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www.georgiavoices.org. VOICES for Georgia’s Children. Mission: To be a powerful voice for children and to inspire Georgians to act on their behalf Key Message: “ It’s time for Georgia’s children to reflect the leadership of Georgia’s economy.”
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VOICES for Georgia’s Children • Mission: To be a powerful voice for children and to inspire Georgians to act on their behalf • Key Message: “It’s time for Georgia’s children to reflect the leadership of Georgia’s economy.” • Core Strategy: To set 10-year objectives on 5 measures of children and drive state policy and budget to achieve our goals.
Georgia Youth Policy Framework: A Policy Logic Model Youth Policies Investments Children & Youth Results • Universal • Youth-focused (Ages 0-21) • Vulnerable Youth Services Programs Supports Safe Healthy Healthy System (Public, Private & Non-Profit) Educated Connected Employable Policy Implementation Sources: : (1) Connell, Gambone and Smith (2000) Community Action Framework for Youth Development; (2) Ferber, Pittman and Marshall (2002) State Youth Policy: Helping All Youth to Grow Up Fully Prepared and Fully Engaged; (3) Center for Study of Social Policy (2003) Policy Matters: Setting and Measuring Benchmarks for State Policies: Engaging Youth in Positive and Productive Roles: Recommendations for State Policy; (4) Foundation Consortium of California (2001) Results for Children Initiative (RCI) Theory of Change
2005 Introduced 240 Passed 50 Bills 42 Resolutions 8 2006 Introduced 254 Passed 48 Bills 40 Resolutions 8 General Assembly 2005-2006
Bills Passed -- 2006 • GENERAL • Children’s Budget Study Committee • SAFETY • Sex offenders law • Timely child abuse reports • HEALTH • Newborn screenings increased to 29
Bills Passed – 2006 (continued) • EDUCATION • Lower class sizes • 65% rule for all education funds in the classroom • Parent permission to drop out of school • DOE $ for DFCS youth • CONNECTEDNESS • Child support formula • Age for parental consent to marry • State child care tax credits • Youth incarceration in DJJ through age 21
Policy Interests for 2007-2008 • State Children’s Budget • Health Insurance for All Children • Child Care Quality Rating System • Early Interventions • Juvenile Code Issues • Therapeutic Care for Foster Children • School Funding Sources
Make a Difference: Be a Voice for Georgia’s Children! • Get to know your representatives: General Assembly, Senate, school board, city council • Stay informed: Read FCP updates; join Voices’ listserv • Show up: Attend advocacy days at the capitol and VOTE • Speak up: Share your knowledge; become one of the rare citizens who regularly contacts your representatives