2. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Normer Adams, Executive Director

3. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Established in 1962 Represents over 125 children and family serving agencies in Georgia Provides care to children who are at-risk of involvement in Child Welfare System Agencies providing out of home care for over 250 years in Georgia..

4. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children GAHSC provides: Advocacy for the children in care Lobbying on behalf of children and family serving agencies Education about current issues facing child welfare Training on best practices for child caring staff Technical Assistance to agencies Certification of professionals..

5. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children GAHSC is: A private 501 (c)(6) Organization. We are not an public agency of the State. An Advocacy Organization, we are not a direct service provider..

6. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children GAHSC believes: Every child has the right to be safe and protected from harm. Every child deserves to grow up in a family Families are to be supported in their efforts to care for their children Out of home placement should provide for the safety, stability and basic needs of the child. Diversity is to be respected..

7. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children GAHSC believes: That every child caring agency should meet the minimum standards as set forth by Georgia’s Office of Regulatory Services. That Agencies should represent the communities of which they are apart. That Agencies should support the efforts of the State in the care of children at risk of child welfare services..

8. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Our Agencies provide: Over 100 million dollars in services to children needing out of home care Contribute over 50 million dollars to support, care, and serve children needing out of home care Care for over 2000 foster children state-wide. Provides a continuum of services..

9. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Our Agencies provides virtually all group home and therapeutic care to Georgia’s Foster Children..

10. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children This Continuum includes: Family Preservation Family Foster Care Group Homes Therapeutic Group Homes Therapeutic Foster Care Specialty Hospitals for Children and Adolescents Transitional Services for Foster Children..

11. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children We believe in Community Partnership and Ownership: Communities involved with their children. Communities protecting their children. Communities providing support for their children. Communities advocating for their children..

12. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children What would it look like in Fulton County? We envision a system: Where children can stay in their own home with proper supports provided. Where children who need to be removed from their homes are accessed about their needs. Where children get the best placement for them, the first time. Where communities support the placements through time, money, and other resources..

13. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children We envision a system that has a continuum of care assured: Where there is a no reject, no eject policy Where the care is appropriate for the child’s needs. Where children are treated humanely and with dignity. Where they can be safe and nurtured..

14. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children It can happen through Community Ownership. Communities providing care with the County in a Community/County Partnership. Let us get away from a us verses them mentality when it comes to providing care. These are our children. We want to work with the County to provide what is best for these children..

15. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children We encourage the County to allow our community agencies to be involved through: Direct service provision for foster care and emergency shelter group home care. Lending their advocacy for foster children in the custody of the County. The Giving of their resources to assist the county in caring for our children..

16. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Specifically in Fulton County, we would like to partner in Foster Care: : Through a collaboration with the County Through involvement with Community Foundations Through involvement with community agencies. Develop resources for family foster care in Fulton County..

17. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children  Continuums can be developed which address the needs of all children  No child should be placed in an inappropriate, unsafe, or unlicensed environment.

18. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children  Fulton County’s Shelters are full because of the shortage of family foster homes.  Our providers have come forward with a commitment to develop 50 additional foster home placements this year and 150 over three years.

19. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Working together, the Private Community working with the County can provide shelter(s) for children who need temporary placement for:  Assessment  Transition to a permanent placement  Temporary placement

20. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Group Homes can be provided for children who:  Need more structure and programming.  Need a staff intensive environment.  Need a therapeutic environment.

21. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Therapeutic Group Homes and Specialty Hospital Setting can be provided for children who:  Are severely emotionally disturbed.  Are severely behaviorally disturbed.  Who can not be cared for in a foster or group home.

22. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children No child should be in the custody of the State... But some, no fault of their own, need to be. We need to provide the best care possible.

23. Community Ownership of its Children Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children Working together with the Community, we can make it happen.