SR705: SR705 Georgia Community Service Boards; commend

26 LC 129 0789 Senate Resolution 705 By: Senators Strickland of the 42nd, Watson of the 1st, Hatchett of the 50th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Robertson of the 29th and others A RESOLUTION Commending Georgia Community Service Boards; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Community Service Boards (CSBs) are created in O.C.G.A. § 37-2-6 et seq. as 2 public corporations and instrumentalities of the state to provide services for mental illness,3 intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or addictive diseases; and4 WHEREAS, there are 22 CSBs across Georgia whose Boards of Directors are appointed by5 the governing authorities of the counties within each CSB's service area; and6 WHEREAS, as a vital part of Georgia's Public Safety Net, CSBs serve eligible persons with7 serious mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and/or addictive diseases8 who have no insurance or have limited means to pay for treatmen t, while also serving9 individuals with Medicaid and, as capacity allows, those with other insurance; and10 WHEREAS, CSBs have established a sterling reputation throughout Georgia for improving11 the quality of life of many of this state's most vulnerable citizens by providing high-quality12 and cost-effective care; and13 S. R. 705 - 1 - 26 LC 129 0789 WHEREAS, nearly two million Georgians suffered from mental illn esses or addictive14 diseases in the past year, more than 320,000 experienced a serious mental illness in the past15 year, and there are more than 145,000 adults in Georgia with intellectual or developmental16 disabilities; and17 WHEREAS, the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB), located in18 Villa Rica, Georgia, serves as a unified voice for all 22 CSBs, providing policy and19 legislative advocacy on both state and national levels; and20 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding work of Georgia's CSBs21 be appropriately recognized for their immeasurable contribution s in delivering essential22 behavioral health and developmental disability services across our state.23 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body24 commend Georgia's Community Service Boards for their many outstanding contributions on25 behalf of the citizens of Georgia.26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary if the Senate is authorized and directed to27 make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to Georgia's Community28 Service Boards and the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards.29 S. R. 705 - 2 -