Racially Rooted Policies | Halloween COVID Tips  |  New Human Trafficking Resources |  Trainings |  Julia Neighbors Leaves PCA Georgia

Calling all Georgia Child Advocates! Raising your voice during presidential elections or by reaching out to your state representative during Georgia's legislative session, you have the power to help implement equitable public policies that will directly impact the future development and well-being of Georgia’s youngest children. 
 
Encourage your colleagues, parents, and adult kids to make a plan to vote!

• Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students has created this voter guide in order to empower voters across the political spectrum to make informed decisions at the polls. 
• Georgia Appleseed's Voter Information Guide helps individuals understand the ins and outs of what is needed to successfully cast your ballot. 

---

Racism and Cash Assistance
The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) recently released a report examining Georgia's only program available to provide direct cash assistance to families in deep poverty, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). 

In 2019, only 1% of Georgia's population received cash assistance through TANF despite 13% of Georgians living in poverty. The limited access and use of TANF to provide cash assistance to families results from harmful stereotypes about people of color and racist policies that have eroded TANF's core purpose. GBPI's latest report, Cash Matters: Reimagining Anti-Racist TANF Policies in Georgia, explains why Georgia must study and reform its cash assistance policies through an anti-racist lens.

Halloween, But Make It COVID

Are you wondering about the best and safest way to enjoy Halloween with your family? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has outlined some steps you and your family can take to remain safe and have fun this year!

The Basics

• Remember to wear a mask and remain at least 6 feet apart from people who do not live with you
• Wash your hands (if you had a dime for every time you hear that right?!?!)

• Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters
• Give candy outside if possible
  • Create individually bagged candy treats for kids to grab
  • Set up a candy dispensary outdoors 
  • Take hand sanitizer

• If you decide to skip door-to-door this year, hide candy around your home for the kids to find
• Start new traditions--carving and decorating pumpkins!

New Connections Matter Trainers

Last week PCA Georgia and the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy trained 18 new Connections Matter trainers, in separate groups, to deliver the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) awareness and prevention curriculum across the state through a half virtual, half in-person training. 

Connections Matter is an in-person and virtual training designed to engage community members in building caring connections to:

• Improve resiliency,
• Prevent childhood trauma, and
• Understand how our interactions with others can support those who have experienced trauma.

Learn more or request a virtual training at www.ConnectionsMatterGA.org. 

• Video Recording on Protecting Children in Virtual Environments
• Virtual Mandated Reporting Guide for Educators

---

• 10 Minute Human Trafficking Overview
• Human Trafficking Hotline Number- 1-866-END-HTGA (1-866-363-4842)
• Georgia’s Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Technical Assistance Resource Guide (TARG). This resource guide provides basic support for schools and youth service organizations to implement age appropriate, evidence-based education prevention curriculum for children. 
• Community awareness training and resources are available through the International Human Trafficking Institute and Georgia Cares.