Support Parent Leadership month

Parent Leadership Month is a time to promote the meaningful and authentic roles of parent leaders, and to also recognize the important role parents play in raising healthy families in their homes and communities. This year especially, the Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) honors parents for their efforts and sacrifices to keep their families strong as they worked, taught and responded to new challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

This month highlights the opportunities available for parents, through intentional partnerships within the child welfare system, to educate others on programs and services that support safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. Parent experiences can also provide invaluable knowledge that helps to improve policies designed to strengthen and support families. Who better understands how to build resiliency and meet the needs of families through programs and services than parents contributing their expertise from their lived experiences? 

To build successful partnerships with parent leaders within the Division, DFCS formed the Georgia Parent Advisory Council (GAPAC). 

The role of the GAPAC is to advise DFCS about making changes to child welfare services and systems, particularly child abuse prevention programming. The GAPAC is a sounding board for decisions, ideas and questions that help shape the future of DFCS. The Division selected a group of parents from across the state who have a range of expertise and personal experiences using community-based prevention services or experience within the child welfare system to serve on the Georgia Parent Advisory Council.

For more information on joining the GAPAC, please contact Lindsey Dale at [email protected].