Becoming a Child Advocate

Advocacy consists of two main sub-parts: education and action. As a child advocate, it is important that you participate in both.

Education includes educating yourself on issues and educating others. Georgia is rich in child advocacy organizations that supply an abundance of information. However, this information is only circulated among the staff of these advocacy organizations, attorneys, judges, other court staff, and social workers. The problems creeps in when all of the aforementioned sit at the table to discuss and make changes to or offer support for the laws affecting our children, families,and communities, and neither the children, families, or community members are present to voice their opinions. Thus, what ends up happening is that decisions are made about you and your family without anyone ever hearing your two cents. Sadly enough, many people have no clue about what decisions were made and what new laws are in effect until it is too late and they are standing before the judge in juvenile court. As much as I would like to say that it is the system's fault, I cannot, because the fault lies in the irresponsibility of the families' failure to educate themselves on the issues beforehand, advocate their positions, and vote on the changes they seek. I know that you have heard it before, but "education is key."

After educating yourself and others, it is necessary that you form an opinion and make your opinion known. Take action to voice your approval or disapproval for the current state of issues by contacting your legislatures. Then, if possible, focus your efforts on supporting your opinions by voting. You cannot expect others to always know or do what is best for you and your family if you have not told them. So express yourself... form a relationship with the advocates lobbying for changes and the legislatures that vote on them. These are two of the greatest actions that you can take. Furthermore, participation in the child advocacy coalition meetings around the state is almost always free and contacting your legislature can be as easy as sending an email.

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't. The entire purpose of this blog is to keep you current on all of the major child welfare issues and give you the necessary tools you need to become child advocates, if not for your children, for the children in your community. It's simple, all you have to do is : 1)educate yourself by reading this blog and gathering information at child advocacy meetings (I'll keep you updated on what's going on); 2) share that information with others; 3) form an opinion/position; and 4) voice it. Education & action, how simple it that?

Child Welfare Organization Links

http://www.childwelfare.net/ (Emory Barton Child Law & Policy Clinic)
http://www.justga.org/ (JUSTGeorgia Coalition)
http://www.georgiavoices.org/ (Voices for Georgia's Children)
www.cviog.gua.edu/childfamilypolicy/ (Carl Vinson Institute, Child & Family Policy Initiative)

General & Contact Information for Legislatures (just click the link and enter your zip code)
http://www.votesmart.org/