Georgia-2011-HR1648-Introduced

By: Representatives Ashe of the 56th, Coleman of the 97th, Talton of the 145th, Oliver of the 83rd, Stephens of the 164th, and others

Recognizing Normer Adams, Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children's (GAHSC) mission is to support at-risk children by strengthening the agencies that serve these children; and

WHEREAS, GAHSC is dependent on the efforts of dedicated volunteers and staff to carry out the mission of the association; and

WHEREAS, GAHSC desires to recognize from time to time the accomplishments and efforts of its loyal staff and volunteers; and

WHEREAS, in August of 1991, Normer Adams began his service as executive director with the then named Georgia Residential Child Care Association (GRCCA); and

WHEREAS, his attributes of hard work, sense for public policy, background as a licensed marriage and family therapist, speaking and writing skills, and ethical, philosophical, and experiential commitment to children and family well-being have served the association well; and

WHEREAS, GRCCA understood the importance of work with children and families in more than a residential setting, so it expanded its focus to include all services to children by reflecting it in its name, the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children; and

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Normer Adams, the association grew in numbers and influence and is seen by public policy leaders, the Governor's office, legislators, and other leaders as the premier private child welfare provider group for representing at-risk children and service providers in Georgia; and
WHEREAS, shepherded by the leadership of Normer Adams, GAHSC has embarked on a series of strategic initiatives that helped create such public policy creations as the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC), Inc., Community of Care, Georgia's First Placement/Best Placement, the Level of Care Placement Systems, and Systems of Care; and

WHEREAS, his work in supporting family centered practice has furthered the work of all child serving agencies in preventing children from coming into care and keeping them safer in their families of origin, while supporting these families in the care of their children; and

WHEREAS, his advocacy and lobbying efforts have furthered community engagement of Georgia's foster care system from 5 percent in 1991 to more than 50 percent in 2011, and family support and behavioral health services have shifted from exclusive government providers to mostly community based providers; and

WHEREAS, his advocacy has provided a voice for at-risk children where before there was little; and

WHEREAS, thanks to his dedicated work and his advocacy for responsible public child welfare and juvenile justice policy, countless numbers of at-risk children are safer today and better systems are in place; and

WHEREAS, Normer Adams has served the association for 20 years and has contributed immensely to its growth, strength, and influence for at-risk children and children and family serving agencies.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize Normer Adams and celebrate his 20 years of dedicated service to the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Normer Adams.