Every year the state must pass a budget
for the fiscal year. This year Governor
Sonny Perdue has asked each state
department to submit a budget making as
many cuts as possible. The Department
of Community Health has proposed the
elimination of Medicaid coverage for
mental therapy sessions. Although the
Governor did not include the proposal in
the current budget that is planned to go
before the General Assembly, it is still
possible to be included as revisions are
made. The budget must be passed
before this congressional session closes,
which will be in March or April. On
behalf of the Coweta FPA, I have made
several calls to both the House and the
Senate. Senator Mitch Seabaugh’s
assistant Amanda provided the above
information. I expressed the foster
parents’ concerns about possible
Medicaid cuts for mental therapy
sessions, and how crucial the funding is
for our children. I made Senator
Seabaugh’s office, as well as
Representative Lynn Westmoreland’s
office, aware of the negative effect this
would have for the children that we
foster. Both offices assured me that they
would pass along the message to the
Senator and to the Representative. I,
also, extended an invitation to Mr.
Seabaugh to attend one of our monthly
FPA meetings. Of course, she could not
commit him at this time. I encourage and
implore all of you to contact your
representatives in both the House and
the Senate to let them know your
feelings on possible Medicaid cuts in the
budget for fiscal year 2005. Depending
on where you live in Coweta County,
your representative may be different.
Please call the Georgia House of
Representatives at 404-656-5082, and
then call the Georgia Senate at 404-656-
0028. Ask to speak to your
representative according to where you
live. Please do this as soon as possible
before the budget is passed. The
General Assembly will have the final
vote for whatever version of the budget
is passed. Let your voice and the voice
of our children be heard and call your
representative today. Together we can
make the difference!
month… training for Feb. 17th fpa
meeting was led by Lisa Brewer from
the American Red Cross. The meeting
was an overview of both CPR and first
Aid. While we all hope that CPR is
something we never have to do, it
could be the best gift you ever give
someone else. An adult CPR course
will be offered by the Red Cross on
march 20,04 at the Mills Chapel
Church. Class times will begin
promptly by 9,10,11 A.M. Classes are
limited to 20 people each, so first come
first serve. You also have the option of
registering by calling the Coweta
County Chapter of the American Red
Cross @ 770-253-2056.
Business discussed at the meeting
included plans for the Easter Picnic
planed for April 10th at Plant Yates.
Thank you all for contributing plastic
Easter eggs for the party. We are
asking that you bring a single bag of
hard candy to the meeting in March.
Planed for May will be a spring/swap…
this will be an opportunity for foster
parents to bring spring clothing items
that no longer fit the children in your
home and exchange them for items
that do. There will also be toys,
furniture and other items for sale at a
reasonable price. Please contact
Danna Keith @ 770-304-9010 if you
have large items we can make
arrangements to get them to the sale
site.
Most foster children
under the age of five will
qualify for WIC. WIC
provides specific age
appropriate food items.
(This includes baby
formula)
For more information
phone 770-254-7405
Appointments take 3-4
weeks call as soon as
possible.
