ATLANTA – State Representative Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), Chairman of the Study Committee on Children’s Mental Health and the Study Committee on Postsecondary Education and Employment Options for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, recently held inaugural meetings for both study committees at the State Capitol.
“Each of these meetings initiated the process of crucial conversations regarding children’s mental health and employment and educational opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Georgia,” said Rep. Dempsey. “I appreciate all of the work that has been done thus far in the areas of mental health and disability services in our state, but there is no doubt that we can do more, and over the course of our next several meetings, both of these study committees will delve into these topics in order to achieve this goal. It is my hope that the knowledge we gain will lend itself to the creation of appropriate legislation during future legislative sessions.”
The Study Committee on Children’s Mental Health was established by House Resolution 641 and will study available resources for children with mental health issues in this state and identify possible solutions or improvements in the delivery of services, particularly concerning early intervention and prevention services.
The Study Committee on Postsecondary Education & Employment Options for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities was established by House Resolution 642 and will study how to best create postsecondary educational opportunities for Georgians with disabilities and explore the creation and implementation of an “Employment First” policy which provides that employment should be the first and preferred option for all people, regardless of their disability.
For more information on the Study Committee on Children’s Mental Health, and to view a video recording of the committee’s first meeting, please click here.
For more information on the Study Committee on Postsecondary Education and Employment Options for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and to view a video recording of the committee’s first meeting, please click here.
Representative Katie Dempsey represents the citizens of District 13, which includes portions of Floyd County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and currently serves as the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources. She also serves on the, Economic Development & Tourism, Energy, Utilities, & Telecommunications, Health & Human Services, Higher Education, Rules, and Transportation committees.
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