Editorial

From the Desk of Gaye Morris Smith
Executive Director

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. For this issue, we've partnered with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia on an article explaining why research-based prevention efforts are critical to producing positive outcomes. We also feature the recent efforts of two Family Connection collaboratives and the strategies they're using to address issues in their communities. We've included information on Georgia KIDS COUNT data that tracks the status of children in five result areas, including Health Children.

Our next issue of Connected will be published in June and will focus on family self-sufficiency in Georgia. We recognize that many working families in Georgia live in poverty and will face serious challenges in their ability to be self-sufficient in the state's fiscal crisis. We will be working closely with the Annie E. Casey Foundation on the release of the national KIDS COUNT report and with state partners in the discussion of economic self-sufficiency for Georgia's families. Family Connection is committed to supporting families and strengthening communities.

Over the past several months we have been tested in our commitment to our core concepts of local decision-making, accountability, and collaboration-and support for those have remained in tact. Expectations of our work have increased and we will be challenged to continue support for children and families in the midst of decreasing revenues in our state. We are anxious to meet and exceed these expectations and continue to find creative solutions that will improve results for children and families in Georgia. With all of us working together, we will be successful.