HR 203: Youth Villages; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, not a law that changes any statute. It recognizes Youth Villages, a national nonprofit founded in 1986 that works with children, families, and young adults, for its work since it began operating in Georgia in 2009. The resolution highlights the organization's Inner Harbour Campus in Douglasville, a psychiatric residential treatment facility undergoing $70 million in construction and renovations, along with its Intercept in-home family program and LifeSet program for young people leaving foster care. It also notes Youth Villages' partnerships with several Georgia state agencies. The resolution directs the Clerk of the House to prepare a copy for distribution to Youth Villages as a formal commendation.

• Formally congratulates and commends Youth Villages, its staff, and its volunteers on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
• Recites the organization's history in Georgia since 2009 and its statewide programs, including the Inner Harbour Campus and the Intercept and LifeSet programs.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Youth Villages.
• Creates no new statutory requirements, funding, or penalties; it is a symbolic statement rather than a change to Georgia law.

Youth Villages, its staff, and volunteers are the direct subjects of the commendation. The resolution also references Georgia families and children served by the organization's programs, as well as the state agencies it partners with, including the Departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Community Health, Education, and Human Services.

Because this is a commendation resolution rather than legislation, it does not change any law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical effect is limited to giving Youth Villages official legislative recognition for its work with Georgia children and families.

• The resolution's preamble ('WHEREAS' clauses) details Youth Villages' founding, mission, and 2024 Georgia footprint of over 5,500 people served in 15 years.
• The resolved clause formally conveys the House's congratulations and commendation to Youth Villages, its staff, and volunteers.
• A further resolved clause authorizes and directs the Clerk of the House to produce a copy of the resolution for distribution to the organization.
• Contains no enforcement mechanism, funding appropriation, or effective date, consistent with its purpose as a commemorative resolution.

1. 2025-02-06House Read and Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2025-02-06House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2025-02-06House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Mary Oliver (D, HD-084)Patrocinador principal
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Debbie Buckner (D, HD-137)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)

• legislative commendation
• child welfare
• foster care services
• Youth Villages
• Georgia House resolutions