Our annual pre-legislative session breakfast for the Georgia Children’s Advocacy Network (GA-CAN!) makes me happy. This year, it took place on January 4 and included several speakers and an open discussion about our individual legislative priorities for 2012. Putting 35+ smart child advocates in a room with coffee and pastries can only lead to goodness and inspiration. (Unfortunately, it can make us feel overwhelmed at times too!)
This year, as with all years, there is a lot for GA-CAN! members to pay attention to and work on to ensure Georgia’s kids have the best possible environment in which to grow and prosper. I have consolidated many of our individual legislative priorities into a Top 10 list for GA-CAN!. If I have inadvertently left out an issue near and dear to your heart, please don’t take offense. Chances are, I will try to talk about it in another post at another time. And please, don’t hesitate to give us feedback!
Top 10 Issues for GA-CAN! in 2012 (In NO particular order):
1. Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids – expansion, redesign, provider reimbursement, and 12-month eligibility
3. Child-serving agency budgets (DPH/DHS/DECAL/DBHDD/DJJ/DOE ) – waivers, child screenings, and school budgets
4. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) – funding at the Federal level and allocation by the state
5. Foster children – right to representation, education, homes and services, and expansion of services for kids transitioning out of foster care
6. Tax reform – $1 tobacco tax (pro), tax on groceries (against), tax on select services, and balanced approach to revenues and cuts
7. Sexual abuse and sexual exploitation – elimination of statute of limitations for sexual abuse, mandatory reporting, study on services provided to victims of trafficking, and school for “Johns”
8. Oral health – increased access to dental care and prevention of further cuts to services
9. Child nutrition and hunger – medical foods coverage, food deserts, and access to healthy foods at schools and elsewhere
10. Community and work supports – transportation, unemployment insurance, flexible paid time off, and refugee services state barriers
So, feel overwhelmed yet? Well, don’t. The beauty of a list like this is that each piece counts, so if you work on even just one issue, it makes a difference. We ask that you be aware of all these issues though. If you want more information on any of these topics, don’t hesitate to contact us. Not a member of GA-CAN!? Consider joining our cause!
