Challenge to Candidates during National Foster Care Month

This is “National Foster Care Month” and on May 5th Lawrenceville Mayor, Judy Jordan Johnson, signed a proclamation making May 17th “Gwinnett County Foster Parent Appreciation Day.” 

As a foster parent who adopted two children through the Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children Services, I am personally pleased to see Foster parents finally getting the recognition they deserve.   In a county of over 800,000 residents, its a sad commentary when there are only 50 Gwinnett foster families and even less families willing and able to adopt children living in the foster system.  That equates to approximately 9 children per foster home, leaving too many children waiting in group homes.  These are very disappointing numbers for a county where our leaders and politicians talk about “conservative and traditional family values”.

During this “Foster Care Month” we need our government officials writing checks, not just proclamations.   As State Senator I will make Georgia's foster children a priority, and I challenge our elected officials and all current candidates to commit to fully funding Georgia’s Foster Care System.  

We need to insure that Georgia’s most vulnerable children have quality healthcare, adequate school clothing, books, school lunches, and all the tools and support they would receive in a stable home environment.  These children are victims, not moochers, and they are not in the foster care system by their own choice or actions.   These children were removed from their homes, with little or no notice, and often with nothing but the clothing on their backs.   

Just as important, we need to recruit, train and support qualified foster and adoptive families, including same-sex couples, unmarried partners in long-term stable relationships, and seniors.  This is not a LGBT rights issue, this is a children’s rights issue.   Every child deserves a stable, nurturing home; and, with only 50 approved foster families in a county of 800,000 residents, it is absolutely clear that we cannot afford to disqualify good, loving foster or adoptive parents based biases or bigotry. 

As State Senator I will support legislation guaranteeing children’s rights, including the right to adoption when a qualified, willing and able family is available.  I will support legislation that legalizes same-sex joint adoption by couples in long term stable relationships.  

I will also oppose any attempt to privatize Georgia’s foster care system and allow corporations to profit from having children placed and maintained in a foster care system.  

I challenge the Republican candidates in the State Senate District 9 primary to join me on this issue and do what is right for Georgia’s foster children.  This is not a Republican vs. Democrat issue; it is a right vs. wrong issue. ”