Watch Mandy & Raif Change the System!

We are not alone in our struggle! From Place to Place is a documentary about Mandy and Riaf, aging out of foster care in Montana and working to change the foster care system on a national level.

Check out the website FromPlacetoPlaceMovie.com, where you can purchase the film, get information on how to hold a community forum on issues related to foster care, and gain encouragement to take action. Like From Place to Place on Facebook and watch the movie trailer below.

 

The Fostering Connections Law

Have you heard of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008? This law covers youth in foster care and many things were changed by this law.

This law states that the federal government will give money to states for certain youth in foster care to be transported to their "school of origin" and to provide support and services to certain youth who leave foster care on or after their 16th birthday and until they reach 21.

In this video from Emory University's Barton Child Law and Policy Center an attorney explains the Fostering Connections Law and you can learn more from the Foster Care Alumni's overview here.

2011 DJJ Graduations!

  Congratuations to the 2011 graduates at Agusta's YDC and Savannah River Challenge Program!!! Like the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice on Facebook to learn more or watch a video of the Augusta YDC graduation here!

                     

The Children's Code Rewrite-Why Should I Care?

Georgia's juvenile code is so important! It sets up our juvenile courts and tells judges, lawyers, DFCS caseworkers, and others what should happen when a child has to go to court for deprivation and delinquency cases. It also covers Independent Living Services and emancipation.


There are several reasons that the Young Lawyer's Division of the State Bar of Georgia and the JUSTGeorgia coalition are working on a rewrite of the juvenile code. One example is that the juvenile code Georgia has in place now was written over 40 years ago and enacted in 1971. A lot of changes have occurred since then!  


You can learn more about the Children's Code Rewrite on JUSTGeorgia's website where they include short and long summaries of the bill and explainations of the changes that would be made to the current Juvenile Code. 

What do Bon Jovi & EmpoweMEnt's JUSTGeorgia Team Have in Common?

What do Bon Jovi & EmpowerMEnt's JUSTGeorgia team have in common? We care about youth justice! Bon Jovi met with about a dozen youth from community organizations in Atlanta for the White House Council for Community Solutions.

Read more about this story here and Share your ideas with White House Council for Community Solutions here!!!

Photos From The JUSTGeorgia BBQ

Here are more pics from the Youth Justice BBQ more will come.

Thought for the Day...

As the JUSTGeoriga team constantly grows, so does our wisdom. From the mouths of one of our very own, "What's bad for the ego is good for the soul."

Law Gives Georgia Youth a Second Chance

Last Wednesday, Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 373, to make the "Good Behavior Bill" into law July 1st, 2011. According to a press release from Georgia's Department of Juvenile Justice, this bill will give certain youth in detention facilities a second chance to have their sentences changed. Youth that have to serve between 12 and 60 months in a YDC can recieve a "good behavior reccomendation" sent to a juvenile court if they show good behavior, academic achievement, and rehabilitation.

 

Giovan Bazan-Foster Club's 2011 Outstanding Young Leaders

Congratulations to our very own Giovan Bazan for being named one of Foster Club's 100 Outstanding Young Leaders for 2011. You are an amazing advocate for youth in foster care and the Department of Juvenile Justice custody and we are proud to have you as the Project Coordinator of EmpowerMEnt's JUSTGeoriga team!

Read more about Giovan Bazan and to request him at your next speaking engagement like his Facebook Page!

School Food Fight Leads to Arrests

According to AJC.com, 9 students at Lovejoy High School in Clayton County were arrested after a food fight broke out during lunch. 

“A few students didn’t want to stop the food fight and wanted to continue in it," one of the officers stated.  Two students were also pepper-sprayed, one for allegedly cursing and the other for allegedly jumping on an officer's back. 

Read the full article here and let us know your opinion!

"Writing for Our Rights" Workshop!

EmpoweMEnt's JUSTGeorgia team is excited to invite you to our "Writing for our Rights" Workshop! 


Youth with experience in the foster care and/or DJJ systems and their supporters are invited to attend this Saturday May 14th from 1-3pm at the MAAC office.The MAAC office is located at 100 Edgewood Ave., Suite 810, Atlanta GA 30303.

Letter writing is an effective way to influence political decisions.  Our workshop attendees will gain the skills needed to express their unique experiences and opinions in a letter to their local legislators!

Please R.S.V.P. with how many will be attending and feel free to invite friends. We hope to see you there!

Did You Know: Incarcerated Youth

Did you know about 400,000 boys and girls will be confined in a juvenile detention center this year?  Learn more by viewing the Annie E. Casey Foundation's "Reforming the Juvenile Justice System" slideshow.

                                               Photo by Steve Liss

Youth Justice BBQ!!!

     Last Saturday we celebrated the work of EmpowerMEnt and VOX Teen Communications  at our Youth Justice BBQ at Exchange Park in Decatur. Highlights of the event included a raffle, spoken word poetry, and advocates and allies speaking about their involvement in enhancing JUSTGeorgia's initiatives. We are proud to be continuing the work that Giovan Bazan and Octavia Fugerson began at VOX and invite others to join us in lifting the voices of Georgia's youth.

    Check out our photos and the event's feature on the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange website as well!

Way to Go Women's Caucus at My Sister's House!

Today at My Sister's House, Governor Deal signed SB 200 which addresses human trafficking, and HB 503 which will provide funding for medical exams in sexual assault cases. My Sister's House is a residential facility that provides services to women and women with children currently experiencing homelessness. According to a press release on the Office of the Governor's website, the Women's Caucus at My Sister's House advocated for these bills.

A Penny Saved is an IPAD Earned!

Have you heard that Georgia's Independent Living Program is offering a free IPAD to whoever saves the most money in their IDA from May 1 to July 31, 2011? Find out more info on the Georgia Ilp Facebook page.