Editorial

Editorial from the Desk of Gaye Morris Smith
Executive Director, Family Connection Partnership

Autumn is upon us, children are back in school, and the excitement builds as election day approaches. Now is the time to focus on connecting policy, funding, and research to improve the lives of children and families in Georgia.

In this issue of Connected, we preview the release of the Georgia 2006 KIDS COUNT Data Book, we welcome our five new board members, and we highlight enhancements to the Collaborative Webs. Planning for the 2007 Family Connection Conference is underway, so mark your calendars and plan on visiting the Classic Center in Athens Oct. 24 - 26, 2007. This issue of Connected also features various collaborative news and success stories that all grew from some kind of connection.

As citizens of Georgia we must all be held accountable for our actions that affect the well-being of children in this state. I invite you to participate in the 2006 Georgia KIDS COUNT Tour, a series of local community forums where Family Connection Partnership will show you what we all must do to make things better for our children. Then stay for lunch and let's talk about health coverage for all of Georgia's children at the PeachCare for All Kids Lunch 'N Learn.

Join us for either, or both, programs. The Georgia KIDS COUNT Tour and the PeachCare for All Kids Lunch 'N Learns are free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.

The 2006 Georgia KIDS COUNT Tour will stop in in Albany on Sept. 25 (KIDS COUNT Tour only), in Augusta on Oct. 4, in Columbus on Oct. 9 (Lunch 'N Learn only), in Marietta on Oct. 12, in Dalton on Oct. 13, in Macon on Oct. 17, in Waycross on Oct. 19, and in Savannah on Oct. 24.