|
ICM CHILDREN'S ISSUES AND ADVOCACY FORUMS--
THURSDAY, MARCH 24
Take advantage of these free sessions with field experts to become informed about the issues that Georgia's children face, and then, learn how to become an effective advocate on their behalf. Please register at info@interfaithchildrensmovement.org.
SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS:
Registration at 8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
AGENDA FOR THE DAY
Topics & Presenters
March 24, 2011
Cindra Taylor, President
Black Child Development Institute - Atlanta
Quality Child Care for Georgia's Children
Tom Plamann, Executive Director
GA Alliance to End Homelessness
Georgia Campaign to End Child Homelessness
Interfaith Children's Movement
How to Effectively Engage Your Elected Officials
***
April 28, 2011
Parental Nurture & Advocacy
May 26, 2011
Immigrant Children & Advocacy
June 23, 2011
Health Care & Advocacy
|
|
FROM GEORGIA BUDGET POLICY INSTITUTE -- "HB 78 COULD LEAVE GEORGIANS WORSE OFF"
|
From ICM: Contact you state legislators and share this information with them. Let them know that you support a budget that does not balance the state's deficit by undercutting the underserved and impeding the ability of Georgia's children to receive proper care and a quality education.
Bone-cutting example: HB 78 allots 400 additional Child Care Services slots. (According to GBPI, an estimated 10,000 less children will received subsidized child care in FY 2012.) However, the proposed slots are funded by dollars "re-directed" from the provider who operates the literacy program for children who receive subsidized child care. Is there a plan to continue this program for Georgia's children?
These are not choices that Georgia's children in need should have to endure. Yes, of course, they need available, quality child care so that their parents can remain gainfully employed. However, these children also need resources that help to prepare them for school. The earlier a child is exposed to reading and learning, the less likely he/she is to experience educational failure. Educational failure is a key indicator for predicting a child's entry into the juvenile justice system. |
|
|
SPIRITUAL WITNESS FOR CHILDREN |
One of the most important things faith communities can do for children is to pray for them.
Every child is a child of God and deserves justice and compassion. Every child deserves our prayers.
ICM encourages every faith community to become a spiritual witness for children. Hold a worship service in your church, synagogue, mosque or temple and invite others to join in praying for the well-being of all children. |
ICM Mission and Goals
The Interfaith Children's Movement was formed in 2001 as an intentional association of individuals and communities of faith from all religious traditions.
The Interfaith Children's Movement strives to be a voice for all Georgia children, but especially the poor and marginalized whose voices are often unheard.
ICM works closely with Georgia's policy-oriented child advocacy organizations, such as:
-
Voices for Georgia's Children,
-
The Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic at Emory University,
-
Georgia Appleseed,
-
JUSTGeorgia,
-
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and
-
A Future.Not a Past. (child prostitution prevention).
These organizations set the agenda for our advocacy work for children.
ICM's faith community members provide a megaphone to the legislature about what needs to be done for children.
| |
|
|
|
|
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
NEXT MEETING OF SCHOOL DROPOUT PREVENTION COMMITTEE | |
The next meeting of the School Dropout Prevention Committee will be Wednesday, March 23, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The meeting location is Central United Methodist Church, Room 211-213, 501 Mitchell Street, SW, Atlanta, GA 30314.
Please contact ICM at 770-498-2141 or ICM e-mail and let us know that you will attend. |
LEGISLATION
AND
BUDGET ISSUES
Crossover Day, Wed., Mar. 23
Legislation must have passed one chamber (House or Senate) by Crossover Day in order to stay on track to becoming law.
Budget FY12
- 2020 Georgia: 20 Choices
- Georgia Budget Policy Institute
Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
HB 185 - "Runaway Youth Safety and Services Act" -- Pending vote by the full House
HB 200 - "Freedom from Human Trafficking Act" -- Let your state senator know that you support HB 200.
Education
Bright from the Start FAQ on Pre-K and Governor Deal's proposed budget
Voices for GA's Children
Legislative Update
1. Pre-Kindergarten
2. Child Care Centers SB 152
3. Child Care Programs SB 185
Health Care
Georgians for a Healthy Future (Analysis of various health care bills)
Immigration
HB 87 - "Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011"
-- Passed by the House
You can still contact Governor Deal (404) 656-1776 and let him know that you do not support legislation that fosters an environment of fear and suspicion.
Juvenile Justice
SB 127 - "The Child Protection and Public Safety Act" (Children's Code Re-write) -- Promotes restorative justice for Georgia's children. Invite ICM to your faith community for a session on juvenile justice and the importance of the Children's Code Re-write effort.
Parental Nurture
HB 432 - "Flexible Sick Days"
Received a hearing by the Industrial Relations Committee on March 11. Further study was determined to be in order.
|
|
ICM Board of Directors
Bettieanne C. Hart, Board Chair
Carolina Antonini
Rabbi Analia Bortz
Rev. Dr. Merchuria Chase-Williams
Elaine Eberhart
Lance Lourie
Ben Murunga
Rev. Andrew Peabody
Rev. Dr. Wendell Phillips
Donald Price, Treasurer
Rev. Bessie Robinson
Imam Mansoor Sabree
David Soloway
Beatrice Soublet
Kathryn Stanley |
JOIN ICM and the effort to improve the well-being of Georgia's children. Make a tax-deductible contribution today.
|
| Send this publication as a Web link |
|
| |
|
