Proactivity in Forsyth County: Rep Bourdeaux provides support for community-focused projects

Tuesday, August 16th, is a special day, especially in the 7th District.

The press conference hosted by Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07) at the Forsyth County Chamber (Cumming, GA) provides another example of the work taking place within the district. Through her efforts and related support via the House Appropriations Committee, all 10 of her submitted projects receive funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, including the ones shared (today).

With an audience of county leadership and public officials, the following projects are announced and featured:

The Forsyth County School District's Spark! program received $750,000 in funding. Working via the themes of igniting learning, birth, and beyond, the focus is n breaking down external barriers on young learners, including poverty, transit, and language. School Superintendent Jeff Bearden provides additional points of reference on the goals of the program and how the funding received augments their efforts:

Another program shared at the press conference is the Forsyth County Insight Program. As a way to increase the community's capacity to serve youth who may be deemed imperiled, $90,000 is earmarked for continued access to resources and services. Forsyth County Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills joins Representative Bourdeaux to share the work of the program and the continued efforts to serve youth and interrelated audiences in need:

The last entity highlighted is the Forsyth County Crisis Intervention Team (including the county sherriff's office). Joined by Sgt. Terry Hawkins (who serves as the director of the program), the funding secured ($235,000) focuses on continued training and expansion of the utilization of best practices by personnel who are responding to a behavioral health crisis and related occurrences. It's a proactive way to have improved training and measures in place to better protect all from harm and injury.

Combined with projects including (but not limited to) clean and green technology (click HERE for more information), higher education (click HERE for more information),and combating housing insecurity (click HERE for more information), multiple segments and audiences within the district are receiving improved access given these "bridge opportunities".

Congresswoman Bourdeaux notes, "I am very proud to bring more than $1 million in funding back to Forsyth County to support vital public services and educational programs for our community". She echoes this sentiment in fielding our question to conclude the press conference:

Given the growth within the district (including Forsyth County), being proactive in meeting the current needs and anticipating future needs is a central focus area. With intentional collaboration and constructive engagement, these and other endeavors can be put in place to allow for community growth.

Today is another example of the work taking place with Congresswoman Bourdeaux in Forsyth County (GA) and the 7th Congressional District.

Notes: All video and photography recorded by Andrew Snorton.

The videos are as follows (in order of appearance):

1. The welcome from James McCoy (President/CEO of the Forsyth County Chamber).

2. Remarks from Rep. Bourdeaux and Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden.

3. Remarks from Rep. Bourdeaux and Forsyth County Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills.

4. Remarks from Rep. Bourdeaux and Forsyth County Sherriff Department Sgt. Terry Hawkins.

5. Closing remarks from Rep. Bourdeax as she fields our question.

The photos are as follows (in order of appearance):

1. Rep. Bourdeaux making her opening remarks.

2. Rep. Bourdeaux with Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Jeff Bearden (check presentation).

3. Rep. Bourdeaux with Forsyth County Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills (check presentation).

4. Rep. Bourdeaux with Forsyth County Sherriff Department Sgt. Terry Hawkins (check presentation).

5. Snapshot of Rep. Bourdeaux with members of Forsyth County Schools leadership.

6. Snapshot of Rep. Bourdeaux with members of the Forsyth County Commission (leadership and staff).

7. Snapshot of Rep. Bourdeax with members of the Forsyth County Sherriff Department (leadership and support staff).