MONDAY MEMO #12
- Resilient Georgia
- Jan 6
- 6 min read
Happy New Year and Welcome to the first Monday Memo of 2025—your trusted source for updates, highlights, and opportunities to promote resilience and well-being across our communities. We hope your holiday season was filled with joy, rest, reflection, and meaningful connection. This week’s edition features: Coalition Spotlights, Educational Resources, Funding Opportunities, Events, and Rural Resources. But first, here are some Resilient Georgia updates to kick off the new year!
RG Highlights
Professional Development Opportunity: Positivity and Relaxation Training (PART) for Coalition Leaders : We are thrilled to offer the Positivity and Relaxation Training (PART) program, led by Tara Jones from Resilient Coastal Georgia, at no cost to coalition leaders starting March 2025. Tara is the only certified PART provider in Georgia, trained through the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. She recently represented her community on an international stage, speaking at Harvard Medical School’s Mind-Body Medicine Conference, where she highlighted the success of her PART pilot program with Gateway CSB’s Magnolia Clinic.
This 9-week program is designed to reduce stress, improve well-being, and promote resilience. Participants will learn techniques such as recognizing stress responses, practicing meditation, improving sleep and physical activity, and cultivating positivity. We know 1.5 hours for 9 weeks is a commitment, but we hope to encourage you to take this time to prioritize your own self-care and wellness. If you are interested in participating or would like more details on day/time, please fill out the interest form here. Participants will be capped at 20 and it is a first-come, first serve basis, but we encourage one leader/coalition if possible!
Fall 2024 Regional Coalition Summary Report: We are excited to share this summary report of the incredible work our 16 regional coalitions are doing to reduce mental health stigma, prevent and heal childhood adversity, emphasize trauma-informed awareness and care, and promote resilience in children and their families.
Coalition Spotlights
Check out RCV’s new podcast episode, Balance Beast, highlighting their work in fostering youth resilience through collaboration with Shaw High School students. These student-athletes share their experiences balancing academics and sports, navigating mental health challenges, and preparing for life beyond high school. Their candid reflections emphasize the importance of supportive environments and resilience in overcoming obstacles, showcasing the coalition’s commitment to empowering young voices and creating meaningful change.
Resilient North Georgia: Wellroot is hosting the 2025 Reaching Teens Summit on Thursday January 30th from 9am-4pm. Led by renowned teen expert Dr. Ken Ginsburg, attendees will explore trauma's impact on brain development, resilience-building techniques, and effective communication skills to foster independence and well-being in youth. Lunch will be provided! Register here.
Education Resources
The Best Kids’ Books on Mental Health of 2024: The Child Mind Institute's list of the best kids' books on mental health offers a collection of literature aimed at educating and supporting children and families in managing emotional and mental health challenges. These resources are especially beneficial for educators, parents, and youth-serving professionals seeking to foster resilience and understanding in young people. The curated list covers themes such as anxiety, self-esteem, and coping strategies.
The Georgia Department of Education's Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) page outlines career clusters and pathways designed to help students explore various industries and careers. These pathways are part of Georgia's efforts to prepare students for college and career readiness by offering specialized programs in areas such as agriculture, business, health, and more. For detailed information on the pathways and their offerings, visit here.
The CARES Impact Case Study on Literacy: Prepared by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, this report highlights how three Georgia school districts—Fulton, Grady, and Marietta—are addressing literacy gaps caused by the pandemic. These districts have implemented structured literacy programs with a focus on phonics, fluency, and comprehension, supported by intensive educator training. The study underscores the importance of leadership, funding, and data-driven strategies in achieving positive literacy outcomes. Check out the full report and share with your partners as you see fit!
Funding
TRANSFORMATIVE TRUTH-TELLING FELLOWSHIP MICROGRANTS The Truth + Transformation project at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights is offering grants ($1,000–$2,500) for initiatives focused on forced labor, convict leasing, and criminal justice. They seek projects highlighting historical truth-telling, community-driven memorialization, and engagement efforts that inspire justice and reconciliation. Grantees will receive support and may have their work featured in a resource guide. Applications are due by January 15th. Learn more and apply here.
This grant program supports under-resourced U.S. schools, helping students discover and explore parks, historic sites, public lands, and waters. All Title I, pre-K-12 classrooms in the U.S. are eligible to apply for grants of up to $1,000 to fund park experiences. The grant application is currently OPEN and will close on February 7, 2025. To explore National Parks in Georgia, visit this link. Please share widely with your school partners!
Moment of Sparks Grant Informational Webinar: Join the Georgia Health Initiative's webinar on January 15th at 1PM to learn about the 2025 "Moment of Spark" Grants, designed to support community-driven health equity efforts across Georgia. This session will provide an overview of the grant's purpose, tips for crafting a compelling application, and guidance on navigating the application process. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session to clarify any questions. Don’t miss this chance to explore how these flexible, place-based funds can spark collaboration and systems change in your community. Register here!
Happenings and Events
Insights on Medicaid in Georgia Webinar: This webinar hosted by the Georgia Health Initiative January 10th at 1PM will explore key findings from their inaugural annual publication on Medicaid in Georgia. Topics will include eligibility, enrollment trends, covered services, managed care, Medicaid financing, and current state priorities. This resource aims to provide comprehensive data on Medicaid’s impact on children, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and other key groups, offering valuable insights for stakeholders. Register here!
GCAPP is hosting a free, LGBTQ+ inclusive, comprehensive sex education workshop for youth (ages 14-24) and their supporters this Wednesday, January 8th, from 5:30-8:30 PM. This workshop provides valuable information on protecting against STIs and unwanted pregnancies, along with tips for advocating for oneself in healthcare settings. All attendees will receive a $50 VISA gift card and registration is required. Participants can sign up here. Please share widely!
Health Care Unscrambled 2025 – Georgians for a Healthy Future: Health Care Unscrambled was rescheduled to Tuesday, January 14th from 12:30-4PM. It provides an opportunity for health advocates, policymakers, and stakeholders to come together for bipartisan discussions about Georgia’s health care landscape. Attendees will hear from state leaders about their priorities for the year ahead, gain insights from experts, and learn more about the health experiences of Georgians. This year's event will feature Hemi Tewarson, JD, MPH, Executive Director of the National Academy for State Health Policy, as the keynote speaker.
Rural Resources
Join the Rural Partners Network team on January 15th at 2PM for a virtual forum that celebrates successes, shares updates on federal resources and programs, and fosters connections among rural community leaders. This event provides a valuable opportunity to collaborate, learn, and engage with others working to advance rural initiatives. Register here!
Housing and Urban Development 101: Rural Playbook Webinar: Join the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on January 16th at 1PM for the "HUD 101: Rural Playbook Webinar." This session will provide rural organizations with valuable materials and resources from the Office of Community Planning & Development, designed to support and address the unique needs of rural communities. Register here.
Farmer Mental Health:
The Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance is a coalition dedicated to improving the health, safety, and well-being of farmers and farming communities across Georgia. Powered by the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University School of Medicine, GAWA addresses mental health challenges and promotes resilience in rural areas. Those interested in joining the Alliance can complete the form on their website. Please share widely!
The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of farmers and agricultural communities. Through initiatives like farmer mental health programs, the foundation provides resources, education, and access to support services designed to address the unique challenges faced by those in agriculture. Their efforts aim to reduce stigma, promote resilience, and ensure the sustainability of Georgia’s farming families and communities.