January | 2025
 

This Year's Legislative Priorities

Georgia Appleseed's team is back at the Capitol this legislative session, continuing to push for reforms to ensure school-age kids have a safe and nurturing environment at school and at home.


You can help! Let us know if you want to join our efforts.


School Safety and Climate

Given recent events (see the FAIR Factoid), and a resurgence of problematic zero-tolerance policies, we're working with state leaders, including the Speaker of the House and Lt. Governor, to offer guidance on effective, evidence-based school safety reforms. 
 

Within six weeks of the school shooting in Winder, we handled 58 disciplinary referrals from 12 counties involving alleged "threats" made by students.


  • Half of the referrals involved minor and age-typical behaviors such as inappropriate jokes or meltdowns, often linked to young age or disabilities.
  • Alarmingly, all cases resulted in proposed out-of-school suspensions for at least a year, potentially derailing a child's education and life opportunity.

Medical Licensing: Expanding Access to Healthcare

Georgia Appleseed is leading advocacy for legislation that will reform medical licensing to expand children’s access to high quality care. With key allies like the Medical Association of Georgia, we aim to streamline licensing for qualified international physicians, including family doctors, pediatricians and psychiatrists on the front lines of children’s mental health care.


Slumlord Accountability: Removing the Ban on Local Registries

We've drafted legislation to allow local governments to identify and hold landlords accountable for providing safe and habitable housing. We’ve secured support from statewide organizations representing Georgia cities and counties and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Read more in this WABE article.


Corporal Punishment

Did you know that corporal punishment is still permitted in Georgia schools, and is most commonly used against K-2 children and those with disabilities? We're working to require parental consent before a child may be paddled, spanked, or hit in schools.

Learn more about these legislative priorities and others at our Policy Priorities webpage.

Know a child or youth facing school suspension or expulsion? Do they or their caregivers need help navigating the school discipline system? We can help: FAIR Referral Program – Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice

 

2025 Means 20 Years of Impact

 
 

What's your best memory of Georgia Appleseed? Favorite project? Let us know at 20years@gaappleseed.org
 

This year we’re celebrating 20 years of impact at Georgia Appleseed, and we want you to be part of it! Whether you’re brand new to our work or have been with us from the beginning—as a staff member, supporter, volunteer, or partner—this milestone is about all of us.

  • We’d love to see your photos and hear your memories of the people and projects that made Georgia Appleseed’s work so meaningful.
  • Email us at 20years@gaappleseed.org to help us build out our 20-year timeline, recognizing special contributors and key moments.


Stay tuned for more ways to celebrate, like at Roaring for Justice on April 25, and let’s reflect, connect, and look ahead to the future together.
 

Justice Conversations Recap

Program panelists and participants left to right: Judge Caren Cloud, Fulton County Juvenile Court; Amy Steigerwalt, Georgia State University; Michael Waller, Georgia Appleseed; Chief Magistrate Judge Keisha Wright Hill, Clayton County Magistrate Court; Brian Harms, Troutman Pepper; Justice Verda Colvin, Georgia Supreme Court; Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, Georgia State Senate. Not pictured: Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn.

Justice Conversations: Housing, the Law, and Child Well-Being

What happens when a supreme court justice, a senator, a magistrate court judge, and juvenile court judge get together? Great ideas, that's what! Here are a few key takeaways from Georgia Appleseed's 2024 Justice Conversations panel:


  • Housing instability hurts learning. Unstable housing disrupts children’s education and well-being, making it harder for them to thrive.
  • Mental health support is essential. There is an urgent need for mental health resources for children and families affected by housing challenges.
  • Collaboration is key. Courts, legislators, and advocates must work together to create comprehensive solutions.
  • Policy reform is vital. Legislative action is needed to improve housing stability and ensure educational opportunities.
  • Supporting youth is a shared responsibility. Targeted interventions are necessary to help children overcome housing and school instability.


Contact Liz to request a transcript of the conversation or get on our invite list for upcoming events.

Not too Early to Get Ready to Roar!

In 2025 Georgia Appleseed celebrates 20 years of driving change and advancing justice across Georgia.
 

This milestone Roaring for Justice will honor two decades of progress and the individuals who've made it possible, while raising support for the next 20 years. Mark your calendar!


Friday, April 25, 2025 | The Foundry at Puritan Mill, Atlanta


Watch for more details available soon!


Interested in sponsoring the event? Reach out to Liz to maximize the benefits of your sponsorship. Learn more >>
Become a Sponsor

Connect With Us

Connecting with you helps us build our community of advocates and amplify our mission to advance justice for children across Georgia. View our video library on YouTube, and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and FaceBook.
 

Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice | 1600 Parkwood Circle SE Suite 200 | Atlanta, GA 30339 US

Unsubscribe | Our Privacy Policy | Constant Contact Data Notice

Constant Contact