March 2022

Legislative Update

Georgia Appleseed monitors legislation impacting Georgia's children, including bills from this session highlighted below. March 15 marked Crossover Day at the Capitol, the deadline for bills to clear at least one chamber of the General Assembly. The following bills relevant to our mission have "crossed over" and could still become law.

Georgia Appleseed supports:

The Mental Health Parity Bill (HB 1013), helping ensure that all Georgians have the same access to health services and benefits for mental health as they do for their physical health. HB 1013 would improve access to behavioral healthcare for children by increasing funding, growing the behavioral health workforce, and increasing coordination among care providers.
A comprehensive bill to expand lead poisoning prevention, abatement, and requirements for written advisements. Reducing lead exposure levels is consistent with current CDC guidelines and better protects Georgia’s children. Georgia Appleseed supports the expansion of enumerated sources of lead contamination to include the outdoor areas surrounding homes, schools and daycares.

Georgia Appleseed does not support:

Bills banning certain historical curricula as "divisive" and imposing penalties on schools that fail to comply. This legislation would erode school climate and trust among students and staff, discourage students' civic development and engagement, diminish educator autonomy and morale, worsen attrition issues, and punish already under-funded schools.
Legislation to ban valid educational materials from school libraries as "obscene." Diverse and representative literature options are important to positive school climate, educational progress, and student well-being.

Development Manager Joins Team

We welcome Liz McDaniel, a seasoned nonprofit professional with experience building and growing organizations, as our Development Manager. Liz is a graduate of Huntingdon College and Asbury Theological Seminary and started her career overseas working alongside migrant workers in Hong Kong. Her time in Hong Kong was spent in advocacy and rights training and court accompaniment, where she specifically worked with women from Indonesia and the Philippines. From there, Liz moved to Seattle and worked 13 years in homeless services to bring families inside to safety and stability. Throughout her career in program development and operations, she has been a part of 26 shelter openings. Her experience working alongside those too often left in the margin fuels her passion for justice and hope-centered work.

School Tribunal Training March 29

Calling pro bono attorneys and all advocates for justice in schools! Earn CLE credits at a virtual training on advocacy for students in foster care at risk of exclusionary discipline measures. The training will prepare pro bono attorneys to represent youth in care in school disciplinary/tribunal hearings and will include an overview of the tribunal process, steps to take prior to the tribunal hearing, and the role of the advocate attorney.

Part of the Atlanta Bar Pro Bono March Madness series, our training is Tuesday, March 29, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm. We will feature speakers from Georgia Appleseed’s Young Professional Council (YPC). Register Now!

Roaring for Justice Tickets On Sale

Excitement continues to build for our Roaring for Justice annual fundraiser and celebration!

Purchase tickets now to join us April 14^th 6-8 PM for live music, refreshment and fellowship at Zoo Atlanta's new Savanna Ballroom overlooking the elephants. Along with socializing, we’ll toast Georgia’s Good Apples – leading advocates for children – and raise crucial funds for our advocacy for Georgia's youth and families.

Sponsorship opportunities and benefits are still available at all levels. Contact Liz McDaniel to join our distinguished group of 2022 Roaring for Justice supporters today!

Pillars of Justice: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, King & Spalding, Taylor English Duma

Core Supporters: Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Southern Company Services

Problem Solvers: Alston & Bird, Troutman Pepper, William and Patricia Shropshire

Current and Upcoming Events

March is Women's History Month. Here are ten ideas to celebrate in a meaningful way, including supporting women-owned businesses, artists and authors.

March 29 - Education Advocacy for Students in Foster Care: School Tribunal Training, a volunteer training for pro bono attorneys and advocates as part of Atlanta Bar Association's March Madness CLE program.

April 14 – Roaring for Justice 17th annual fundraiser and celebration of Good Apple advocates, this year at Zoo Atlanta.

April 20 – Georgia Appleseed is partnering with The Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health for its 2022 convening: Fostering Growth After Trauma: Supporting Emotional Well-Being of youth in the Community.

Support Justice for Georgia's Children Now

Georgia Appleseed focuses on dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, promoting behavioral health supports in schools, and advocating for healthy housing because we believe these areas are powerful levers for meaningful, systemic change.

Join us in creating systemic change by making a donation, sponsoring Roaring for Justice, and/or becoming a pro bono partner.