An affiliate of Voices, Georgia Children's Advocacy Network (GA-CAN!) is an active network of organizations contributing directly to policy development through investments in evaluation and research, advocacy and lobbying. Its mission is to unify advocates for children and families into one voice for long term outcomes for children in Georgia and to provide visibility and credibility for the child advocacy community among elected officials and other community leaders. The goal of GA-CAN! is to build a powerful and visible coalition of community organizations that actively lobbies for discreet children's issues as well as Voices' comprehensive agenda for children.

Please contact us at info@georgiavoices.org to find out how your group can participate or to lend feedback.

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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE POWERPOINT

The Power Point above explains how investing in early childhood development pays serious dividends now and well into the future-for kids, for families, for companies and communities, and for Georgia. 

This presentation was presented on February 23 as part of the 2010 Children’s Policy Watch at the Capitol - 6th Annual Legislative Breakfast. The breakfast, co-sponsored by GA-CAN and Voices for Georgia’s Children brought together more than 130 elected officials and child advocates from across Georgia to focus on a specific children’s issue and to build joint commitment to improving results.

The keynote speaker was Philip A. Peterson, Sr. Vice President, Aon Consulting and a member of the Advisory Board for Partnership for America’s Success.

A highlight of the breakfast was the inspiring Call To Action delivered by Dr. Beverly Tatum President of Spelman College and Co-Chair of the Early Education Commission.

Equally well received were the remarks delivered by State Representative Penny Houston, Chair of the House Appropriations Human Services Subcommittee and Mindy Binderman, Voices’ Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy.

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2009 STEP UP FOR KIDS DAY

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Georgia Child Summit - November 17, 2009

On November 17, 2009, close to 100 child advocates and agency staff members attended the annual pre-legislative session meeting of the Georgia Children’s Advocacy Network.  Voices for Georgia’s Children served as host for the meeting, which was billed as Georgia Child Summit.  

Participants heard from agency representatives and advocates, who presented their priorities for the legislative session. (see partial list below) The attendees also brainstormed specific tools that advocates and agency members can utilize to work together on shared priorities. Amy Swanson, Executive Director of Voices for Ohio’s Children gave the keynote address, presenting a case study of how advocates and government officials have worked together on children’s issues.

Too often, advocates and agency officials are working on the same issues but either don’t know each other or don’t know how to utilize the other effectively.  Given the current state budget crisis, Georgia’s children are much better served if we can work together as much as possible while respecting the unique roles that both advocates and agency officials have.  The 2009 Child Summit was an exciting demonstration of how diverse organizations can share information and tools and collaborate on creative solutions.

 2009 Georgia Child Summit Agenda

Below is the power point presentation and a supporting word document by keynote speaker Amy Swansen, Executive Director of Voices for Ohio's Children

Part 1
Part 2

Below is a list of priorities for the 2010 legislative session that have been developed by several GA-CAN member organizations.

Georgia Afterschool Investment Council Priorities
Dept. of Behavioral Health & Developmental Priorities
Department of Early Care and Learning Priorities
Division of Family and Children Services Priorities
Families First Priorities
 GAYC Priorities
Barton Child Law Clinic Priorities
Office of the Child Advocate Priorities
Office of Residential Child Care Priorities
PTA Priorities
 United Way Priorities