Rep. Stovall's Thanksgiving Thoughts: Is It Fair?

As we gather with our family and friends for another joyful holiday, my mind is uneasy about the future of our youth. Are we as a community ensuring they have access to resources or are we waiting on somebody else to do it. EDUCATION is the foundation of success and a part of our daily lives. How can we sleep or celebrate knowing there are children whose futures aren't bright? I have an enlightened understanding of education in Georgia because I have been afforded the opportunities to be a member of the Education Reform Commission, Sub-committee on Early Education, Post-Secondary Options for Individuals w/ Disabilities committee, House Education committee, Clayton State Univ. Dean of Science Advisory Council, most recently Quality Rated Advisory committee, and most importantly I AM A PARENT, AUNT, and COUSIN. I can look at the topics with "opened eyes" so here are a few questions I will pose to each of my subscribers to ponder on as you enjoy this holiday. Feel free to reply with your answers to contact@gostovall.com

• If you are a community leader (elected or not), have you done all within your power to ensure our youth have the best access to education? Name 3 things you have done or plan to do.
• Is it fair for parents to be ignored when questioning the school system on the quality of education they expect? Name 1 thing you have done or expect to do to make this process easier. 
• Is it fair for children enrolled in underperforming schools to be forced to attend because of their school zoning? Most of those parents can't afford to move to the better neighborhoods. What are you doing to help those children despite their economic status or parent involvement? Have you contacted the principal or superintendent in your school district to offer your skills & talents? Was it a positive or discouraging interaction?  

There have been many changes made in how education will be delivered since I took office in 2013 and many more proposed for the future. Check out the Education Reform Commission Sub-Committee Recommendations made on 11-19-15 click here

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE MORE INVOLVED? IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Join me at the 2016 Educate Georgia Summit on Jan. 25th-26th when Georgians converge on the State Capitol. Come make History with us! Free & Open to the public
More information www.educatega.com
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This event is open to Faith Based Organizations in Clayton as well. We guarantee you will leave with new information.

Rep. Stovall's Legislation for 2015-16
HB 614 "Landon Dunson Act" Video Cameras in Classrooms of Children w/ Special Needs was introduced during 2015 session. Read more about it & like Facebook page HB-614-Landon-Dunson-Act . We are looking for families and teachers who would like to share their stories. We will be hosting townhall meetings. * The townhall meeting on Thurs. Nov. 14th at Zoo Atlanta was a success. We were able to hear from the concerns of educators, advocates and parents. NEXT TOWNHALL MTG: Join us on Sat. Jan. 9, 2016 at Clayton State University East Campus 10:30am-12pm 5823 Trammell Rd., Morrow 30260. This is open to the public.

HB 497 "Nonprofits Surplus Property" was introduced during 2015 session. This bill would allow Georgia 501 (c) (3) nonprofits w/ less than 15 employees to receive surplus property (equipment, furniture, etc.) at no cost for items w/ fair market value of $2,000 or less. This will allow these great organizations to better serve our communities with items Georgians have already paid for once but are no longer in need by local and state government entities. Click here for more information HB497 

Are you a nonprofit in Clayton County or serve our communities? Please complete the Nonprofit Survey which was established by my office and a group of nonprofit leaders maintained by Clayton State University Center for Community & Justice Studies. Click here 
South Georgia Nonprofit Collaboration Network is offering assistance to nonprofits whether start-up or established. Contact Ms. Tom McBeth 404-216-7795 or email: temcbeth@bellsouth.net 

Providing Legislative Updates to the Community
Rep. Stovall enjoys speaking to organizations, schools, and churches throughout Georgia especially within District 74. These opportunities allow her to share information on resources available by government and private entities to enhance the overall community.  Please don't hesitate to contact her for your next upcoming event by email: valencia.stovall@house.ga.gov phone: 404-656-0314

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
House Study Committee Minutes: When legislators are contemplating the affect legislation will have on Georgians, study committees are formed to hear from experts and constituents about the bills. This year Rep. Stovall served on 2 House Study Committees which she felt the most passionate towards.
~ Post-Secondary Options for Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (just because a student is disabled doesn't mean he/she can't attend college or have gainful employment).
~ Fibroids Education & Awareness (affects of Fibroids on women of color, causes, and treatment)
These meetings were open to the public. You can view the videos of the meetings along with presentations. Click here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's not too late to make your campaign contributions to Rep. Stovall. Help to support her initiatives in the community by donating financially any amount. Click here