Jackson County Family Connection is a collaborative organization that links businesses, agencies, and citizens together for the betterment of children and families in Jackson County.
What is Family Connection?
Family Connection is the largest statewide network of communities in the United States. Each of the 159 counties in the state of Georgia are a part of the network and have made a commitment to improve results for families and children.
Jackson County Family Connection is a community based partnership of public and private leaders, agencies and organizations, businesses, local government, the faith community, families, and youth. The partnership provides as opportunity for organizations to work together to improve the lives of citizens in Jackson County through collaboration.
Jackson County Family Connection is not a service provider; rather, it is a formal process of collaboration, promoting results-focused planning and local decision making.
The collaborative has created a strategic annual operating plan to guide its efforts to improve conditions for Jackson County families. Embedded in this plan are goals to ensure that all children are healthy, start school ready to learn, succeed in school, and have strong, self sufficient families. The work of the collaborative is based on a framework of accountability which calls for reforms to be made in the way that we support families, the way decisions are made, and the way that we address financing and budgeting.
Jackson County Family Connection is a private 501(c)3 organization run by a volunteer board of directors that employ an Executive Director.
Purpose
Our purpose is to facilitate collaboration among community members (families, public and private human service agencies, businesses, faith community, schools, civic organizations, and government) by assessing community resources and needs. Developing plans to build on strengths and addressing needs, working together to implement their plans and assessing the effectiveness of that work.
Goals
All children and adults will succeed in education and all families of Jackson County will maintain or increase self sufficiency.
Motivation
The partners of the collaborative believe that problems in our society do not exist in isolation. Thus, these problems cannot be solved by agencies and organizations working in isolation. We believe that collaboration strengthens each partner’s work, whether that work occurs within an organization, a neighborhood, or an individual family. We believe that decisions about a community’s future must be made by that community. We believe that families must be supported in a way that is respectful, accessible, and focused on that family’s strengths. We believe that an environment of shared resources and shared accountability is necessary to improving results. We believe in a better future for our community.
Our Staff
Executive Director
Aaryn Fisher
Meet Aaryn Fisher:
Aaryn has dedicated over 18 years to education and public service, with a career rooted in supporting at-risk youth and underserved communities. She began her journey working with foster youth and has since taught across early childhood, primary, and secondary education. Throughout her career, Aaryn has held a range of leadership roles, including Math Department Chair, Special Education Coordinator, Community Liaison, Dean of Students, and Site Administrator of Operations.
Most recently, Aaryn served as the Director of Jackson County Head Start, where she strengthened partnerships with local agencies, connected families with essential resources, and supported those facing the challenges of poverty. Her responsibilities also included securing funding, managing budgets, and overseeing financial reporting and compliance.
A longtime advocate for crisis intervention and mental health awareness, Aaryn is especially passionate about supporting individuals with autism and raising awareness within families and communities. Her commitment to equity and access drives her continued work in community engagement and education.
Aaryn holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, a master’s in Education from Pepperdine University, and a master’s in Educational Administration from California State University, Northridge. She also holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an Administrative Services Credential.
Outside of work, Aaryn enjoys volunteering in Children’s Ministry and going on adventures with her husband, two children, and their dog.
As Executive Director of Jackson County Family Connection, Aaryn looks forward to partnering with community organizations to expand access to resources and uplift the region’s most vulnerable populations.
