08 LC 18
7462
Senate
Resolution 1187
By:
Senators Thomas of the 54th, Goggans of the 7th, Unterman of the 45th and Grant
of the 25th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Creating
the Senate Children's Mental Health in Georgia Study Committee; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Senate is concerned with the increasing incidence of mental health
problems in children and adolescents in Georgia, and the resulting impact this
has on these children, their families, our schools and other institutions, and
the citizens of our state; and
WHEREAS,
mental health problems in children can impact their ability to learn and
function successfully in educational settings, their future job performance and
productivity as later adults, their families, and others; and
WHEREAS,
the array of resources available to help and treat these children is stretched
beyond its ability to cope with the need; and
WHEREAS,
there is a shortage in Georgia of qualified mental health professionals,
including child psychiatrists, child psychologists, and other mental health
professionals trained to treat children and adolescents for mental health
problems; and
WHEREAS,
other resources for children and adolescents with mental health problems,
including those operated under the auspices of the state, also face funding,
staffing, and administrative challenges which strain their ability to deliver
optimal care for these children.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate
Children's Mental Health in Georgia Study Committee to be composed of five
members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The
President of the Senate shall also designate a member of the committee as
chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the
committee.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee may conduct such meetings at such places
and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to
exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish
the objectives and purposes of this resolution including, without limitation, a
study of the problem of children's mental health in Georgia, its impact on child
and later adult health, and solutions to solve or ameliorate this problem which
may be undertaken. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances
provided for under Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated
but shall receive the same for not more than five days unless additional days
are authorized. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this
resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate. The committee
shall report its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed
legislation if any, on or before December 15, 2008. The committee shall stand
abolished on December 15, 2008.