Community Safety Initiative

Children and adults with disabilities are at significantly increased risk of violence, abuse, and neglect. The good news is that all Georgia citizens can live very safe and meaningful lives when provided the information and support needed to do so. In recognition of this, the IHDD has organized the Community Safety Initiative. This initiative is designed to increase safety through awareness, training, and systems-change. The anticipated outcomes of the initiative are an increase in the effective prevention, intervention, and prosecution of the maltreatment of children and adults with disabilities in Georgia through increased awareness, advocacy, and communication and collaboration between agencies. Numerous projects have been developed under this initiative.

Community Safety Forums

Forums will be held each year. The forums will include people with disabilities, advocates, and policy makers who will meet to identify needed areas of systems change and develop policy needed to affect that change. Information regarding violence against children and adults with disabilities will be included in continuing judicial education courses for judges each year.

For more information contact Jenny Manders at (706) 542-2418 or jmanders@uga.edu.