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Daily Update
November 26, 2014 - Thanksgiving
Thank You!
Another Thanksgiving is here for us to gather and celebrate. Today,
my wife and I took our four grandsons shopping for toys and clothes
on the lists composed by a few of the foster children currently in
the care of Douglas County DFCS. Unlike last year when we did this
exercise in teaching the boys the gift of giving there was no crying
about ‘them’ not getting to keep any of the items they selected for
the boys in foster care. Both my wife and I saw that as some
maturing by our grandsons, ages six to ten.
The word of this holiday says it all; Thanks and Giving. I want to
‘thank’ each of you and your organizations for ‘giving’ so much
everyday this past year. So many children, youth and families
depend upon your services. I hope you and your staff are able to
find the time to enjoy the holiday with those you love.
I really appreciate how far with your support Together Georgia has
come this past twelve months. We have grown by almost 30 new
organizations in 2014 and are truly becoming the providers’ voice
for child welfare in Georgia. Just last week we had a fantastic
three day GCCF conference with almost 500 folks in attendance,
including 67 exhibitors and sponsors. This fall we successfully
kicked off our new training series (free to members) with UGA’s
Fanning Institute. The next training is scheduled in early December
in Albany at our member, Easter Seals offices. Just this week, Rep
Andy Welch sent us a request to review some initial legislation he
is working on to lessen the burden of some repetitive background
checks. This came as a result of our working closely with him and
the HR 1723 Committee. For these items and so much more I say thank
you!
2015 will bring about more challenges and opportunities for us all
to come together to improve how services are provided to those in
need of our care. At the top of our working list will be to effort
for more resources. After a decade of budget cuts and stagnate
reimbursements it is time for Georgia to reinvest in both the public
and private sectors of child and family services. To that end, we
have already met once with Rep. Terry England and he has agreed to
meet further with us to discuss appropriation enhancements. I look
forward to our work this upcoming legislative session and I hope you
will let us know when and how you want to be involved.
Again, thank you for being a member of Together Georgia. I look
forward to working for you in the coming year. May peace, love and
joy fill your days.
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TOGETHER GEORGIA is the new name of
our state’s most venerable organization for child and family
services providers: the Georgia Association of Homes and Services
for Children (GAHSC). Since its inception 50 years ago, GAHSC has
been a tireless champion of children all across the Peach State.
While we’re proud of what GAHSC has accomplished over its long
history, we’ve redesigned the organization from the ground up to add
even more value to the hard-working providers serving Georgia’s
children and families. Find out more by being our guest at a
meeting, talking with our friendly members and leadership team, and
by visiting our website at
www.gahsc.org.
An email newsletter as a public service
Editor
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