Decatur Achieves Child Friendly City Recognition in the United States
City of Decatur, Georgia, third in the United States to receive recognition after implementing pilot initiative to create safer, healthier communities and elevate youth voices
21 March 2025 – The City of Decatur has been officially recognized as a UNICEF Child Child Friendly City – the third in the U.S. following Houston, Texas and Minneapolis, Minnesota. This milestone celebrates the successful implementation of Decatur’s Local Action Plan for Youth, developed in 2022-23 by the city’s Teen Leadership Team, which comprised 30 high school students from Decatur.
“The commitment, energy and effort displayed by young residents of Decatur on our Teen Leadership Team and Decatur Youth Council is an inspiration to all of us and a reminder that every voice is important when it comes to the work of city government,” said Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett. “My hope is that we as city leaders will continue to listen to youth voices and that those who serve as Decatur Youth representatives will inspire others to participate."
“We are thrilled to have Decatur join our growing cohort of UNICEF Child Friendly Cities in the United States and recognize the City’s commitment to building a safer and more accessible community for children,” said UNICEF USA President & CEO, Michael J. Nyenhuis. “UNICEF USA is proud to celebrate the dedication of the Decatur community to support youth involvement and include them in city decision making and initiatives that will have a lasting impact for generations to come.”
Through the CFCI Framework for Action, Decatur, along with community partners City Schools of Decatur, Decatur Education Foundation, and Decatur Housing Authority, the Decatur Youth Council and the Teen Leadership Team identified five key priorities and action steps to make an impact in the Decatur community.
The five priorities include improving public spaces for all, increasing trust with law enforcement, making Decatur a cleaner, more sustainable and inclusive city for all children and young people and improving access to and awareness of mental health resources for children and teens.
In the 2023-2024 school year, the Teen Leadership Team implemented action steps from the Local Action Plan including launching a school-based composting program, recommending to the city commission that future playground projects include inclusive and accessible elements, hosting a “Cookout with the Cops” for city police and young people, offering a “self-care” booth at the Children’s Book Festival, and leading an afterschool culture fair for K-2nd graders.
In pursuit of recognition as a Child Friendly City, government officials and community leaders in Decatur along with pilot cohort cities across the United States conduct a situation analysis of child well-being in each city. Based on these findings, the communities implement an action plan that prioritizes the best interests of children and youth within their local policies.
