Children's Code ACTION ALERT!!!

The JUSTGeoriga Coaltion recently got word that the House Judiciary Committee will hold a special hearing on the Children's Code Rewrite! The date and location of the hearing is not determined yet, but will be a part of the special session of the Georgia General Assembly that starts August 15th, 2011.

So what can you do as EmpowerMEnt's JUSTGeorgia Team Members?
1. Know who your legislators are and get their phone numbers!
 Click on My Voter Page to get this info!
2. Call your state representatives and let them know you support the Children's Code Rewrite (HB 641)
 3. Stay Tuned for more information!!!
 4.  Email us at justgacrew@gmail.com to JOIN EmpowerMEnt's JUSTGeorgia TEAM and let us know if you have any questions!

Daily Report Covers the Children's Code Rewrite

Here's the latest coverage of the Children's Code Rewrite! Thanks to Voices for Georgia's Children you can check it out here!

Psychotropic Medication Survey

We have an important announcement from EmpowerMEnt's Medication Oversight Initiative! They have created a survey with Emory's Barton Child Law and Policy Center on Psychotropic Medication for current and former foster youth. Please help us spead the word, take the survey, and to join the Medication Oversight Team contact Octavia Fugerson at tayfugerson@hotmail.com!

Did You Know: GA Juvenile Facilities & Overcrowding

Did you know that 36% of Georgia juveniles labeled "offenders in facilities" are subjected to overcrowded conditions?  This statistic comes from a 2008 report from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Check out the full report here!

Document Retreat:Last Call!!!

Here's one last reminder for the document retreat tomorrow Saturday, July 16th at 10 am in the MAAC offices! Hope to see the whole JUSTGeorgia Team there!!!

College Course on the Prison & Foster Care Connection

Some college courses go above and beyond; like a special Directed Study Political Science class at the University of California, Berkley. Their weekly topics include "Fundamentals of the Foster Care System," "Links between Prison & Foster Care,"  "Racial & Ethnic Disparities in the Foster Care System," "Life after Foster Care."

Even if you can't attend UC Berkley next semester, you can still check out their class topics and posts at   http://lifetimesentence.tumblr.com/. It includes all kinds of resources for families involved with the foster care system, including national foster care advocacy publications and ways for allies to get involved!

"Good Behavior Bill" & Runaway Safety Act

This month on July 1st, two Georgia bills that impact youth became law. Learn more about the "Good Behavior Bill" and the Runaway Safety Act at JJIE.org

New EmpowerMEnt Document Retreat!

Calling all EmpowerMEnt members!!! Planning for the new EmpowerMEnt document will be Saturday July 16th at the MAAC office. Please r.s.v.p. with Sarah Bess!

MVP: Ashley Hawkins

This Independence Day, we are proud to announce our very first MVP of EmpowerMEnt's JUSTGeorgia Team-Ashley Hawkins!!! If have been a member of the EmpowerMEnt family for long, you undoubtedly have met the Hawkins Boys. Ashley is an advocate that had an incredibly positive expereince with foster care in Georgia and still dedicates his time and his voice to improve outcomes for others. He has been an influential member of the JUSTGeorgia team and is never shy around a mic!

Ashley speaking at our Youth Justice BBQ

Age: 21

Hometown: I'm from Atlanta but was raised in Upson County Ga. 

EmpowerMEnt Region: I represent region 13.

JUSTGeorgia Team Involvement: I was one of the guys who help write the mission statement of JUSTGeorgia. I also help design the logo. I guess you can say I helped form JUSTGeorgia.

Thoughts on the Children's Code Rewrite: I think what JUSTGeorgia is doing is Awesome!! The Children's Code definitely needs a rewrite. It hasnt been updated since the 70's. We all know things have changed dramatically since then. I hope that we can help accommodate all youth with our suggestions for the rewrite. 

Ashley and Alexander Hawkins

"My experience in foster care was great. The caseworkers, supervisors, and director of Upson County DFCS are amazing people. They were and still are very supportive of my brothers and I, and did their jobs very well. My foster parent is one of the best in the United States of America. He fought for our rights and treated us as though we were his own. I love him like a father and consider him as so. He did things I know no other foster parent would do for us. Because of him The Hawkins Boys are who we are today." Ashley Hawkins

Congratuations Ashley Hawkins and thank you for your contribution to our team!