Georgia can help cover expenses for crime survivors, but hurdles exist

Every state has a program to reimburse victims of violent crimes and their families for unexpected expenses such as burials, mental health counseling and lost wages, but many in Georgia may be missing out, potentially leading to more harm.

In 2022, Tiffany Smith’s 15-year-old son, Cameron Jackson, was an Olympic boxing hopeful who loved riding dirt bikes and telling jokes. Smith describes him as an “all-American kid.” But that same year, he was shot and killed by another teen near Atlantic Station.

“It’s been a journey, to say the least,” Smith said from her office, where she runs the Angel Moms Collective.