May 2022

Clayton County is a national leader in the timely disbursement of federal relief funds to low-income renting families. Clayton County’s Homeless Intervention Project (HIP), convened and facilitated by Georgia Appleseed, helped the county design an eviction diversion program that used those funds to stabilize housing for 2,151 individuals and families, and dismiss 853 eviction cases. HIP’s success required dedicated participation from the courts, public school system, non-profits, law enforcement, and county government. These leaders have worked together through HIP for over two years to identify the root causes of unsafe and unstable living conditions, develop and implement innovative policy solutions, and create systemic change. 

Partner Spotlight: SOWEGA Rising

Pictured from left to right: Sherrell Byrd (SOWEGA Rising), April Andrews (tenant), Becky Hudock and Caren Cloud (Georgia Appleseed), and Nikki Owens (Organizer, 9to5 Georgia)

SOWEGA Rising is a vital member of Georgia Appleseed‘s Georgia Healthy Housing Coalition, a group of more than 50 organizational members from across the state. SOWEGA Rising staff were critical in the planning and preparation of Georgia Appleseed Executive Director Michael Waller’s US Senate testimony on the impact of institutional landlords on communities.

SOWEGA Rising empowers individuals and revitalizes communities in Southwest Georgia through community organizing, education, and coalition-building in the areas of human rights, civil rights, and social justice. On a recent trip to Albany, Georgia Appleseed’s Caren Cloud and Becky Hudock discussed housing solutions with Executive Director Sherrell Byrd and other local non-profit partners and tenants. Working together, we are creating a Georgia where every child has a stable, healthy home.

Improving School Disciplinary Policies

Eversheds Sutherland Associate Dylan de Fouw is spearheading this effort.

With the help of Pro Bono Partner Eversheds Sutherland, Georgia Appleseed is analyzing a sampling of School Codes of Conduct from numerous school districts across the state. The data allows Georgia Appleseed to assess our impact on school discipline policies and make recommendations based on the particular needs of Georgia communities. Georgia Appleseed’s analysis will focus on which school districts have adopted Georgia Appleseed’s recommended best practices, such as requiring administrators to consider alternatives to exclusionary school discipline before removing a child from school long-term and promoting positive behavior interventions and supports that take into consideration a child’s individual needs and potential past trauma. 

• This Foster Care Awareness Month, we highlight how important it is that we all support Georgia's children in foster care and their caregivers. Youth in care face multiple obstacles to equity and justice: poverty, discrimination, disabilities and home instability. Georgia Appleseed's multi-faceted approach supports Georgia’s more than 11,400 children in foster care at the individual, community and systemic levels. We secure individualized representation for children in care facing school disciplinary action. We grow and engage our community of advocates – caseworkers, attorneys, caregivers and foster parents – through trainings, materials, and conversations. We work with local leaders and state officials to develop and implement systemic policy changes that promote better outcomes for children in care. Learn more about the national Foster Care Awareness Month initiative. 



• Mental Health Awareness Week (May 9-15) is a great time to learn and share information about the impact of mental health needs and how to find help. Here are ways you can observe and celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week.

• This May, take a moment to honor and celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Month.

211

Call 211 or search the website to find food, help with housing bills, access childcare, and more. 

GeorgiaLegalAid.org/AyudaLegalGeorgia.org

Check out this resource list for information on health, unemployment, emergency food help, and more. AyudaLegalGeorgia.org provides the same information in Spanish.

Georgia Department of Education

Find updates on coronavirus and schools and a link to the Georgia Department of Community Health’s Daily COVID-19 status report. 

Voices for Georgia’s Children

News and resources around COVID-19, including financial resources, food assistance, and guidance on talking to children about the pandemic. 

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

CHOA's resource page provides news, FAQs and resources, including relevant links to information from the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health.

Connecting with you helps us build our community of advocates and amplify our mission to advance justice for children across Georgia. Follow our social media sites to stay up to date with resources, celebrations and announcements. View our video library on YouTube, be one of the first to follow our new Instagram account, and join us on LinkedIn, FaceBook and Twitter.

Georgia Appleseed fights to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline, promotes behavioral health supports in schools, and advocates for healthy housing for Georgia's children. With nurturing schools, the supports they need, and a stable, healthy home, all of Georgia's children will thrive.

Join us by making a donation and/or becoming a pro bono partner.