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

  

October 14, 2015

REGISTER TODAY!


Honorees include:
Rev. Bessie and Mr. Antar Donaldson, Big Bethel Saturday School Academy
Charles King, President, Black Male Leadership Society, University of Georgia
Judge Velma Tilley, Bartow County Juvenile Court
Belisa Urbina, Founder, Ser Familia

(5:00 p.m. deadline on 10/14 for sponsorship inclusion in program booklet.)
Deadline for general registration is Sat., Oct. 18, 2015.

Let us know how you're observing
the Children's Sabbath or Children's Celebration in 2015-2016.
Child Poverty:  Food Insecurity
Children's Healthwatch Policy Action Brief
Diluting the Dose:  Cuts to SNAP benefits increase food insecurity following the Great Recession
Ahavath Achim to Host Community Event on Child Sexual Exploitation
Ahavath Achim Synagogue invites you to a free, frank and open community discussion about the sexual exploitation and trafficking 
of Georgia's children.

When:  Sunday, October 18, 2015, 1:00 p.m.
Where:  600 Peachtree Battle Avenue, NW, Atlanta, 30327

Stop by the ICM table while you're there!

ALL AFTERSCHOOL...ALL THE TIME!
Help Celebrate "Lights On Afterschool"
Support Continued Funding for Afterschool Programs
Attend Community Conversation on Afterschool
Celebrate the 16th annual Lights On Afterschool on October 22, 2015!

Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year.
 
The Afterschool Alliance organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things--such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry--and discover new skills. The events send a powerful message that millions more kids need quality afterschool programs.
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CALL TO ACTION ALERT:  Interfaith Children's Movement was one of 670+ signers of a letter to Congress advocating for continued funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers.  Read letter.  

You, too, can help protect afterschool and summer learning programs for Georgia's children.  Use the "Take Action" link below to show your support.
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Afterschool Community Conversation - Tues., Oct. 20, 
Join the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network for a community conversation entitled: Beyond the Bell: Developing Leaders through Afterschool on October 20, 2015 from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. in the Blue Room of the Freight Depot, located at 65 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30334.
 
Speakers will include: Bobby Cagle, Director, Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, Dr. Gary May, Dean, College of Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Roman Oben, Former NFL Player, and more!
 
This is a free event, but make sure to register to save your seat! 
GFHF to Hold Youth Substance Use Prevention Policy Forum

Fall Policy Forum on Preventing Youth Substance Use
When:  October 22, 2015, 11:30 a.m.
Where:  Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street, NE, Atlanta 

Join ICM at this forum and take a deep dive into promising, cost-effective best practices to reduce youth substance use disorders. Georgians for a Healthy Future has teamed up with the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse to focus on prevention by taking a public health approach to curbing youth substance use.

This is a free event.  However, registration is requested. Click here to sign up for the event.
FDHA to Hold Health Summit on Violence


Violence is among the most serious health threats in the world today. Join ICM at the Fulton-DeKalb Health Authority's fourth annual health summit, Violence:  America's Challenge, on October 28, 2015, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., hosted at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 265 Peachtree Center Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303.

The morning will open with remarks from Atlanta City Council President Caesar C. Mitchell and Chairman Thomas W. Dortch, Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority Board of Trustees, and a panel discussion on "Why Non-Violence Worked," moderated by Dr. Bernice King.
 
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin will serve as the moderator and Jovita Moore, Senior Anchor at WSB-TV mistress of ceremonies for the luncheon and panel discussion "Human Trafficking: Solutions through Education, Community and Victims Assistance."

Be part of the solution.  Join @theFDHA on Wednesday, October 14th from 7 pm to 8 pm for our #JoinFDHA Twitter chat. Ready, set, tweet.

Register today at: FDHA Health Summit 2015.  For a schedule of events, click here.

For more information, contact Lynn-Anne Huck, Community Engagement Facilitator,  (404) 734-4820.
GBPI to Focus Fall Policy Forum on Education Reform

Georgia Budget Policy and Institute
Fall Policy Forum Oct. 27, 2015
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Register today for "Improving Student Achievement: The Education Reform Commission and Beyond," hosted by the event's co-sponsor, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. 
 
Steve Dolinger, president of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, will provide an overview of changes contemplated by the governor's Education Reform Commission. Gwinnett County Schools Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks and state Sen. Lindsey Tippins, R-West Cobb, will be on hand to discuss education funding.
 
Pre-Kindergarten's role in education in Georgia is a hot topic, and the forum will feature three leading voices for a panel discussion of challenges and opportunities. The Pre-K panelists are Mindy Binderman, executive director of Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, Montreal Bell, coordinator of Pre-K and Remedial Program for Fulton County Schools and Wande Meadows, co-director of Little Ones Child Care Learning Center.

GA Child Welfare Legal Academy Will Address Health Care for Children in Foster Care
Topic:  "Accessing Healthcare for Children in Foster Care"

When:  October 29, 2015 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Where: Emory University Law School, Gambrell Hall - Room G575, 1301 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA , 30322 

Over the past year, significant changes have occurred affecting healthcare for children in foster care.  Full implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act offers greater access to health insurance and expanded benefits coverage for youth aging out of foster care.  Additionally, at the state level, more than 27,000 children in Georgia's foster care system, juvenile justice system, and adoption assistance program were transitioned from fee-for-service Medicaid to a single Care Management Organization.  

The program, called Georgia Families 360�, aims to improve access to healthcare services, increase continuity of care, and enhance health outcomes through strategies such as Electronic Health Records, oversight of psychotropic medications, and care coordination.  Come learn about the implications of these changes and the opportunities they present to improve health outcomes for children and youth in foster care.

Confirmed panelists include Bartow County Juvenile Court Judge Velma Tilley and Amerigroup representative David Bolt.  Additional presenters are being confirmed.

Interfaith Clergy Symposium on Human Trafficking to be Held
The Beverly Cunningham Outreach Program, Inc and The Jimmie Lee Smith Community Center have partnered to present an "Interfaith Clergy Symposium on Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking" in partnership with the Administration for Children, Interfaith Children's Movement and others.  

The symposium will take place Saturday, November 7, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Jimmie Lee Smith Community Center 5883 Highway 155 North, Stockbridge, Georgia 30281.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO BE INFORMED AND ENGAGED
When:  Thursday, October 15, 2015, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where:  North Decatur Presbyterian Church, 611 Medlock Rd., Decatur
Join us as we continue to work on elements of Structural Racism.  Tired of what's happening in our communities? There are things we can do to change it.  Come and be part of the change we need as we deepen our commitment and work to end structural racism.

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GALEO Small Logo
GALEO 2015 Hispanic Heritage Month Breakfast - Last Day to Register - Keynote Address: Marie Marquardt, Author, Dream Things True
When:  Friday, October 16, 2015, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Hilton Atlanta Northeast, 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross





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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
Are you a Citizenship Education Teacher or Program Director? 
Explore our newest guide designed to help you build an effective citizenship curriculum for your students!   Guide to the Adult Citizenship Education Content Standards and Foundation Skills: A Framework for Developing a Comprehensive Curriculum

-- Are you a Citizenship Educator or Volunteer?  Explore our newest guide designed to help you teach the basic knowledge students need to understand on Form N-400, Application for Naturalization!  Understanding Key Concepts Found in Form N-400, Application for Naturalization: A Guide for Adult Citizenship Teachers
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: 
SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT 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.
 
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When you shop Amazon Smile, choose Interfaith Children's Movement as your charity of choice!



ATTENTION  

Grand Theft Auto V is not a video game for children.

Commonsensemedia
.org says "Crime, violence, sex, drugs, and alcohol = not for kids."

Sign ICM's petition today to the Entertainment Software Rating Board to change the rating of this video game.  

Go to:
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 jneighbors@gsu.edu


Information Resourcing

ICM E-Newsletter Archive

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.

Foster Parents Needed

The need for foster families is great. Children escaping abusive or neglectful situations need a safe place to stay while their future is determined. Could your home be that safe place for children who are hurting and vulnerable?

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For more information about foster parenting in Georgia, call 1-877-210-KIDS.or visit the Division of Family and Children Services. 

National Center for Civil and Human Rights


 

 

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.