Horizons Community Solutions has received one of eleven statewide Community Health Partnership grants for phase two of the Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s Two Georgias Initiative. As the lead organization, Horizons will be responsible for providing technical and capacity building assistance and evaluation for the Early County community health coalition, Early Cares-A Partnership for Better Living.

“The first year of the initiative was dedicated to planning and organizing,” said Kimberly Scott, vice president of Community Health at Horizons. “The Early Cares partnership completed a thorough community health assessment and drafted a community health improvement plan. With the new award, we are excited to move plans into action,” Scott added.

Early County Family Connection will continue to serve as Horizon’s primary partner responsible for partnership development and coalition building. “Early County Family Connection has worked with Horizons and other local partners on programs to reduce health disparities for many years,” said Early County Family Connection Executive Director Gwen Houston. “The Early Cares partnership is a natural evolution of our collaboration, focusing on health policies, healthcare access, and the underlying causes of health inequities. We look forward to working with all of our community partners to move this initiative forward,” she continued.

Houston said the Early Cares partnership will use the $100,000 grant to improve youth initiatives and increase access to safe, affordable housing, health care, and preventive health services.

Horizon’s CEO Cynthia George said the spirit of the Early Cares partnership aligns with the core mission of Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s The Two Georgias Initiative. “The initiative seeks to build local partnerships committed to fostering innovative solutions to the critical challenges impacting the health of rural communities. Early Cares has positioned itself well to accomplish our mutual goals,” said George.

"No one should be denied access to quality healthcare because of their zip code or place of residence," said Healthcare Georgia Foundation President Gary D. Nelson, PhD. He added that the grantees are in the best position to craft sustainable solutions to eliminate health disparities and promote economic development in their communities.