ATLANTA-Over 200 child welfare providers, advocates, community and business leaders met today at the 3^rd Annual Child Advocacy Forum to discuss the State of Georgia's Children and urge policy makers to Put Children First in their budget and policy considerations. Child welfare was a top priority in the 2002 election and Governor Sonny Perdue has continued to highlight the priority he places on Georgia's "invisible children," the more than 14,000 kids in Georgia's foster care system. Attendees thanked Perdue for his budget request related to children's services and urged policy makers to stand behind the Governor's request for an additional $52 million in new state funding for the child welfare system over the next 18 months.

Georgia's child welfare system has made slow, but steady gains in the last three years. In 2002, DHR was allocated $14.4 million in new money for child welfare, but denied the 196 new caseworker positions requested as part of the 3-year Special Child Protection Initiative back to only 100. In 2001, $32 million was allocated to the child welfare system, which allowed DHR to raise caseworker's salaries, hire more staff, expand training and increase the amount paid to families that care for foster children. Georgia's DHR still falls significantly short of the caseworker positions needed to meet the caseload standards established by the Child Welfare League of America.

Patrice Harris, Senior Policy Fellow at the Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic, said, "The Child Advocacy Forum is a wonderful opportunity to bring attention to the broad spectrum of issues that affect the children of Georgia.  Advocates from around the state have the opportunity to share goals and ideas as we work together for Georgia's children." According to the Department of Human Resources (DHR), in 2001, county departments of Family and Children Services (DFCS) investigated 62,401 reports of child abuse and neglect in Georgia. Child advocates indicated that they are pleased with the additional funding, but that the vision for an improved child welfare system that fully complies with federal law and best practices requires more resources - for prevention programs, caseworkers and placements for children.

Ann Cramer, chair, Child Protective Services Task Force, agreed. "Between the Governor's budget request and his remarks during the State of the State, we're encouraged that Georgia's children have a strong ally at the State Capitol. In this tight budget year, we hope the Governor throws the full weight of his office into making child welfare a priority, through funding and policy matters. Governor Perdue has placed child welfare at the top of his list. Now, it is incumbent upon the General Assembly to follow through and put children first."   ###

The forum was followed by a rally across the street in the rotunda of the State Capitol building. Governor and Mrs. Perdue received a giant postcard signed by all the child advocates at the event thanking them for their commitment to Georgia's children:

And, for posterity, and because it was so well done, the flyer that went out announcing the 2003 event.