Houston County has a new wellness check program that prompts the 911 center to take action 

HOUSTON COUNTY — Houston County is getting an update to its wellness check system that will make it easier for vulnerable residents to get the help they need, even when they can’t make a call for help. 

Wellness checks add another layer of safety for people who are either elderly, live alone, or have medical concerns. That’s why the Houston County 911 Center is taking a proactive approach with a welfare check system available for all county residents.  

Their system contacts individuals signed up for the program at a scheduled time. If there is no response, law enforcement checks on them. Anyone can sign up at no cost for the newly integrated system. 

In June, the 911 Center averaged 11 welfare checks per day. 

Not every 911 center has this system in place. Houston County 911 Center Director Captain Veronica Edens said in an interview that it is an additional service the 911 Center has chosen to provide. 

“We knew we wanted to find another option so we could continue providing this service,” Edens said. “We wanted something that would allow us to continue what we were already doing but with updated technology that can be maintained and supported going forward.” 

Edens believes that Houston County 911 offers more than just answering calls in times of crisis. 

A person falling and not able to reach a phone could lead to law enforcement providing the help they need. Edens said that is the sole purpose of the program. 

“911 is traditionally reactive. Most of the time, someone calls us because something has already happened,” she said. “A program like [this] gives us an opportunity to be proactive and check on some of our more vulnerable citizens when something just doesn’t seem right.”

At the July 7, 2026, Houston County Commissioners meeting, the board approved a one-year service agreement with ConfirmOK as the 911 center’s new system, replacing the old software. 

Edens said the old system was great but becoming outdated. She said it would freeze, forcing 911 center staff to call for wellness checks manually.  

The new system, ConfirmOK, is based out of Carlsbad, California, and is more modern and cloud-based. 

“ConfirmOK gives us a more reliable system with better tools for managing the program,” she said. “[The software] can make multiple attempts to reach a participant before an alert is generated. It provides better notification, documentation, and reporting capabilities.” 

Other programs such as Snug Safety have a payment element. According to their website, individuals can either sign up for the yearly package at $16.67 a month for up to three daily check-ins. People can also pay for ConfirmOK directly on the software’s website, but residents should not worry about paying at all due to their partnership with Houston County’s 911 Center.  

Families of Houston County residents who can benefit from a daily wellness check-in should call the Houston County 911 Center at 478-542-9911 and ask for Sheena Cannon.