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Doing what we are called to do; doing what we are able to do; doing what must be done.

  

May 5, 2014
May is National Foster Care Month! 
Register Today!  ICM Coming Together for All Children, May 6

Please join us at our 5th annual "Coming Together for All Children," Tuesday, May 6, 2014, 6:30 p.m., at Central Congregational Church of Christ, Clairmont Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.

 

Keynote Speaker:  Chief Judge Bradley J. Boyd, Fulton County Juvenile Court will discuss how Georgia is changing the way it addresses children through the new Juvenile Code and how courts and communities can work together to ensure that children fulfill their potential, rather than become part of the state's penal system.
 

Presentation:  Erika Hill, Community Outreach Manager, Metro Atlanta Equity Atlas (MAEA), Partnership for Southern Equity, will present "Mapping the Needs of Our Children."  Find out how our children are faring and where your services may be needed.

 

Hear from our youth guest speaker, Shakerria Fletcher, about "The Importance of Having a Mentor."

 

Bring your "Celebration of Giving" gift cards (in $25 increments) in support of the 22nd Celebration of Excellence of Georgia's Graduating Youth in Foster Care.  Let our youth know that they have a community who cares for their wellbeing as they embark on the next phase of their lives.

 

We'll celebrate you and your efforts during the 2014 legislative session! 

Governor's Council on Child Welfare Reform Holds First Meeting

The first meeting of the Governor's Child Welfare Reform Council was held May 1, 2014.  As you may recall, Governor Deal created the council in response to the debate in the General Assembly during the 2014 legislative session regarding the privatization of Georgia's foster care system.  The Council is charged "with the purpose of completing a comprehensive review of the Division of Family and Children Services and to advise [the Governor] on possible executive agency reforms and legislative fixes if necessary."

 

As a member of the JUSTGeorgia coalition, ICM will keep you apprised of the progress of the work of the Child Welfare Reform Council.  Please select the link below for access to the meeting agenda, video of the meeting and other information.

 

Child Welfare Reform Council


OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO BE INFORMED AND ENGAGED

DEADLINE APPROACHING:  Bright from the Start: Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for eligible sponsors to serve nutritious meals to children next summer. More info can be found at http://decal.ga.gov/.

 
LAST TRAINING DATES:  May 7 and 8, Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337, 770-997-3566,9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Registration 8:30 a.m.
 
The state needs new sponsors and expanded service from existing sponsor organizations to help prevent child hunger during the summer. 
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Summer Employment Opportunities

Youth must be between ages 16 through 21; A low-income individual (see below) Be a citizen or non-citizen authorized to work in the U.S.; Meet Military Selective Service registration requirements (males only); and Be a Fulton County Resident; Within one or more of the following categories: 

(A) Individuals who are school dropouts.

(B) Individuals who are basic literacy deficient.

(C) Individuals with educational attainment that is one or more grade levels below the grade level appropriate to the age of the individuals.

(D) Individuals who are pregnant or parenting.

(E) Individuals with disabilities, including learning disabilities.

(F) Individuals who are homeless or runaway youth.

(G) Individuals who are offenders.

(H) *Other eligible youth who face serious barriers to employment as identified by the local board

(I) Foster care youth.
 

 

Informational meeting:  Wed., May 7, 2014, 6:00 p.m.:

South Fulton Service Center

5600 Stonewall Tell Road

College Park, GA 30349

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May is National Mental Health Month:  Nineteenth Annual Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum

Friday, May 16, 2014, The Carter Center, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

 

Topics will include: updates on ADHD care in Georgia and the settlement agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of Georgia, as well as mental health workforce issues.

 

On-Line Registration:

http://www.cartercenter.org/health/mental_health/forum2014/forumreg.aspx

 

There is a $25 fee for the forum.  Scholarships are available. Lunch will be provided. Please call 404.420.5165 with additional questions.

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Apply for Parent Leadership Institute 

Parent Leadership Institute is an extensive training course utilizing the University of Georgia's Fanning Institute Community Leadership Program curriculum as a core foundation for developing community leadership,  paired with education advocacy and school discipline reform tools. Deadline is May 31, 2014.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------youthSpark! Community Ambassador Training, Saturday, June 14, 2014, 8:30am-12:00pm, Zion Missionary Baptist Church--Fellowship Hall, 888 Zion Circle,Roswell, GA 30075.  REGISTER NOW! Email: [email protected] to RSVP. Continental breakfast will be provided.

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Rising Tuition and Shrinking HOPE Squeeze College Students - article from Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, May 2, 2014

 

Voices for Georgia's Children has released a new publication, Childhood Trauma: Discussion & Policy Solutions, which serves as an essential resource for advocates and practitioners.

 

Child Sex Trafficking Webinar SeriesWeb-based training series for Georgia healthcare professionals on child sex trafficking.  Presented by The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Stephanie V. Blank Center for Safe and Healthy Children and the Governor's Office for Children and Families.

 

Was former teacher mandated to report student-coach sexual relationship? 

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Bright from the Start: Credential Requirements for Directors and Lead Teachers

 

Bright from the Start:  Methods of Delivery for Determination Letters Based on Fingerprints

 

DEADLINE APPROACHING:  Bright from the Start:  Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for eligible sponsors to serve nutritious meals to children next summer. More info can be found at http://decal.ga.gov/. 
LAST TRAINING DATES:  May 7 and 8, Georgia International Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337, 770-997-3566,9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Registration 8:30 a.m
The state needs new sponsors and expanded service from existing sponsor organizations to help prevent child hunger during the summer.  

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ICM Mission and Goals

 

The Interfaith Children's Movement (ICM) is a grassroots, advocacy movement dedicated to improving the well-being of children in Georgia.  ICM 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 children in Georgia, but especially the poor and marginalized whose voices are often unheard. 

 

ICM works closely with Georgia's policy-oriented child advocacy organizations, such as: 

Make a Special Contribution 
to ICM Today!

 

Your contributions help to create a better Georgia for children.  Make a monthly tax-deductible gift of $25.00 or a one-time gift of $100.00. Please make a secure, on-line, tax-deductible contribution. Do what must be done... GIVE to ICM today.
 
Make a Donation
Upcoming ICM Meetings
ICM in Cobb
Thurs., 5/8, 4pm
Stratton Public Library
1100 Powder Springs Road, Marietta, GA 30064
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia

GA HELPLINE

1-800-CHILDREN

Please share this number widely.

 

Contact PCA of GA if your agency or organization would like to be included in the Helpline Resource and Referral Database

 

Contact Person:

Julia Neighbors

404-413-1419 or [email protected]


Information Resourcing

Released:  GBPI Poverty Report 

(72% of GA children in poverty are under the age of 12.) 

  
Find Your Legislators
  
Wednesday's Child Georgia

   

 

Wednesday's Child, sponsored by the Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption, is a weekly television feature about adoption that helps find permanent, loving, adoptive families for children in foster care.
 
Wednesday's Child Georgia is a partnership of the Georgia Department of Human Services, Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption  and Fox 5 TV - Atlanta.

 

 

One of the most important things faith communities can do for children is to pray for them.

 

Every child is a child of God.  All children deserve justice, compassion and our prayers.

 

ICM encourages every faith community to become a spiritual witness for children. Hold a worship service in your church, synagogue, masjid / mosque or temple and invite others to join in praying for the well-being of all children. 

  ICM Prayer Breakfast Logo
Learn more about who we are and what we do; and how you can become a part of the Movement.