Understanding Benefits Cliffs
August 14, 2026
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What to know about these overlooked poverty traps Millions of Americans rely on government-run safety net programs to help meet their fundamental
When a Love Story Meets the Tax Code
June 18, 2026
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Key Points If you ask many engaged couples what’s worrying them before the big day, you’ll probably hear about things like catering
How Georgia’s Governor Impacts Your Daily Life: Understanding the Role and the Election Process
May 18, 2026
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From vetoing bills to deciding the budget, check out five ways Georgia’s governor impacts schools, safety, work, and public programs that our families and communities
Raising Highly Capable Kids Program Increases Positive Values and Social Skills in Children
April 27, 2026
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GCO and its partners offered 15 RHCK workshops at 12 locations in 2025. Participants took pre- and post-workshop surveys that illustrated the ways families had
Stronger Readers, Brighter Futures: Georgia Lawmakers Open Doors with New Literacy Bill
March 19, 2026
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State legislators are paving the way for children to overcome challenges with literacy, empowering them to thrive in their academic development and build flourishing lives
Unleashing Students’ Potential: Georgia Legislators Champion Advanced Math Opportunities
March 11, 2026
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Georgia lawmakers have drafted a pair of bills that are set to transform the way math is taught in the state. If the bills become
Strengthening Families for Generational Change: GCO Welcomes Travis Thorne to the Team
February 11, 2026
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The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) is honored to welcome Travis Thorne as the Vice President of Family. Travis will lead GCO’s
Shaping Georgia’s Future: Opportunities for the Year Ahead
January 8, 2026
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The well-being of many Georgians, their families, and their communities is at stake as pressing concerns like welfare reform, the cost of living, educational opportunities,
Creating Links That Change Lives: Georgia Center for Opportunity Partners with Connect to Work GA
December 11, 2025
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This collaboration will help lift job seekers above the poverty line by providing opportunities for successful careers and upward mobility.
Frightfully Pricey Treats: Why Halloween Fun Is Costing Georgia Families More
October 28, 2025
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As Halloween approaches, Georgia families look forward to making great memories involving adorable costumes and fun candy hauls. But candy prices have become nothing short
Non-Working Adults Concentrated in Georgia’s Distressed Communities
September 2, 2025
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Many Georgia counties face high rates of non-working adults, fueling distress and limiting opportunities in struggling communities. See the percentages for your county.
What to Know About Education in Georgia as Students Go Back to School
August 12, 2025
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As August ushers in a new school year in Georgia, nearly two million students are headed back to our states 2,300 public schools. How are
Three Issues Georgia Parents Are Most Concerned About
July 24, 2025
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A new report on child well-being from Emory University reveals the issues that Georgia parents say are impacting kids—and their futures—most.
What Georgia can learn from other states about fixing welfare
June 30, 2025
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Like most states, Georgia’s welfare system is a maze of complex rules and disconnected programs that trap people in a cycle of frustration and dependence.
Georgia ranks 14th on new school choice index—but that’s not a win yet
May 15, 2025
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A new index measuring families’ access to school choice nationwide shows Georgia has our work cut out for us to catch up to Florida, Alabama,
From classrooms to careers: Georgia laws that passed (and didn’t) in 2025
May 6, 2025
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Georgia lawmakers wrapped up the 2025 legislative session with some big decisions that affect our state’s families, students, and workers.
Kentucky’s latest criminal justice reform improves fairness, accountability, and safety through better data practices
March 31, 2025
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House Bill 136, crafted with research and expertise from the Georgia Center for Opportunity, empowers Kentucky lawmakers with data to make fairer decisions and build
Occupational licensing bill would improve access to job opportunities for Georgia’s returning citizens
March 13, 2025
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By updating certain job licensing processes for returning citizens, Georgia lawmakers can expand opportunities for meaningful work and better futures.
4 Surprising Benefits of Parental Love That Set Children Up for a Flourishing Life
March 7, 2025
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The bond between a parent and child lays the groundwork for emotional security, social skills, academic achievements, and even lifelong decision-making.
School List Available for Georgia Promise Scholarship Eligibility
February 25, 2025
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The Georgia Promise Scholarship school list is now available. Families zoned for schools on this list meet the attendance zone requirement to apply for the
Georgia Promise Scholarships: Here’s What Families and Communities Need to Know
February 6, 2025
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Big changes are on the horizon for education in Georgia. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, thousands of families will have greater access to flexible
Food stamps program a top opportunity for increasing access to work and savings for taxpayers
February 4, 2025
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A new proposal for reform, developed with research by Erik Randolph at the Georgia Center for Opportunity in collaboration with the American Enterprise Institute (AEI),
2024 election results confirm public safety is a priority for Americans
November 14, 2024
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In state and local elections, voters across the political spectrum chose candidates who shared their priority for greater public safety and order.
Why Focus More on Public Safety and Order? Kids Need More of It.
September 17, 2024
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A new book, “Doing Right by Kids” features a chapter from GCO’s Josh Crawford on how community violence impacts kids and their opportunities for economic
Free job skills courses offered in Columbus
September 5, 2024
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Local job seekers in the Columbus area might beef up their resumes with the launch of a new initiative. Free job skills
Free ‘Jobs for Life’ classes underway in the Fountain City
September 5, 2024
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This week, we launched our Jobs for Life program with an inspiring open house, highlighting the life-changing opportunities available to individuals in
Poverty and Crime in America: What Can Happen in a Neighborhood When Violent Crime Goes Up
August 19, 2024
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Research has found that violent crime negatively affects property values, employment, and outcomes for children. Good public safety policies are a prerequisite for fostering community
How safety-net benefits discourage low-income workers from escaping poverty
August 8, 2024
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A new research paper from GCO shows the ways social safety-net programs like food stamps and Medicaid provide critical support but also discourage career advancement.
Want our kids to be seen, heard, and valued? Get the community involved.
August 6, 2024
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By engaging with the building blocks of raising highly capable kids, parents and communities can get kids on a path to enriching relationships, meaningful work,
Marriage Rates in Georgia Are Down. But Marriage Still Matters For Quality of Life and Upward Mobility.
June 27, 2024
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Georgia has seen a decline in marriage rates, mirroring a national trend and raising important questions about the impact of marriage on personal well-being and