Day 8 - 1/25/2007
>> Back to Daily Highlights
The Senate Education and Youth Committee held a hearing today on SB 10, entitled “Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act.” The bill’s sponsor is Eric Johnson of Savannah.
A broad coalition of education advocates opposed the bill. These groups, including the Georgia PTA and the League of Women Voters, have position against public taxpayer funds going to private schools. In addition, the groups have expressed concerns that the choice to exercise the voucher lies entirely with the parent of the child with special needs, there is no objective third party determining that the services offered by the private school are the best alternative for the needs of the child. There is no requirement for the IEP to be reevaluated, no requirement to take state tests to determine the educational progress of the student, and no accountability for the school to present the Georgia curricula. The Committee recommended passage of SB10.
The hearing on SB 10 generated so much discussion that SB 39, the bill to create charter local school systems was not heard for lack of time by the Senate Education & Youth Committee. SB 39 will be heard on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 in Room 310 LOB at 2 p.m.
The House Appropriation subcommittees continue to meet to consider the FY07 amended budget. At today’s House Appropriations Human Resources Subcommittee hearing, Commissioner BJ Walker was questioned about the Department’s intent to drop the number of in-patient substance abuse treatment beds for children to 32 beds. Commissioner Walker stated that it is her intent to provide services in the community for every child who goes home. Committee members expressed concern that their communities do not have “community-based services.” Commissioner Walker responded that the Department is transitioning to a best practices model with the Crisis Stabilization Programs. Her vision is for there to be a range of services ranging from community based programs that utilize the “7 challenges” models, Crisis Stabilization Programs for detox, and 32 beds for long term care.
Representative May questioned the Commissioner on the $4.26 million fine that the Department received from the federal government for failing to meet federal child welfare benchmarks. Commissioner Walker explained that, in 2001, Georgia was one of the 1st states to go through a child and family services review and that the state was found out of compliance in certain areas. She said that the Department, at that time, wrote a developed a very detailed Performance Improvement Plan which she stated gave the Department 214 areas on which to improve. Commissioner Walker stated that, had she been working in her position at the time, she would not have developed such a wide-ranging plan. The Department did not comply with 11 parts of the PIP, and, after negotiations with the des, was fined. In response to a question concerning whether the department was now in compliance, Commissioner Walker stated that,since May 2004, there was no more opportunity to work on the plan and thus avoid the fine. She told the committee members that the federal government will return in May 2007 for the next review, and, if the state is found out of compliance this time, she would “write a PIP that I can pass.”
Upcoming meetings
Monday, January 29th
1 pm House and Senate Convene.
2 pm ( or upon adjournment), House Appropriations Human Resources Subcommittee, 341 CAP, Public Hearing on DHR 07 budget. Sign up sheet is located in 245 CAP.
Tuesday, January 30
9 am, House Children and Youth Committee, 403 CAP. Commissioner Marsha Moore of Bright from the Start will speak.
2 pm. Senate Education & Youth Committee will meet in Room 310 LOB.