URGENT ISSUES FOR GEORGIA’S CHILDREN

IN 2011

Children and Youth CommitteeGeorgia House of Representatives

January 25, 2011

VOICES for Georgia’s ChildrenResource for Public Officials

– Research issues and policies– Analyze data– Review proposed legislation and regulations

Advocate for Georgia’s Children– Convenor

– Educator

– Lobbyist

Goals for Kids– Safe, healthy, educated, employable,

connected to family and community

Policy Strategies for Improving Outcomes– Support the needs of children 0-5– Ensure access to healthcare for all kids– Intervene early in the lives of vulnerable youth

Critical Issues: Children 0-5Georgia PreK

– Preserve program quality for 84,000 children• Per child allocation reduced from $4226 to $3988• Still 10,000 children on the waiting list• Risk losing providers and therefore access to PreK

Child Care – 10,000 fewer families subsidized (CAPS)

• Loss of ARRA funds ($36 million)• Reassignment of TANF funds ($11.5 million)

– Lost $11 mil in ARRA funds for quality training• Funded incentives and training for 1200 participants• Challenge to respond to negative findings of FPG study

Critical Issues: Child HealthEarly Health

– Discontinuation of Babies Born Healthy (services for pregnant women not qualified for Medicaid) $2.9 mil

– No funds for Children’s 1st (identification & referral)

Healthcare Coverage– New co-payments for kids over 6 covered by

PeachCare and for Katie Beckett waivers– No funds for enrollment growth in FY12– Simplified enrollment and retention practices should

increase participation

Critical Issues: Vulnerable YouthJuvenile Justice

– Children’s Code Re-write – to be newly introduced in the Senate

HOPE scholarships and grants – impact of budget reductions on lower and

middle income students

Homeless, runaway youth– Protection of providers who serve children

under 18

Critical Issues: Vulnerable YouthCommercial sexual exploitation of children

– Work for policy based on prevention, intervention, and education

Foster Care– Administration of psychotropic drugs

• Informed consent• Clinical review teams

– Support for young people aging out of foster care

Critical Issues: State GovernmentLottery-funded programs

– Commission to determine desired outcomes of HOPE and PreK to drive budget decisions

– Annual funds for evaluation and publication of results

Family Connection Partnership– Preserve non profit status– Preserve the public/private partnership

URGENT ISSUES FOR GEORGIA’S CHILDREN

IN 2011

Pat WillisExecutive Director

January 25, 2011

www.georgiavoices.org