United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta uses a nonpartisan, consensus-based approach to public policy that emphasizes shared
responsibility by individuals, families, businesses, communities and policymakers in achieving sustainable solutions to
human service challenges. We engage our corporate and foundation sponsors, donors, volunteers, civic leaders, community
partners and the United Ways of Georgia Association in evaluating policy issues. Recognizing that opportunities to partner
with policymakers arise through our own proposals as well as through those of others, we work year-round at the federal,
state and local levels to advance our mission and community impact goals highlighted below.
United Ways of Georgia 2008 Legislative Reception
Promoting 2-1-1 to harness the caring capacity of communities. 2-1-1 is an easily remembered designated dialing code that
allows callers to find or give help among community nonprofit, faith-based and public agencies through caring information
and referral professionals.
Ending homelessness among individuals and families through reunification to family support systems, holistic community-based
interventions, re-entry programs for those exiting the justice system, detention facilities and mental hospitals, supportive
housing subsidies, childcare, assistance in accessing mainstream benefits, community-based mental health and addictive
disease treatment, job training and employment.
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Preparing young children for school by supporting parents in their role as "first teachers," helping families and
neighborhoods promote the safety, health and care of children, expanding access to Pre-K and affordable quality childcare,
and providing tools to help parents and caregivers choose the best out-of-home childcare option, assess children's
developmental status and obtain appropriate interventions when needed.
Success in school among children and youth by promoting parental involvement in students' education, developing a network
of quality out-of-school programs and youth leadership opportunities, and strengthening supports for vulnerable students,
including children who are in poverty or homeless, children in foster care or the juvenile justice system, children with
disabilities, and children for whom English is a second language.
Financial stability for Georgians by promoting financial literacy, credit repair and affordable financial services,
affordable housing, opportunities to increase income through workforce development initiatives or micro-enterprises,
opportunities to build savings through the Earned Income Tax Credit and Individual Development Accounts, and
opportunities to build assets through homeownership, higher education or entrepreneurship.
Expanding supports for people at risk by strengthening family and neighborhood networks of care, in-home support
services, life skills access to health and mental health care, rehabilitation services and employment opportunities
to allow the aged and people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes.
Leveraging nonprofit and faith-based resources in disaster planning and response through 2-1-1 and the expertise of
Georgia's 36 United Way America affiliates and their partnerships with local nonprofit and faith-based agencies
delivering human services.
Promoting gifts of time, talent and resources to meet community human service needs by ensuring that Georgia's tax
and corporate codes are responsive to donations of volunteer leadership, in-kind and financial contributions and
planned giving to support the work of nonprofit and faith-based agencies.
Accountability and transparency among charities through policies that promote responsible governance and stewardship
of resources, legal compliance and public disclosure of information to build donor confidence.
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