Annual Report FY 2019

Leadership Message – July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019

This was an extraordinary year for Georgia Appleseed. We collaborated with partners to improve school climate, increase school-based behavioral health services, keep children in foster care in school, and enable low-income tenants to live in safe and healthy housing. We celebrated the continued expansion of school-based behavioral health services across the state with funding expected to increase coverage to approximately 20% of Georgia schools by 2020. The year culminated with the passage of a healthy housing bill championed by Georgia Appleseed. It is arguably the most important legislation for low-income tenants to become law in Georgia since the 1970s. 

As we reflect on the year and think about children and families we came to know through our advocacy, it is all too obvious that too many Georgia children experience injustices no child should have to endure. The heart of our work is ensuring children have what they need to succeed in school and stay out of the criminal justice system.

Beyond FY 2019, we will continue to work to ensure Georgia children have strong welcoming schools, receive the support they need when they experience trauma or mental health challenges, and live in safe and healthy housing. While Georgia has a long way to go, we are proud that Georgia Appleseed made a significant difference for our state’s children this past year.