partner organizations representing government, non-profit, public education, post-secondary education, hospitals and other collaborative groups recognized a need to better assess the position and progress of the community’s well-being and to better engage citizens and other key stakeholders in the development and use of community indicators and performance measures by governmental and non-profit organizations.
The Youth Futures Authority (YFA) laid much groundwork leading to the formation of the Coalition. Founded in 1987 by Roberts’ mentor, former Mayor Dr. Otis Johnson, YFA was the first fiscal agent representing Chatham County in the Georgia Family Connection Partnership, now represented by CGIC.
The Georgia Family Connection Partnership is the only statewide network of its kind in the country, promoting the use of collaborative development and family engagement to effect positive impacts on the condition of children and families across Georgia’s counties.
“I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition for continuing the work we started in Chatham and expanding it to surrounding counties,” said Johnson. “Through the Chatham Family Connection Collaborative as part of the Georgia Family Connection network, the Coalition is networked with more than 3,000 local- and state-level partners in all 159 counties working toward measurably better outcomes for all our children, families, and communities.”
ABOUT COASTAL GEORGIA INDICATORS COALITION
The Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition (CGIC) is comprised of community members and advocates working together through a comprehensive coordinated approach for planning accountability. Also serving as the Chatham Family Connection Collaborative, the Coalition serves as a collaboration of resource agencies addressing overall health and well-being while leveraging resource initiatives. The purpose of the Coalition is to improve community well-being by engaging and leading the community to work collectively in its development of strategic priorities that guide policy, programs and resource allocation. CGIC is the responsible organization for the development, and with partners, the implementation of the Chatham Community Blueprint. CGIC has strength and capacity related to leadership, management, systems and partnerships.
https://www.coastalgaindicators.org
MEDIA CONTACT
Marjorie Young
Carriage Trade Public Relations® Inc.
912-844-9990
marjorie@carriagetradepr.com