AdvOCAcy : your child welfare update, 2020 February

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

February 2020

Page 1

Georgia's First Lady Leading the Fight Against Trafficking
Interviewed by Jansen Head, OCA Deputy Director

First Lady Marty Kemp is leading the fight against human trafficking in Georgia and does not hesitate to speak for those who are still trapped in such an evil industry. In creating the Georgians for Refuge, Action, Compassion, and Education (GRACE) Commission, Mrs. Kemp is turning conversations into actions and she has been Georgia's First Lady for only a little over a year. I recently had the honor to meet with her and learn how she quickly became a strong and distinguished advocate on this issue:

Before Governor Kemp was sworn into office, what did you know or hear about human trafficking in general?

"Honestly, I didn't know anything about human trafficking. I didn't hear or see anything about it until last year on January 2nd. That day, Brian, the girls, and I were at a press conference at the Atlantic Station where we kicked off National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The Super Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was about a month away, so the issue of child sex trafficking was gaining more attention in Georgia. At the press conference, there were 72 school buses that represented the 3,600 children taken into trafficking in Georgia each year. It was shocking. I am a visual learner and that was such a powerful message to me. I've never seen anything like that before. I wanted to know more about trafficking so I reached out to several experts who are now on the GRACE Commission and we hit the ground running. That was just a prime example of the saying, `Once you learn something, then go out and do something about it.' So far, the GRACE Commission has had three successful meetings, amplified the voices of
See FIRST LADY, Page 10

OCA Deputy Director Jansen Head with First Lady Marty Kemp at the Governor's Mansion.

>>>> YOUTH VOICE <<<< The unedited voices of young people who have been in foster care

By Gio Carranza

"Nothing About us Without us!" This motto rings loud and

President, Georgia

clear across all of Empowerment's programs as it does our Policy

EmpowerMEnt Policy Council.

Council

My name is Edgar Giovani Carranza and I am Georgia EmpowerMEnt's

Policy Council's President. I have had my own experiences of being in and out of foster care

throughout my childhood and teenage years. At age 26, as a Latino Interior Designer, I am

incredibly proud of our council members and the collective experiences that allow us to push

forward in the fight to aid our brothers and sisters while simultaneously pursuing our own passions and en-

deavors. We are diverse in ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, ages and identities. Most importantly we all

have had experiences in having been in foster care whether currently or formerly. As a See VOICE, Page 9

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children
February 2020

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update
Page 2

What Type of Therapy Speaks to You?

People respond to therapy in their own way. Some people respond well to talk therapy and others may benefit from additional types of therapy. Like a number of programs serving Georgia's children in foster care, Hillside offers a variety of therapy opportunities in addition to talk therapy. Amongst these are animal-assisted therapy and horticulture therapy. OCA Director Rachel Davidson recently had an opportunity to observe an animal-assisted therapy session and
tour the facilities used for horticulture therapy.

Leia is Hillside's therapy dog. She sat patiently through a conversation about dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and also got to enjoy a lot of love from residents during a mindfulness activity designed to help them feel grounded. This activity led into a discussion about how to work through situations where they might feel frustrated. Leia was an excellent (and adorable!) assistant!

Horticulture therapy is focused on gardening and the out-

doors and is accompanied by therapeutic discussions. Hillside

has multiple gardens and a greenhouse throughout their

property which allows youth to grow some of the food and herbs that they are then able

to eat! Other horticulture therapy activities include making bird seed ornaments, observ-

ing the different birds that come to feed from the orna-

See THERAPY, Page 4

Youth (and Adult) Advocates at Work

Youth advocates are an integral part to effecting improvements to the child welfare system. Pictured are a sampling of how some spent their time advocating this month. Thank you for your efforts and thank you to those who take the time to listen and support these youth advocates!

Cara Cole Heerde at CASA Day at the Capitol with Justice Nahmias and OCA Director Rachel Davidson

Leslie McClain with Governor Kemp and OCA Director Rachel Davidson

Leslie McClain with Supreme Court Justice David Nahmias
and Justice Charlie Bethel

Youth and adult advocates at MAAC Day at the Capitol

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

February 2020

Page 3

Mental Health Day at the Georgia Capitol
By Jansen Head, OCA Deputy Director

Georgia's Behavioral Health Services Coalition joined with behavioral health peers and allies at the Georgia Freight Depot and the State Capitol for the annual gathering of Mental Health Day on February 7th. Over 1,000 attendees gathered to hear from Georgia's mental health peers and leaders and to learn about the opportunities and challenges facing the behavioral health community in 2020.
State Representative Sharon Cooper spoke about mental health and her experience with this issue within her family. She explained that this issue touches all of us that state legislators are like anyone else in the room: they are not "special" but rather, like any one of us, they "grow up with trials and tribulations." She further explained that as state legislators, they bring their own experiences to the work they do at the capitol, noting her experience as a nurse. "Whether you see us in the press or not....we are there for you. We are out there talking to our colleagues about mental illness. You're not alone. There are those of us who think of you daily. You and your needs are our primary focus as we work at the Capitol," she said.
State Senator Jen Jordan emphasized the importance of having advocates on mental health issues. "The budget is a real challenge this year unfortunately, but you do have advocates fighting for you under the gold dome every day." Senator Jordan encouraged us to "understand the power of story telling and the power of showing up". She explained, "Before I came here, I never called my senator and representative because I thought they were busy and didn't have time to hear what I had to say. Then, I got there and realized how important it is to have advocates down here. I know it can be intimidating...pulling people from the ropes and talking to people. But just being there, showing up, and talking to people makes the difference. It's about speaking the truth and about who you are. Please keep coming. This is going to be a fight this year."

During the gathering at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot, several artists shared their talents on display to show and express how art has helped them overcome their personal challenges. One of the artists, Keith Walker, shared his story about how art has helped him with recovery and healing. He shared the name of his Facebook page named "Artistic Visuals by Keith" where he shares photos of artwork with some that are available for purchase. Pictured to the right is Keith Walker and some of the artwork he shared at the Georgia Freight Depot.

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children
February 2020

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update
Page 4

Robust Family Time Strengthens Relationships, Promotes Well-Being, and Expedites Reunification
The federal Children's Bureau released guidance earlier this month pertaining to "Family Time and Visitation for Children and Youth in Out-of-Home Care". Meaningful family time occurs when the parent and family participates in normal parenting activities in normal settings.
The guidance states in part, "The parent-child relationship is critical to the well-being of children and parents, except in the most egregious of situations where it would be harmful to the child. Ensuring that meaningful family time is a central component of every case plan for children in out-of-home care is a critical strategy for strengthening the parent-child relationship and promoting family well-being." The guidance further provides recommendations for those playing an essential role in protecting and strengthening the integrity of the parent-child relationship.
Additionally, the guidance highlights Georgia's comprehensive Family Time Practice Guide, which can be found here. Click here to read the full guidance. Do you have ideas on how Georgia can support more consistent quality family time? Share them with us: jhead@oca.ga.gov.

THERAPY, CONT'D...

ments, rock-

painting, cre-

ating fairy doors

and habitats,

painting with

"nature's paint-

brushes", creating flower ar-

Healthy foods to enjoy!

rangements and terrariums, raising butterflies,

One of the gardens where each cottage growing flowers for birds and bees, creating is responsible for their own section. mandalas and pine cone labyrinths, relaxing in For the fairy garden--a poignant representation from a

Make Your Own Bird Seed Ornaments!

a hammock in the garden, and outings to the Atlan-

child's point of view recognizing that there is always light in the darkness and darkness in the light.

3/4 cup flour 1 packet gelatin 1/2 cup water 3 tablespoons corn syrup Cayenne pepper 4 cups birdseed

ta Botanical Garden. Children also seem to enjoy looking for worms in the compost bins!

1/4 cup craisins Put into cookie cutter on

Benefits of these thera-

parchment paper. Make a hole with a

pies include reducing anxiety, providing

stick or straw. Let dry about 30 mins. And intellectual stimulation, supporting

remove cookie cutters. Continue to dry 24 emotional health, and building physical

hours to harden. Then place twine

and social skills. Learn more about

through the hole and hang on a tree.

Hillside's animal-assisted therapy here

and horticulture therapy here.

Fun and functional additions to the garden.

A child's reminder that things will get better: "Beyond this door is a better life."

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

February 2020

Page 5

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention

Dating violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, one in three teens in the United States is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a partner. While teen dating violence can happen to anyone, the majority of the violence affects young women between the ages of 16 and 24.
Many abusive partners may seem absolutely perfect in the early stages of a relationship. Those with abusive partners struggle to understand why their partners, who were once incredibly kind and loving, now treat them in hurtful and abusive ways. It can be confusing because the abuse isn't constant. Most partners are not abusive all the time, so it makes sense to think they could go back to being that "kind and loving" person and stay there. In most of these relationships, when a partner acts nice, it is really just that: an act. Possessive and controlling behaviors do not always appear overnight. Rather, these behaviors emerge and intensify as the relationship continues to grow. Domestic violence does not look the same in every relationship because every relationship is different. However, one thing most abusive relationships have in common is that the abusive partner does many different kinds of things to have more power and control over their partner. Click here to learn more about dating violence.

Warning Signs
of Dating Violence
Tells you that you can never do anything right Shows extreme jealousy of your friends and time
spent away Keeps you or discourages you from seeing friends
or family members Insults, demeans or shames you with put-downs Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you Controls who you see, where you go, or what you
do Prevents you from making your own decisions Prevents you from working or attending school Destroys your property or threatens to hurt or kill
your pets Intimidates you with guns, knives or other weap-
ons Pressures you to have sex when you don't want to
or do things sexually you're not comfortable with Pressures you to use drugs or alcohol

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children
February 2020

Receiving HOPE Center Now Open to Serve Trafficking Victims
As of February 27, 2020, Georgia's first residential intake center for trafficking victims is accepting referrals. The Receiving Hope Center, run by Wellspring Living, is available to provide short term care for children ages 1217 who have been identified as trafficking victims.

This center will house these children from across the state for up to 90 days while providing medical care, academic support, therapeutic and stabilization services. This facility will be able to serve up to 20 children at a time.

For more information, including how to make a referral, click here. To read more about the ribbon cutting ceremony, click here and here.

Governor Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, and Wellspring Living Director Mary Frances Bowley cut the ceremonial
ribbon. Photo credit: Marietta Daily Journal

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update
Page 6

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

February 2020

Page 7

In celebration of Black History Month, we reflect on and honor the accomplishments of several leaders and activists who made way to secure the rights and
freedoms we enjoy in our state and throughout the nation:

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

February 2020

Page 8

Former Governor Nathan Deal Receives Standing Ovation at Dedication of New Judicial Building
By Jansen Head, OCA Deputy Director

Former Governor Nathan Deal is well-known for the criminal justice reforms he advocated for and implemented during his eight years as governor. On February 11th, the new judicial building was dedicated as the Nathan Deal Judicial Center. Deal's two terms in office were highlighted by several preventive efforts to cut back on crime instead of bringing harsher penalties, including a number of accountability courts. "This building, hopefully, will be regarded as a
symbol that Georgia is a state that believes in part of its motto being `justice,'" he said. "This is a facility in which the people of this state, and their legal representatives will come seeking justice."

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said the new judicial building in Atlanta is a "majestic" building that pays homage to both the rule of law and the criminal justice reforms enacted by former Governor Nathan Deal. "It is my sincere and profound hope that it will become a true and bold symbol of liberty and equality for future generations," he said. "As magnificent as this building is now, what is done within its walls in the years to come will ultimately define it and us." He further said that the building's beauty "is only exceeded by its necessity and its importance."

Governor Brian Kemp said that naming the new judicial building after former Governor Deal was a testament to the changes Georgia has made to its legal system. "His work fundamentally changed the way we view nonviolent offenders, winning support from both sides of the aisle, and it set a standard across our country," he said. "His dedication to the redemption and rehabilitation of state prison inmates reaffirms the value that we place on second chances in our state."

The Nathan Deal Judicial Center is located at 330 Capitol Avenue SE, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. The new judicial enter is the first state building in the history of Georgia that is devoted entirely to the judiciary. Currently, the new building houses the Supreme Court of Georgia as well as the Court of Appeals. (Photo credits to Bryan Horn with the Office of the Governor).

Former Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and Governor Brian Kemp in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center.

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

February 2020

Page 9

VOICE, CONT'D...

collective group of bril-

liant individuals who are at different stages of

"normal" life we come together to bring about

the consequences of being in care while navi-

gating societal norms like career searching, pur-

suing higher education and ultimately finding our

own definition of happiness and stability.

Our Policy Council has gone into this decade and new year with 2020 clarity in what it is we want to achieve. We have everything from informative sessions on how exactly bills and laws are formed, to voting events that highlight the importance of selecting individuals that represent your needs and aspirations, as well as panels and conferences that speak on vulnerable experiences that shed light on how we can aim to improve collectively as a system of change.

Congratulations to the newest Child Welfare Law Specialists in Georgia!
Nazish Ahmed, JD, CWLS Flint Circuit Public Defender's Office, McDonough GA Tara-Anne Canada, JD, CWLS Gwinnett County Juvenile Court, Lawrenceville, GA Rhiannon Olliff, JD, CWLS DeKalb County Child Advocacy Center, Decatur, GA
For more information on the Child Welfare Law Specialist certification and to apply, click here.
Have You Completed Georgia's Human

Moving into the second half of my twenties I recognize that foster care and immigration have played a big role in not just my life but in many youth that look like me. In bringing my own experiences to the table I represent me, my younger brother and the thousands of Latino youth who are underrepresented even in the world of Foster Care. I am proud to lead this council into ringing louder than ever before because as we all know the fight is not over until all our youth have a sense of normalcy and are properly aided based on individual circumstance.
And through it all we stay grounded in knowing that although we speak as individuals, and selectively share our own stories, every time one of us speaks on an experience and memory, it resonates with each and every one of us. Because we know. We know how foster care has shaped us to be resilient and strong. We are diligent and we are capable. We are caring and we are passionate. But ultimately we are like the Japanese craft of Kintsugi, mending the broken pieces of our soul and life story with gold.
Edgar Giovani Carranza, Age 26 Georgia EmpowerMEnt Policy Council President Guatemalan Interior Designer in Atlanta

Trafficking Awareness Training?
In January 2020, First Lady Mary Kemp and the GRACE Commission, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, launched Human Trafficking Awareness Training for state employees and the general public. The training is free and available here. The online training course provides an understanding of how human trafficking affects Georgia and how each of us can be part of the solution to help eliminate human trafficking in our communities. Georgia believes in the power of knowledge and is committed to the ideal that an informed public is its best asset -- awareness is Georgia's strongest tool!
The learning objectives for this awareness training are to:
Provide an overview of what human trafficking is, including the various forms Provide examples of the groups involved in human trafficking Provide guidance on key indicators of human trafficking Highlight the various ways for reporting human trafficking
Training guides, a certificate template, videos and files with the training content are available here to include with your agency training program. Complete your training today and share the knowledge with your community!

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

February 2020

Page 10

FIRST LADY, CONT'D...

to them that human trafficking ence that often reminds you why raiswhether they see it or not is happen- ing awareness is important?

trafficking victims, and recently rolled ing in every area of the state. Human "I think of a person who thinks there's

out training on trafficking awareness trafficking may be a silent, hidden is- no other life for them. It's hard to see

in collaboration with the Department sue but advocates like you and me just one face for it because trafficking

of Administrative Services."

don't have to be. We're going to be can and has happened to so many

Why did you feel that the fight very clear, vocal, and transparent in people who are simply just human

against human trafficking needs to be fighting against this evil industry, hold- beings who need love and want to feel

a priority for the state?

ing perpetrators accountable, and sup- that they matter. I also think about

As I learned more about the issue, I knew we needed to do more as a state. We need to talk about it more and stand up and fight for those trapped in the shadows. No more hiding or brushing the subject aside.

porting our survivors and at-risk communities. This is a fight for life and dignity. It's the right thing to do. Each and every one of us can do something about this we just need to educate ourselves and our communities on what to look for and to report some-

that day, January 2, 2019, when I saw those school buses representing the number of children trafficked in Georgia each year. It's shocking every time I think about it. I remember listening to a survivor of trafficking at that press conference. She asked the audience to

What are some challenges you have thing if we see something. That alone imagine a young girl being snatched

faced in your fight against human can save someone's life. You can help from the front yard and no one

trafficking?

right now by taking our training about around her having any idea of what is

"As I travel throughout the state, I still meet people who aren't aware of the issue. They'll say something like, "Trafficking? That doesn't happen

trafficking awareness so that you know what it could look like in your community and know how to report it."

happening. Then she said that she was four years old when she was kidnapped from her front yard and sold into sex trafficking. I was shocked. I

here. That's a problem in Atlanta, the When you think about the voices you invited her to meet with me and oth-

airports, and other big cities but not have heard from survivors of traffickhere." And I don't hesitate to explain ing, is there a person or an experi-

See FIRST LADY, Page 12

Upcoming Events:

Saturdays in March: NAMI GA Family-to-Family course, Athens & Monroe. More info here. March 12: Georgia's Anti-Sex Trafficking Lobbying Day. More info here. March 22-25: National Conference on Juvenile Justice in Pittsburgh. More info here. March 25-29: Child Welfare League of America Conference and 100th Anniversary. More info here. April 25: Teen Dating Violence Summit in Thomson, GA. More info here. May 7: Children's Mental Health Day at the Georgia Freight Depot. More info here. June 25-26: Annual Georgia System of Care Academy at the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain. More info here. August 24-26: National Child Welfare Law Conference at the Baltimore Waterfront Marriott. Early registration is now open through April. More info here. September 16-18: Georgia Afterschool & Youth Development Conference in Athens. Registration opens on March 2nd. More info here.

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children
February 2020

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update
Page 11

Anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender can be a victim or perpetrator of domestic violence. It can happen to people who are married, living together or who are dating. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. It includes behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish or force them to behave in ways they do not want. It includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation. More info here.

Office of the Child Advocate
For Georgia's Children

AdvOCAcy
Your child welfare update

February 2020

Page 12

FIRST LADY, CONT'D...

tem are very vulnerable and experi- through. You never know when will be

ers at the Governor's Mansion to talk ence more changes in their lives than the last time you see them. I feel like

about what could have been done to we could ever imagine in a lifetime the world needs to show more love

help her and what we can do now for (i.e. schools, community, home envi- because we certainly need it."

those who are at risk or are in traffick- ronment, friends, family, etc.). With You have been traveling all over the

ing now. She's a strong advocate. Sur- that, kids in care are more at risk of state, meeting with several people

vivors are key to ending trafficking in the dangers of trafficking. How can and organizations, and continuing to

our state."

we better inform our youngest Geor- learn about trafficking in Georgia. All

From what you have seen and gians to protect themselves from of that can be mentally and physically

learned so far, what has been most getting pulled or manipulated into exhausting - How are you able to

shocking to you about human trafficking?

maintain the will and strength to

trafficking?

"We need to educate them on the keep fighting?

"The fact that human trafficking has dangers of human trafficking and what "Pray. I mean, I do. I pray that I am

happened and can happen in every to watch out for. We shouldn't wait to given the strength to keep fighting for

area of the state. We have 159 coun- react. We can be proactive and edu- them the survivors and those who

ties. We need more boots on the cate them now. We need to be sure to are at risk of being trafficked. And I

ground. We need more people edu- listen to our survivors and help them know that I will keep fighting. I am

cated on this issue in all areas of the to heal. We also need to show more determined to do this and I am not

state. Human trafficking is still hap- love. Love can change everything. And slowing down in this fight. To make a

pening. The average age of a child be- we all need it. I remember a little girl difference and help just one person -

ing trafficked is about 14 to 15 years telling me that the reason why she fell that is everything to me. One victim of

old. And regardless of age, some chil- victim to sex trafficking was because trafficking is one too many. I've been

dren are being trafficked by their par- her trafficker called her beautiful. She challenging other states to get on

ents. It's all shocking and heartbreak- told me that no one had ever told her board and encouraging other first la-

ing."

that before. That's why I tell my family dies throughout the nation to join me

In our experience, a lot of children involved with the child welfare sys-

and friends that I love them chance I get. You just never what they are thinking or are

every know going

in this fight. Individually, we can climb over mountains. But together, we can move them."

Georgia Office of the Child Advocate Rachel Davidson, Director 7 MLK Jr. Blvd, Ste. 347 Atlanta, GA 30334
For general inquiries, assistance, or to file a complaint, contact us by phone at (404) 656-4200 or on our website at https://oca.georgia.gov/webform/ request-oca-assistance-or-investigation
To submit a photo/article for the newsletter, contact Deputy Director Jansen Head at jhead@oca.ga.gov.

Join us on Social Media!
Facebook: @GeorgiaOfficeoftheChildAdvocate Twitter: @georgia_oca Instagram: @georgia_oca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gaoca/ YouTube: "Georgia OCA"