FY 2019 Annual Report

A C E L E B R A T I O N O F C O L L A B O R A T I O N S [Left to Right] Allen Nelson, counsel with Taylor English; former Florida Supreme Court Justice Charles Wells; Georgia Appleseed Executive Director Talley Wells; Georgia State Bar of Georgia General Counsel Paula Frederick; and Georgia Supreme Court Justice David Nahmias.

MESSAGE FROM GEORGIA APPLESEED LEADERSHIP

This was an extraordinary year for Georgia Appleseed. We collaborated with partners to improve school climate, increase school-based behavioral health services, keep children in foster care in school, and enable low-income tenants to live in safe and healthy housing. We celebrated the continued expansion of school-based behavioral health services across the state with funding expected to increase coverage to approximately 20% of Georgia schools by 2020. The year culminated with the passage of a healthy housing bill championed by Georgia Appleseed. It is arguably the most important legislation for low-income tenants to become law in Georgia since the 1970s.

As we reflect on the year and think about children and families we came to know through our advocacy, it is all too obvious that too many Georgia children experience injustices no child should have to endure. The heart of our work is ensuring children have what they need to succeed in school and stay out of the criminal justice system.

Beyond FY 2019, we will continue to work to ensure Georgia children have strong welcoming schools, receive the support they need when they experience trauma or mental health challenges, and live in safe and healthy housing. While Georgia has a long way to go, we are proud that Georgia Appleseed made a significant difference for our state’s children this past year.

Mary Benton Talley Wells Michael Waller Board Chair Executive Director Director of Projects

"Too many Georgia children experience injustices no child should have to endure."

Supporter Co llaborations We thank our FY19 supporters (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019) including Grants/Restricted Funding

$50,000+ Wade W. Herring II Hon. Victoria Darrisaw Beth-Anne Flynn MiMi Gudenrath Bank of America Foundation Sharon & Ben Hill George Gaskin Harold Franklin Kate Gutmann (Sub-Award from Atlanta Legal Jones Day Laverne Gaskins Craig Friedman Sanford Hartman in honor of Aid Society) Rob & Lora Kight Richard Gerakitis Christopher Graham Laura and Talley Wells The Community Foundation for Krevolin & Horst LLC The Goddard School Abigail & Andrew Gross Terri Allen Hendley Greater Atlanta Joe Loveland & Pam Driesell Brian Gordon Richard & Jane Hansen R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Maharashtra Mandal Atlanta David & Jani Herbster John Gross Greg Hecht Foundation, Inc. Jessica McKinney Corey & Ben Hirokawa in honor Fulton County Dept. of Housing Hon. David Nahmias Dan & Debby Heller Dustin Heslep of John Fleming & Community Development Polsinelli Paul Hermann Ted Hester in honor of Derek Craig Holmes Hardesty, Julia Houston, Community Service Program Diane Prucino & Tom Heyse HunterMaclean Charles Huddleston Holland & Knight John Kelley, Kara Ong, (CSP) Susan Ruhl Jennifer Ide Jay Sadd Lee & Rebecca Jackson Phyllis Sumner, Chilton Jason Byars $20,000-$49,999 Randi Schnell Jackson Lewis Varner, & Paul Zurawski Mark Keuhnert Annie E. Casey Foundation Neil Shorthouse & Patty Pflum Randall Kirsch J. Stanton Hill Kay Levine The Carter Center Mental Larry & Linda Smith Littler Mendelson P.C. Wes Hollis Health Program (Sub-Award Amy Steigerwalt & Greg Smith David Lewis Clark Magruder IST Management Services Grant) Patricia Verrilli & Joseph Joyce Lewis Hon. Beverly Martin Jessica Jolivette Eversheds Sutherland Wayland in honor of Sharon Aaron Lipson Erica May Hon. Michael Key Georgia Bar Foundation Hill Diana Lobrano & William E. Kilpatrick Townsend & Christopher Middleton Jennifer King Curtis Stockton LLP $1,000-$1,999 Margo Mize Sheri & Steve Labovitz James Macke King & Spalding LLP Kim Anderson Paul & Alicia Monnin Laurel Lucey Taylor English Duma LLP Anonymous Donor(s) Morris, Manning & Martin LLP Sally & Sandy Matthews Dr. Garry McGiboney Balch & Bingham LLP Felipe Nunez Ginger McRae & Chris Cramer Laura Mendelson $10,000-$19,999 Matthew & Heidi Bozzelli Sen. Elena Parent Kim McWhorter Stacy Myers Alston & Bird LLP Chuck Cantey & Mary Jane Henry Parkman Micah Moon Britteny Nash Thalia and Michael C. Carlos Stewart Matt Patterson Thomas Munger Victoria Nsikak Foundation Tom Cook Hon. Herbert Phipps Richard Nolen Kevin O'Brien Bradley Currey Jr. Bobbi Cleveland & Stanley Dana Halberg & Larry Pless Adam Ozgo Kevin Pearson Georgia Power Foundation, Jones Katrina Quicker Caitlin Pardue Inc. Jeff Cramer Jennifer Rigby Cronk Nelson Mullins Riley & Michael Dailey Rob & Marie Rhodes Craig & Terri Pendergrast Amanda Kay Seals Scarborough, LLP Arthur Domby Kirk Rich Allison Pryor Kathryn Solley Southern Company Bertis & Catherine Downs Stephen Rowland Stephen Riddell Elizabeth Spivey Troutman Sanders Geoff & Bettina Drake Allison Ryan Amelia Rudolph Kerry & Michele Stumpe Charley & Linda Wells Ken Dyer Vicki Shackley Rick Rufolo J. Eugene & Carmen Talley Equifax Rebekah Runyon Debbie Slappey Caroline Tanner $5,000-$9,999 Chris & Ashley Frieden David Smith Robin Sangston Christine & Rocco Testani Atlanta Bar Foundation Kirk Hancock Letta & David Sneed Professor Charity Scott & Taylor & John Daly Dr. Elizabeth Hawk & Tom Hon. Hugh Thompson Catherine & John Spillman Evans Harrell DLA Piper Hawk Rachel Tobin Stanton Law Johnny Simpkins John & Lisa Fleming Marc & Julie Howard John Toro Trip & Teresa Tomlinson Alexis Spade Ron Raider Rep. Elena Kaplan Hon. Renata Turner TrustPoint.One W. Brooks Stillwell The Sargent Shriver National Keith and Monisha Longacre Hon. Ronit Walker & Matt Center on Poverty Law Michael McGlamry TSG Reporting, Inc. Eric Tanenbaum Bronfman in honor of Talley Hon. Wendy Shoob & Walter Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Voices for Georgia's Children Maria Turner Wells Jospin Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Vincent Walden Blaise & Sarah Warren Smith, Gambrell & Russell LLP Stacy & Sam Pardue Laura & Talley Wells Mary & Joshua Weeks Susan Walker Goico Beth Tanis & John Chandler Rachel Platt & Ryan Goodman Arthur Wylie Terry Walsh Atty Teddy & Dr. Chasity $100-$199 Jazz Watts $2,000-$4,999 Reese $200-399 Elizabeth Appley Patricia Willis Virginia Adams & Derek Dr. Portia Shields Lynn Adam Shannen Baisden Andrea Young Elmerick Tori M. Silas & John Lewis Jr. Michelle Anderson Hon. Anne Elizabeth Barnes & Arnall Golden Gregory LLP Margy & Dan Smith Sheila Anderson Dr. Tom Banks Up to $99 Michelle Arrington Kathryn Spencer Mary & Chip Benton Antoinette Terry Landan Ansell Candice Biamby AmazonSmile Bondurant Mixson & Elmore Veritext Amy Averill Aileen Bleach Rachel Bartlett LLP Councilman Matt Alison Ballard & Ramsey Joy Borra Margaret Breen & Charles David & Margaret Brackett Westmoreland Knowles Christina Bortz Crutchfield Brooks, McGinnis & Company, Lauren Zeldin John Bartholomew Marifred Cilella Morgan Bridgeman LLC Beardsley, P.C. Mike Davis William Harrison CareSource $400-$999 Julian Bene John deMoulpied Brittany Herbert Elizabeth Chadwick & Mike Stephen Andrews & Hon. Doris Ilene Berman Yelena Epova Pollitt Downs Paul Hildebrand Patrick Braley David Esquivel Alexander & Jessica Clay Nancy Beane Patrick Lucas David Chaiken Patrick Fagan Shelley & Bill Collins Allen & Lila Bradley Sarah Primrose James Connelly Sheila Flemming-Hunter Robert Edwards Sam & Suzanne Brannen Tobias Tatum Richard & Lane Courts Kathleen Flynn Eric & Jessica Fisher Bruce P. Brown Law LLC Nicki Vaughan Christopher Demko Margo & Larry Gold Paula J. Frederick The Tull Charitable Foundation Hannah Wildermuth Bob & Susan Gallagher Convergint Technologies Cameron Ellis Bradley Grout

We make every effort to ensure accuracy of the above listings. If you see an error or omission, please contact our development department at 678-336-7242. FY19 Financial Overview July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019

Revenues & Support Contributions and Grants $511, 071 Contributed Services $776,240 Contributed Facilities $30,220 Fundraising and Special Events $104,630

Total Revenues and Support $1,422,161

Expenses Program $1,210,083 General and Administrative $106,753 Fundraising $130,615

Total Expenses $1,447,451

Total Net Assets ($25,290)

Notes on FY19 Net Assets FY19 included completion of several six-digit, multi-year grants including a two-year year grant from Georgia Bar Foundation and two-year grant from The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta as well as the second year of a three-year grant from The Dobbs Foundation. Due to Georgia Appleseed accounting on an accrual basis, many of the organization’s programmatic expenses occurred in FY19, however the income supporting that work was previously booked in FY17 & FY18.

Left to Right: Director of Projects Michael Waller, Staff Attorney Terrence Wilson, PBIS Coordinator for Bibb County Curlandra Smith, Superintendent of 1,776 Pro Bono Bibb County Schools Curtis Jones, and Georgia Appleseed Executive Director Talley Wells at the Atlanta School-Based Behavioral Health Forum in April. Hours P A S T E L D E C O & C CO . ollaborations

E D U C A T I O N C O A L I T I O N B U I L D I N G & O U T R E A C H

The Georgia Education Climate Coalition (GECC) convened with new vigor in FY 2019, coming off the success of the 2018 legislative session that included the addition of school climate to the county-required truancy committees, now known as Student Attendance and School Climate Committees. Georgia Appleseed created a protocol for these local committees, which convene in each county of the state. GECC, a coalition of advocacy groups, educators, schools, and nonprofits who believe in the power of school climate to change educational outcomes, hosted several meetings at the State Bar as well as a field trip to Newton County to see school-based behavioral health “in action.”

In the year following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, school safety was at the top of the agenda for legislative leaders in Georgia with both the House and the Senate convening study committees on the issue. Georgia Appleseed Executive Director Talley Wells and Director of Projects Michael Waller penned an Op Ed that was published in the Atlanta Journal- Constitution’s “Get Schooled” blog in January to S C H O O L - B A S E D highlight the critical importance of school climate and B E H A V I O R A L H E A L T H school-based behavioral health in school safety. Georgia Appleseed and GECC partners worked P A R T N E R S H I P S throughout the spring to continue this advocacy. By the end of the legislative session, the state invested Georgia Appleseed formed a new partnership in FY additional funds in school-based behavioral health, 2019 with The Carter Center Mental Health Program and the Georgia Department of Education created the and Voices for Georgia’s Children to promote school- Office of School Safety and Climate. based behavioral health services across the state as part of our Bridges to Behavioral Wellness Project. We dedicated the 2019 Good Apple event to the We held a Metro Atlanta School-Based Behavioral celebration of school climate, with honorees including Health Forum at the Carter Center in April with Dr. Garry McGiboney, Deputy Superintendent of the Georgia Appleseed leading panel discussions on Georgia Department of Education, and the PBIS Team integrating school-based of Georgia; EY for its work on our Keeping Kids in Class behavioral health into school climate and Toolkit; and the Child Protection and Advocacy overcoming barriers. This partnership advocated for Section of the State Bar of Georgia and its longtime and celebrated an additional 8.5 million dollars leader Nicki Vaughan. allocated by the state for school-based behavioral health in FY 2019. With its partner law firms, Georgia

Appleseed launched Bridges to Behavioral Wellness conducting attorney trainings and legal stakeholder interviews and legal research for an representation. Additionally, YPC hosted its most upcoming report. Georgia Appleseed and its pro bono successful “Spellbound for Justice” SCRABBLE® partners created new Help Guides for Children with tournament fundraiser that included a supply drive Behavior and Learning Challenges. The Help for local nonprofit Great Heights Foster Care. Guides reflect the information shared as part of Georgia Appleseed’s FY 2019-launched community education events on “Advocating for Your Child.” N A T I O N A L C O L L A B O R A T I O N S

H E A L T H Y H O U S I N G Georgia Appleseed was invited to join the Legal Impact C O A L I T I O N & C O M M U N I T Y Network (LIN) as its sole Georgia representative. The D E V E L O P M E N T Shriver Center for Poverty Law convenes LIN to bring together “strong law and policy advocates from throughout the country who are using innovative, Georgia Appleseed celebrated its greatest legislative coordinated strategies to address poverty and advance accomplishment since the passage of the new Juvenile racial justice.” Georgia Appleseed also joined the Code. Georgia Appleseed and our Georgia Healthy Partnership for Equity & Education Rights (PEER), Housing Coalition were elated by the passage of HB which is a national coalition of advocacy organizations 346, which makes it illegal for landlords to evict working to promote equitable funding for public tenants in retaliation for requesting health and safety schools. We continue to work closely with the repairs. The Coalition included the Atlanta Volunteer Appleseed Network to keep abreast of policy issues Lawyers Foundation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and share best practices. Each of these partnerships the United Way of Greater Atlanta, and many others. provide resources to advance our work in Georgia, as well as share our stories of systemic change that may In Savannah, Georgia Appleseed and local attorney be applicable to other states. Chris Middleton worked in conjunction with the Cuyler-Brownsville neighborhood on issues arising from the foreclosure crisis. Georgia Appleseed co- P R O B O N O & I N - K I N D hosted community education meetings on financial literacy, property retention, and wills. It was another banner year of pro bono and in-kind support for Georgia Appleseed. Taylor English generously housed our office space. Lead firms Nelson K E E P I N G K I D S I N S C H O O L : Mullins and Alston & Bird took on project work, including the newly published Help Guides. C H I L D R E N I N F O S T E R C A R E Additionally, Kilpatrick Townsend updated legal research in Georgia Appleseed’s report, Student FY 2019 saw tremendous support for our work to Tribunals: Assessment of School Discipline in Georgia; obtain legal representation at tribunals for students in King & Spalding led efforts around Manifestation foster care facing potential long-term suspension or Hearings; and Polsinelli conducted research on expulsion. We received grants for this work from both Medicaid, including the creation of a manual that is the Georgia Bar Foundation and the Atlanta Bar now being used by legal services attorneys. Foundation. Additionally, the Georgia Bar Foundation supported our work to bring restorative practices to As we continue to look toward developing future schools through trainings by Staff Attorney Terrence leaders interested in systemic change, May and June Wilson, who was certified as a trainer by the saw a full class of Georgia Appleseed interns and International Institute for Restorative Practices. The fellows, including two interns from Emory School of Georgia Appleseed Young Professionals Council (YPC) Law and an attorney through the Atlanta Urban continued to support tribunal efforts, including Leadership Fellowship program. FY19 Board of Directors (as of 6/30/19)

Georgia Appleseed is grateful & proud of the commitment from its board of directors. The organization has 100% board giving.

Mary Benton Alexander Clay Board Chair Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Alston & Bird LLP Ken Dyer Brian Gordon Superintendent, Dougherty County Schools Board Vice Chair DLA Piper Bob Edwards Troutman Sanders LLP Harold Franklin Board Secretary John H. Fleming King & Spalding Eversheds Sutherland

Paula Frederick Eric Fisher State Bar of Georgia Board Treasurer Taylor English Duma LLP Wade W. Herring II Hunter Maclean Taylor Daly Immediate Past Board Chair Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP Jessica McKinney GE Energy

Rachel Platt Young Professionals Council President Justice David E. Nahmias The Platt Law Firm Supreme Court of Georgia

Virginia Adams Diane Prucino EY Kilpatrick Townsend Stockton LLP

Kim Anderson Randi Schnell K.E. Anderson Consulting Rooms To Go

Michelle Arrington Tori Silas Fulton County Government Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough

Matthew Bozzelli Neil Shorthouse Southern Company Partners in Change

David Brackett Amy Steigerwalt Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore LLP Georgia State University Dept. of Political Science Elizabeth (Beth) Chadwick Nonprofit/Fundraising Consultant

FY19 Staff

Talley Wells, JD, M.Ed Executive Director

Abigail Gross Director of Development

Linda Hall Pitts Finance Manager

Eloise Holland Development and Program Coordinator

Staff note: This year, we welcomed Michael Waller as the new Michael Waller, MA, MTS, JD Director of Projects Director of Projects and Eloise Holland as Development and Program Coordinator. We also said farewell to longtime program Patsy White manager, Patsy White. Program Manager Left to Right: Michael Waller, Talley Wells, Abigail Gross, Terrence Terrence Wilson, JD, MPA Wilson, Linda Hall Pitts, and Eloise Holland. Staff Attorney

F Y 1 9 S T A T S

Here are a few numbers that give a snapshot of FY 2019 successes: 1 N E W L A W E N A C T E D

Georgia Appleseed led the coalition that helped create HB 346, a law that makes it illegal for landlords to evict tenants who request needed health and safety repairs. 37 K I D S I N F O S T E R C A R E

Through our Tribunal Project, we arranged or provided representation or advice for 100% of those children referred to us who were in foster care and facing long-term suspension or expulsion from school. We also trained more than 40 attorneys to offer pro bono representation in these cases. 80 P A R T N E R O R G A N I Z A T I O N S

From the Georgia Education Climate Coalition to Georgia Healthy Housing, we collaborated with organizations across the state to increase justice in Georgia. 296 P E O P L E T R A I N E D

We've trained teachers on restorative justice, attorneys on tribunal representation for kids in 1600 Parkwood Circle SE Suite 200 foster care, parents on the educational rights Atlanta, GA 30339 of their children, and case workers and other [email protected] advocates on addressing the needs of GaAppleseed.org children in foster care. 678-426-4640