A new Georgia law designed to reduce educational disruptions for children in foster care is now in effect, requiring public schools to enroll foster students within three school business days of a request for enrollment.
The number of immigrant children entering Georgia’s foster care system has increased significantly over the past year as federal immigration enforcement actions have intensified, placing additional demands on the state’s child welfare system.
Residents looking for bargains while supporting a worthy cause will have an opportunity this weekend as Flourish Foster Care Closet & Support, Inc. hosts a Yard Sale for a Cause at The Well in downtown Summerville.
The fundraiser will take place on Friday, June 12, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. at The Well, located at 141 W. Washington Street in Summerville.
Organizers say all proceeds will benefit The Well and the foster, kinship, and adoptive families served throughout Northwest Georgia. Shoppers will find a wide variety of items including furniture, home décor, clothing, toys, household items, books, seasonal merchandise, and more.
A BBQ food truck will also be on-site with plates, sandwiches, and other menu items available for purchase. A portion of food sales will benefit The Well and its mission.
According to organizers, every purchase helps Flourish continue providing clothing, essential items, support programs, meals, and community resources for children and families impacted by foster care.
Donations are still being accepted during the work week leading up to the event.
May is National Foster Care Month, and local officials are encouraging families in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia to consider opening their homes to children in need.
According to Georgia foster care data, more than 10,800 children are currently in foster care statewide, with hundreds of children still waiting for permanent homes and supportive families.
The Georgia Division of Family and Children Services says foster parents play a critical role in providing safe, stable, and caring environments for children who have been removed from unsafe situations because of abuse, neglect, or other family crises.
Officials say there continues to be a need for additional foster families in rural communities like Chattooga County, especially for sibling groups, teenagers, and children with special needs.
People interested in becoming foster parents must complete training, background checks, and home evaluations before children can be placed in their care. State officials say foster families receive support services and guidance throughout the process.
The Chattooga County DFCS office is located at 102 Highway 48 in Summerville, and residents can call 706-857-0817 for more information about fostering or adopting children.
Additional statewide foster care information is also available by calling 1-877-210-KIDS.
Georgia lawmakers are moving forward with several bills this session aimed at improving child welfare services, supporting foster children with autism and related disorders, and strengthening legal protections for victims of abuse.
State Rep. Eddie Lumsden (R-Armuchee), who represents all of Chattooga County and part of Floyd County, says the Georgia House has passed the halfway point of the 2026 legislative session after completing Legislative Day 22. Lawmakers returned to the Capitol following the President’s Day holiday and moved several bills forward during a busy week.
Lumsden highlighted passage of House Bill 1063, which would prevent electric utilities from shifting certain costs tied to large data centers onto residential and small business customers, while codifying Public Service Commission cost-allocation rules into state law. He noted Georgia’s rapid data center growth is driving increased energy demand statewide.
The House also approved legislation to increase access to naloxone on college and technical campuses, expand protections for foster placement caregivers, support autism screenings for children in foster care, strengthen student-athlete health requirements, and improve roadside safety during traffic stops as work continues toward Crossover Day.
See Rep. Lumsden’s complete report below: