Editorial

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

It's that time of year when we stop to count our blessings, treasure our loved ones, and reflect on our life's work in the world. It is absolutely astounding to conceive that a brand new year is only two weeks away. Where has the time gone? What a year it has been!

This issue of Connected highlights the 2006 Georgia KIDS COUNT Tour, one of our finest moments of the year. Family Connection Partnership released Georgia KIDS COUNT this fall and conducted a series of community forums in eight cities across the state. The response was phenomenal. Participants remarked at the timeliness of the Tour and the importance in linking child well-being to public policy, and to our state budget and revenues.

Though our Georgia KIDS COUNT report shows that children and families continue to face a multitude of challenges, we know improvements are being made through the collaborative work of local leaders, citizens, state agency staff, and the business and faith-based community. This collaborative work, made possible by Family Connection, must continue if we are to truly address the challenges faced by children and families, and to make significant strides in building stronger communities.

We are pleased to announce that Connected e-magazine will undergo a makeover and the new format will launch in spring 2007. If you would like to be part of the new Connected e-zine or provide feedback, please contact Bill Valladares, our communications coordinator.

We also look forward to working with newly elected state leaders and continue to build our relationship with our legislature in 2007. Planning is underway for our 9th biennial Family Connection Conference scheduled for October in Athens. The theme "Community Improvement: Tools of the Trade" marks our deliberate plan to enhance and share the community development/improvement dialogue with our partners in the community/economic development field. The future of Georgia and the health of our communities are not just contingent on a strong economy and tax base, but also on the health and well-being of the children and families who live here.

I look forward to working with you in 2007 as we continue to advocate for, and support, the collaborative effort as best practice in addressing the needs of children and families.

Happy Holidays to you!