Governor Nathan Deal names Child Welfare Reform Council members

 Deal names Child Welfare Reform Council members

Gov. Nathan Deal today named the list of those who will serve on the Child Welfare Reform Council, which was recently created to improve our child welfare system and better protect Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens.

“With this council now in place, it is our hope to uncover new approaches that will strengthen our child welfare system and ensure that Georgia’s children are given the best shot at a good life,” Deal said. “These appointees have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of children, and I feel confident that together they will produce meaningful and thoughtful reform recommendations.”

The council will convene throughout the remainder of this year to complete a comprehensive review of the Division of Family and Children Services and advise the governor on possible executive agency reforms and legislative fixes if necessary. Stephanie Blank will chair the council and will work in conjunction with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Human Services.

Council members are listed below:

Name

Title

Organization

City

Ashley Willcott

Executive Director

Office of the Child Advocate

Dunwoody

Judge Steve Teske

Chief Judge

Juvenile Court of Clayton County

Jonesboro

Judge Peggy Walker

Juvenile Court Judge

Juvenile Court of Douglas County

Douglasville

Melissa Carter

Director

Barton Child Law and Policy Center

Decatur

Donna Hyland

President and CEO

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Atlanta

Dr. Cheryl Dozier

President

Savannah State University

Savannah

Meredith Ramaley

Detective

Smyrna Police Department

Smyrna

Heather Rowles

Executive Director

Multi-Agency Alliance for Children(MAAC)

Atlanta

Tyra Walker

WinShape Homes Director

Chick-fil-a, Inc

Jonesboro

Crystal Williams

Founding Member

EmpowerMEnt & Former Foster Youth

Atlanta

Lamar Burkett

Foster Parent & Advocate

 

Moultrie

Bob Bruder-Mattson

Chief Executive Officer

The United Methodist Children’s Home

Roswell

Valerie Condit

School Social Worker

Fulton County Schools

Atlanta

Duaine Hathaway

Executive Director

Georgia CASA

Newnan

Carolyn Hugley

State Representative

Georgia General Assembly

Columbus

Valerie Clark

State Representative

Georgia General Assembly

Lawrenceville

Wendell Willard

State Representative

Georgia General Assembly

Sandy Springs

Freddie Powell Sims

State Senator

Georgia General Assembly

Albany

Burt Jones

State Senator

Georgia General Assembly

Jackson

Fran Millar

State Senator

Georgia General Assembly

Dunwoody