Our History

• 1984 - Began when a group of Gordon County citizens met to discuss their concerns about the maltreatment of children in the community.
• 1986 - Became a chartered council of the Prevent Child Abuse Georgia 
• 1986 - Started the First Steps program at Gordon Hospital with volunteers
• 1990 - Hired first paid staff
• 1991 - Began the parenting program (formerly Nurturing Parents)
• 1995 - After "residing" at several different locations in Calhoun, a small house on College street was purchased and the agency moved there
• 2001 - Began Healthy Families home-visitation program
• 2004 - Moved into larger building at 411 Edmond Street to accommodate program growth
• 2004 - Began Supervised Visitation Center (closed 2015)
• 2005 - Began GrandFamilies relative caregiver program (now Family Ties)
• 2010 - Began Parents as Teachers home-visitation program
• 2010 - Began StepUp father's parenting class
• 2014 - Began the Gordon County Child Advocacy Center
• 2016 - Began therapy services for children exposed to childhood trauma
• 2017 - Began therapy services for adult survivors of childhood abuse and trauma
• 2018 - Moved agency to 320 N. River St.
• 2018 - Reopened Supervised Visitation Center
  

​Our Purpose
Initiate...To create awareness within the community by dispersing information and materials about child development, child abuse and neglect, parent education, and other relevant topics, and to be the driving force behind the prevention effort in our county.
Implement...To provide programs that teach parents and caregivers more effective skills. To support families with programs that include everyone from infant to adult, both married and single parents.
Opportunity...For those who wish to serve as a volunteer to express their love and concern for the well-being of children. 

Our Beliefs
Children should be safe with their caregivers.
Children should have self-esteems, self-worth, and self-respect.
Caring people can make a difference in the life and future of a child.
Education can improve parenting skills and reduce child abuse.
Communities can make a difference in the lives of children and families.