Georgia Children's Cabinet Visits the Coweta County Justice Center

Newnan, GA - On Thursday, August 21st, First Lady Sandra Deal, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and the Georgia Children's Cabinet supported Juvenile Justice Month by visiting the Coweta County Justice Center. The Justice Center implemented a series of programs with the help of Governor Deal’s juvenile justice reform incentive grants in an effort to reach out to at-risk youths in the area. The “Functional Family Therapy” and “Thinking for a Change” programs provide eligible youths the opportunity to stop crime and delinquency in their communities and overcome substance abuse and violence with proven, family-based strategies. The August 21st event highlighted these efforts and testimonies were heard of successful families who personally benefitted from the programs. Letters from parents were read by Dr. Kevin Freeman of Grace Harbour, Inc. where the parents praised the program and how their eyes were open to communication and change for the better, not only for their child, but for the entire family as well. Presiding judge, the Honorable Joseph Wyant, functional family therapist Joy Whitmore, and juvenile court coordinator Lisa Barton spoke of their program experiences as well, and how these grants are changing the lives of Newnan youth and families.