Welfare Watch - June 10, 2010 - Governor Speaks at Celebration

"I have 210 days left, but who is counting? . . . You will be my legacy," said Governor Perdue at the 18th Annual Celebration of Excellence.

"We anxiously await to see what you will do."

"Do not forget the people who helped you get to where you are," continued the Governor.  "Foster parents, caseworkers, ILP specialists and the agencies all contributed to where you are now."

"You are proof that hard work pays off." "Your biggest fan is Mary Perdue," said the Governor.

The First Lady, Mary Perdue, took up the theme of thanks.  "We are proud of you.  Be grateful for those who helped you along the way. . . serve others like those who helped you.  This is what makes us significant and gives life meaning."

The Governor and the First Lady in the eight years that he served as Governor have not missed participating each year in the Celebration of Excellence, an annual event celebrating the educational accomplishments of foster youth.  One could tell that this was a bitter/sweet event for him and the First Lady.  They made foster care and the child welfare system a priority of their administration.  They transformed a child protective service system that had record numbers of children in foster care to one that has less than half that high number.  They did this while enhancing the safety of children in the custody of their parents and in care.  Accountability, transparency, performance based management and family centered practice have characterized this administration. 

Indeed, the foster children may be the most important legacy that this Governor leaves Georgia in 210 days. 

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Welfare Watch, an email newsletter of the
Georgia Association of Homes
and Services for Children
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http://www.gahsc.org
                            Normer Adams, Editor
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