A new substance misuse prevention initiative is expanding into Northwest Georgia, and organizers are seeking local partners in Chattooga and Walker counties.
Families across Chattooga County are invited to attend an upcoming Special Needs Support Group meeting later this month.
The Speak Life Chattooga County Special Needs Family Support Group will meet on Saturday, April 25 at 11 a.m. at DIRT Pour Coffee and Café in Summerville.
Organizers say the event will feature guest speaker Judge Gary Woods, who will discuss important topics including guardianship and wills. In addition, parents and caregivers are expected to share personal experiences and advice, particularly focusing on the transition period after high school, including ages 18 to 22.
The meeting is open to all families, caregivers, and individuals with special needs of all ages. Organizers emphasize that the event is free, requires no registration, and is open to those both inside and outside of Chattooga County.
Attendees are encouraged to come for support, information, and fellowship, as well as to connect with others in the community.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Chattooga County will recognize the occasion with its Annual Pinwheel Ceremony today, Tuesday, March 31. Chattooga DFCS and Chattooga Family Connection will host the ceremony at 11 a.m. at Dowdy Park as part of local efforts to raise awareness and show support for children and families.
Families and individuals in Chattooga County affected by special needs have a place to gather, connect, and encourage one another through Speak Life, a local support group led by parents of a child with special needs.
Happening today, the City of Summerville will hold a public listening session to gather community input on ideas and services that can better support youth with special needs and their families.
The meeting is set for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. at The Depot on East Washington Street.
City officials say the goal is to hear directly from residents about the needs, resources, and programs that could make a difference for local families.
The public is encouraged to attend and share input.
The City of Summerville will hold a public listening session to gather community input on ideas and services that can better support youth with special needs and their families.
The meeting is set for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at The Depot on East Washington Street. City officials say the goal is to hear directly from residents about needs, resources, and programs that could make a difference for local families.
The public is encouraged to attend and share input.
“There’s Hope for the Hungry” is scheduled for today, February 18th, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at South Summerville Baptist Church, located at 440 Highway 48 in Summerville. Organizers say no identification is required to receive assistance. The event is part of an ongoing effort to provide food support and encouragement to individuals and families facing food insecurity in Chattooga County.
Georgia lawmakers are confronting a growing child welfare crisis: children with serious mental and behavioral health needs being left behind at emergency rooms and psychiatric facilities because families say they have run out of options.
In Chattooga County, the role of “grandparent” is increasingly becoming something much bigger than weekend visits and holiday gatherings. Current figures show that about 1 in every 70 people in Chattooga County is a grandparent who is caring for grandchildren, and the number of grandparents raising children has seen a 34% increase in recent years. The growing trend is reshaping family life across the county and creating new financial, social, and community needs.