ATLANTA — Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) Director Bobby Cagle is calling on members of Middle Georgia's faith and nonprofit community to help strengthen the state's support of vulnerable children and families.

Cagle and Stephanie Blank, chairwoman of Governor Nathan Deal's Child Welfare Reform Council, are seeking feedback and partnership on the Division's Blueprint for Change, a three-tiered reform effort that seeks to strengthen Georgia's child welfare system and buttress supports to vulnerable families.

Cagle and Blank will present the plan to faith and nonprofit leaders Thursday, Sept. 29 at The Methodist Home at 204 Pierce Ave. in Macon. The meeting is hosted in conjunction with the Department of Human Services (DHS) Faith and Community Alliance. 

“The number one priority of the Division of Family and Children Services is the safety of children," said Cagle. "The faith and nonprofit communities are integral to our efforts to be sure our children are in safe and loving homes and our vulnerable families are connected to resources that can help them thrive. We need their partnership."

The meeting with faith and nonprofit leaders is also an effort to connect local DFCS staff with nonprofits and faith institutions that would like to partner with the agency to recruit and support foster parents and provide additional support to vulnerable families in their communities.

The Faith and Community Alliance meeting is part of Cagle's Blueprint for Change roadshow, an effort to connect with local law enforcement, foster parents and foster care providers, DFCS staff, foster youth and the public about efforts to strengthen Georgia's support of vulnerable children and families.

Cagle will be meeting with stakeholders in Macon as part of the roadshow beginning Tuesday Sept. 27 through Friday Sept 30.

For more information on the meeting, contact Dr. Willie Myles, statewide coordinator for the DHS Faith and Community Alliance, or visit www.dhs.georgia.gov.