HR652: HR652 Georgia Community Service Boards; Community Service Boards' Day at the state capitol; February 16, 2025; recognize

25 LC 129 0352 House Resolution 652 By: Representatives Dempsey of the 13th, Cooper of the 45th, Oliver of the 84th, Jasperse of the 11th, and Gaines of the 120th A RESOLUTION Commending Georgia Community Service Boards and recognizing Feb ruary 16, 2025 as1 Community Service Boards' Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, Community Service Boards (CSBs) are created in O.C.G.A. § 37-2-6 et seq. as 3 public corporations and instrumentalities of the state to provide services for mental illness,4 intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or addictive diseases; and5 WHEREAS, there are 22 CSBs across Georgia whose Boards of Directors are appointed by6 the governing authorities of the counties within each CSB's service area; and7 WHEREAS, as a vital part of Georgia's Public Safety Net, CSBs serve eligible persons with8 serious mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or addictive diseases9 who have no insurance or have limited means to pay for treatmen t, while also serving10 individuals with Medicaid and, as capacity allows, those with other insurance; and11 WHEREAS, CSBs have established a sterling reputation throughout Georgia for improving12 the quality of life of many of this state's most vulnerable citizens by providing high-quality13 and cost-effective care; and14 H. R. 652 - 1 - 25 LC 129 0352 WHEREAS, nearly two million Georgians suffered from mental illn esses or addictive15 diseases in the past year, more than 320,000 experienced a serious mental illness in the past16 year, and there are more than 145,000 adults in Georgia with intellectual or developmental17 disabilities; and18 WHEREAS, the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB), located in19 Villa Rica, Georgia, serves as a unified voice for all 22 CSBs, providing policy and20 legislative advocacy on both state and national levels; and21 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding work of Georgia's CSBs22 be appropriately recognized for their immeasurable contribution s in delivering essential23 behavioral health and developmental disability services across our state.24 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that25 the members of this body commend Georgia's Community Service Bo ards for their many26 outstanding contributions on behalf of the citizens of Georgia and recognize February 16,27 2025, as Community Service Boards Day at the state capitol.28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized29 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to30 Georgia's Community Service Boards and the Georgia Association of Community Service31 Boards.32 H. R. 652 - 2 -