Get to know us

The Counties that Brightpaths Serves Parenting is hard! (And it’s always been hard.) We work to make parenting a less stressful ordeal for all of us: parents, kids, everyone. We offer parenting classes and resources on communication, healthy discipline, and a lot more to help parents and their kids feel closer and build healthier, stronger, and overall better relationships.

Brightpaths (formerly known as Prevent Child Abuse Athens) is a non-profit, community-based organization whose mission is to prevent all forms of child abuse and neglect in Athens and the surrounding area. We serve families in Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties.

Learn more about how we are strengthening families through our 2023 Impact Report and the State-wide and Regional 2020-2029 Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan.

Brightpaths has served the Athens area since 1986, beginning as an all-volunteer group emphasizing parenting classes and community education. In 1992 two part-time staff were hired — a Director and a First Steps Coordinator. The Healthy Families program began in 1995. Today, the organization includes a 15-member Board of Directors, 20 paid staff members, and many trained volunteers. Brightpaths serves over 5,000 individuals each year.

Brightpaths is funded by state and local grants, foundations, and individual and business donors. Primary supporters include the Department of Human Resources / Department of Family and Children Services, The Department of Public Health, the United Way of Northeast Georgia, the UGA Kappa Delta Sorority, the Turner Family Foundation and the Jackson EMC Foundation.

Brightpaths relies on donations from individuals and businesses in our 7-county area. Donations are tax-deductible and are always welcomed!