Deal names Child Welfare Reform Council members
Gov. Nathan Deal today named the list of those who will serve on the Child Welfare Reform Council, which was recently created to improve our child welfare system and better protect Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens.
“With this council now in place, it is our hope to uncover new approaches that will strengthen our child welfare system and ensure that Georgia’s children are given the best shot at a good life,” Deal said. “These appointees have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of children, and I feel confident that together they will produce meaningful and thoughtful reform recommendations.”
The council will convene throughout the remainder of this year to complete a comprehensive review of the Division of Family and Children Services and advise the governor on possible executive agency reforms and legislative fixes if necessary. Stephanie Blank will chair the council and will work in conjunction with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Human Services.
Council members are listed below:
|
Name |
Title |
Organization |
City |
|
Ashley Willcott |
Executive Director |
Office of the Child Advocate |
Dunwoody |
|
Judge Steve Teske |
Chief Judge |
Juvenile Court of Clayton County |
Jonesboro |
|
Judge Peggy Walker |
Juvenile Court Judge |
Juvenile Court of Douglas County |
Douglasville |
|
Melissa Carter |
Director |
Barton Child Law and Policy Center |
Decatur |
|
Donna Hyland |
President and CEO |
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta |
Atlanta |
|
Dr. Cheryl Dozier |
President |
Savannah State University |
Savannah |
|
Meredith Ramaley |
Detective |
Smyrna Police Department |
Smyrna |
|
Heather Rowles |
Executive Director |
Multi-Agency Alliance for Children(MAAC) |
Atlanta |
|
Tyra Walker |
WinShape Homes Director |
Chick-fil-a, Inc |
Jonesboro |
|
Crystal Williams |
Founding Member |
EmpowerMEnt & Former Foster Youth |
Atlanta |
|
Lamar Burkett |
Foster Parent & Advocate |
Moultrie |
|
|
Bob Bruder-Mattson |
Chief Executive Officer |
The United Methodist Children’s Home |
Roswell |
|
Valerie Condit |
School Social Worker |
Fulton County Schools |
Atlanta |
|
Duaine Hathaway |
Executive Director |
Georgia CASA |
Newnan |
|
Carolyn Hugley |
State Representative |
Georgia General Assembly |
Columbus |
|
Valerie Clark |
State Representative |
Georgia General Assembly |
Lawrenceville |
|
Wendell Willard |
State Representative |
Georgia General Assembly |
Sandy Springs |
|
Freddie Powell Sims |
State Senator |
Georgia General Assembly |
Albany |
|
Burt Jones |
State Senator |
Georgia General Assembly |
Jackson |
|
Fran Millar |
State Senator |
Georgia General Assembly |
Dunwoody |