A new online tool can direct Fulton County families to free or low-cost services, from housing assistance to food pantries.
Fulton County Schools recently launched Connect Fulton, a website that allows users to search by ZIP code for assistance with finding a job, procuring diapers and handling legal issues. The site contains information on thousands of nonprofits and other organizations that provide resources and social supports.
The district worked with the Texas-based online platform FindHelp.org to customize the site for Fulton County. The school system spent $24,000 in federal pandemic relief dollars on the project.
Chelsea Montgomery, executive director of the office of student supports, said it’s challenging for school employees and social workers to keep track of all available resources in their communities. Sometimes, they end up referring parents to the same handful of agencies over and over.
She said the website provides a way to find help based on location, hours of operation and other personalized search filters. It also allows families to seek help discreetly since it doesn’t require them to explain their situation to someone.
The site is available for anyone who lives and works in Fulton County to use.
Schools often serve as a first stop for families in need, and they’ve have fielded more requests for help since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Montgomery said.
“I think what we’ve really seen is an increase in the number of needs, the level of needs and how widespread they are,” she said.
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