HR 308: Multi-Agency Alliance for Children; commend

House Resolution 308

By: Representatives Rice of the 139th, Ballinger of the 23rd, Dempsey of the 13th, Buckner of the 137th, Townsend of the 179th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Honoring and commending the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children is a nonprofit entity that was founded in Atlanta in 1996 by a group of nonprofit agencies serving at-risk children involved in the child welfare system; and

WHEREAS, the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children is often called "MAAC"; and

WHEREAS, MAAC coordinates people, resources, information, and a network of quality providers to create positive outcomes for vulnerable youth and families; and

WHEREAS, MAAC utilizes a seamless continuum of services and care in addressing the unique needs of each child, adolescent, and family, including behavioral health services and services that are trauma responsive and reflective of adolescent brain development, individualizing treatment and care and reducing the number of placements of children and youth in various out-of-home care settings while working towards ending duplication of services; and

WHEREAS, MAAC focuses its work on filling service gaps, building innovative solutions within the child welfare system, collaborating with partner agencies, and focusing on providing care coordination and other services that emphasize youth voice and choice; and

WHEREAS, MAAC and its members provide a variety of services to these children, adolescents, and families, including residential care through its child caring institutions, crisis continuum, specialized family foster care through child placing agencies, group homes, education success support, workforce development and career training, life skills training, and intensive psychiatric care; and

WHEREAS, MAAC serves youth throughout Georgia with a permanency-focused, collaborative, team-based approach through its Network Collaborative and high-fidelity wraparound PACT/Thrive Program while providing young adults who have experienced foster care with individualized development and skills in core areas, including leadership through Georgia EmpowerMEnt, financial education and savings support through Opportunity Passport® Matched Savings, career and employee development through Workforce Development, young parenting skills through Teen Parent Connection, and educational support through LEADS; and

WHEREAS, MAAC has achieved Council on Accreditation recognition, is a Sanctuary Certified Organization, and each of its member entities and affiliates utilizes national best practices and is accredited by a national accreditation body; and

WHEREAS, MAAC's current provider member entities are Creative Community Services Inc., Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Georgia, Georgia Baptist Children's Homes and Family Ministries Inc., Elks Aidmore, Goshen Valley, Hillside Inc., The Methodist Home, Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, and Youth Villages; and

WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this distinguished organization, including its member entities and affiliates, be appropriately recognized for the care it provides to Georgians.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor and commend the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children and its member entities and affiliates for their tireless, efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the children, adolescents, and families of this state. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children.