February 14, 2022

Calling all Georgia parents eager to support their communities

February is National Parent Leadership Month, a time to recognize the important role of parents in raising healthy families in their homes and communities. Over the past two years in particular, DHS’ Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) thanks parents for their efforts and sacrifices to keep their families strong as they worked, taught and responded to new challenges presented by the pandemic. 

Parent leadership can also go beyond the household and individual community. DFCS strives to build effective partnerships with Georgia parents through the Georgia Parent Advisory Council, which advises DFCS on making changes to child welfare services and systems, particularly child abuse prevention programming. The council is a sounding board for decisions, ideas and questions that help shape future decisions at the agency. It’s comprised of parents from across the state with a range of expertise and personal experiences in using community-based prevention services or experience within the child welfare system. 

We are currently recruiting for the Georgia Parent Advisory Council and invite nominations of and applications from interested parents living in DFCS Regions 2, 8 and 9. 

We encourage applications from: 

  1. Fathers 
  2. Kin caregivers 
  3. Parents who have experience with community-based prevention services such as parent support groups, home visiting programs, family or community resource centers, etc. 
  4. Parents with previous involvement in the child protective services system with a case that has been closed for at least eight months
  5. Parents in recovery for at least 18 months
  6. Foster and adoptive parents

All candidates must complete an application. Applications may be submitted online here or in writing to Lindsey Dale, PCS Program Specialist and Georgia Parent Advisory Council Liaison at [email protected].

Through intentional partnerships within child welfare, parents can help educate others on programs and services that support safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments. The experiences of parents can provide invaluable knowledge that can be used to improve policies designed to strengthen and support families.