Georgia Parent Support Network, Inc.
Georgia Parent Support Network (GPSN) is a grassroots family-run non-profit organization established in 1989. GSPN has worked on the premise that families are key to systems change and believes that families are the best and most effective agents for change. GPSN was founded in response to the lack of knowledge about services and actual lack of services that address the needs of children with mental illness, emotional disturbances, and behavioral differences.
Our Goal:
To create a community-based network of support for parents of children living with severe emotional disturbances and behavioral difficulties that facilitates sharing of information, ideas, and problem-solving.
To advocate in the public forum on local, state, and federal levels for comprehensive, coordinated, community-based, and family-driven mental health services for children and adolescents.
To increase public awareness about the needs and conditions of children and adolescents who live with severe emotional disturbance to reduce the stigma of mental illness. To foster collaboration among parents, clients, and professionals.
To administer programs and services that meet the needs of children living with emotional and/or behavioral disturbances and fill in the gaps existing in the continuum of Georgia's mental health system.
Services and information
- Traditional Foster Care
- Specialized / Therapeutic Care
- Emergency Foster Care
- Respite Foster Care
Requirements to become a foster parent
The DHS assists foster families with placement and ensures the child adjusts well to their new environment. Whether you have years of parenting experience or are relatively new to the idea, they have many support options for families. You can find plenty of information on the DHS/DFCS website or call them for more assistance.
Your local licensed child placement agency also places children in the foster system with carefully matched parents. Although foster care is temporary, it's crucial to find the right fit. That's why parents get a say in age range and gender.
There are also many state support groups for foster families that provide educational resources, services, and more. Connecting with these organizations and adding to your personal support network will be invaluable.
One of the best ways to become a better parent, whether you plan on fostering a child short-term or adopting, is to read as much as you can about Georgia's foster system. For instance, recently proposed bills would help to streamline parts of the state's foster care placement system.
You can find plenty of information available online for free as well. Blogs, podcasts, and videos are all incredibly useful ways to obtain new information about fostering.
Ratings and Reviews
Average user rating
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Jun 30, 2021
Great place..awesome foster care agency
Sep 19, 2019
Love the staff
Dec 02, 2018
A1 certified
Nov 01, 2017
Well kept secret resource