SR 220: Black Child Development Institute; congratulate

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a bill that changes any law. It recognizes the Black Child Development Institute as a recipient of the Georgia Reads Community Award, given by the Georgia Council on Literacy to communities that build sustained partnerships to improve literacy. The resolution describes the organization's Read to Succeed program, which helps families build home libraries of culturally responsive, age-appropriate children's books for kids from birth to age eight. It also credits partnerships with groups like the United Way of Greater Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, and the Atlanta Speech School's Rollins Center for Language and Literacy. The Senate directs its Secretary to send a copy of the resolution to the Institute as a formal token of recognition.

• Formally congratulates and commends the Black Child Development Institute for receiving the Georgia Reads Community Award.
• Recognizes the organization's Read to Succeed program, which provides families with home libraries of children's books.
• Credits the Institute's partnerships with groups including the United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the Institute.
• Creates no new law, funding, or requirement; it is a ceremonial statement of praise.

The Black Child Development Institute and its partner organizations, including the United Way of Greater Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, and the Atlanta Speech School's Rollins Center for Language and Literacy.

The resolution carries no legal or funding effect, but it gives official state recognition to a community literacy program, which can raise its public profile and highlight the partnerships behind efforts to improve early childhood reading in Georgia.

• The resolution recites the purpose of the Georgia Reads Community Award, given to community partnerships sustained at least three years with measurable literacy results.
• It names the Black Child Development Institute as an award recipient for work on early literacy for children from birth to age eight.
• It describes the Read to Succeed program's focus on culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate home libraries.
• The final resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Institute.

1. 2025-02-20Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-19Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)Primary sponsor
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)

• literacy programs
• early childhood education
• legislative honors
• community organizations