MONDAY MEMO #18

Resilient Georgia
Feb 17
7 min read

Happy Monday and welcome to another edition of the RG Monday Memo! This week includes a variety of helpful resources, including education and healthcare resources, funding opportunities, professional development, and resources for rural communities. It’s a long one, so buckle up! We want to take a moment to thank you all for your ongoing efforts to create a trauma-informed and more resilient Georgia. Your dedication makes this work possible. Before we dive in, here are some updates and highlights from the RG Team to keep you informed:

RG Highlights

Regional Coalition Events Reminder: Thanks to everyone who has already submitted their scheduled coalition events for 2025! This calendar is housed on the RG website and is a great way to showcase upcoming trainings, summits, and partner activities across the state. As a reminder, please submit your coalition events here. We appreciate your support in keeping this webpage up-to-date!
NEW! Trauma-Informed Education Resource Guides: Resilient Georgia is proud to share two new Resource Guides created to support PreK-12 and higher education sectors. These guides provide practical strategies and insights for fostering trauma-informed learning environments that promote resilience and well-being for students, educators, and school communities. The Becoming a Trauma-Informed Educational Environment Guide focuses on implementing trauma-informed practices within PreK-12 classrooms and districts, while the Virtual Higher Education Guide offers guidance for faculty looking to integrate trauma-informed principles into online classes. We encourage you to share these resources widely with your networks to help build more supportive and resilient educational communities across Georgia.
Mark your calendars! April 2025 Coalition Showcase: Our next General Meeting Showcase will be April 10th at 11AM. Thank you to the coalition leads who provided feedback to help us in our planning. We have begun reaching out to coalitions to present at our April meeting. As a reminder, we’ll host four showcases over the next two years in April and November, each featuring coalition partners presenting on regional initiatives in brief 8-minute presentations. For context, check out this recording from one of our 2022 showcases.
Positivity and Relaxation Training (PART) Program: Don’t forget to sign up for this FREE 9-week stress reduction program led by Resilient Coastal Georgia’s Tara Jones starting in mid-March for coalition leads. More information on the attached flyer. Sign up here and stay tuned for more details!

Coalition Spotlights

Resilient Communities of Southwest Georgia is hosting a Mental Health Summit featuring a presentation from Dr. Katrina Steele, Ph.D., LPC, and includes a professional review of ethics, boundary issues, and confidentiality for mental health professionals. The Summit will take place Friday, February 28th, from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, and registration costs $25. This presentation will meet the Georgia requirement for 5 in-person Ethics CEUs.

The Aligning Community Systems for Resilience Initiative (ACSRI) is hosting an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Training tomorrow February 18th, at 2PM (virtual via Microsoft Teams). This session will highlight the role of trauma-informed approaches in legal advocacy, equipping attorneys with strategies to support clients affected by trauma. Shay Peoples, Project Coordinator at Community Health Solutions, will share insights on fostering resilience, leveraging community resources, and strengthening partnerships. Register now to gain valuable knowledge and enhance your ability to advocate effectively!

Education

Improving Self-Regulation: Resiliency Skills in the Classroom: Researchers implemented a pilot resiliency program using the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) with elementary students. Results showed increased self-esteem, compassion, and improved classroom behavior, with teachers noting fewer disciplinary referrals and more engaged learners. This study highlights the value of integrating trauma-informed practices into school settings to promote mental well-being and academic success. Please share with your education partners!

Georgia House speaker calls for database to track troubled students, anonymous app to report threats In response to school safety concerns, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns proposed a statewide database to monitor students exhibiting troubling behavior. This initiative aims to enhance information sharing among schools, law enforcement, and mental health professionals to identify potential threats early. Additionally, an anonymous reporting app is proposed to allow students and community members to confidentially report potential threats. For more information on School Safety, check out this resource from Georgia Voices.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP): Promoting Safe and Positive School Environments: OBPP is a comprehensive, evidence-based initiative designed to reduce bullying and improve peer relations among students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The program incorporates schoolwide, classroom, individual, and community components to foster long-term, systemic change. Implemented in thousands of schools across the United States and over a dozen countries worldwide, OBPP has consistently demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing bullying incidents, enhancing classroom social climates, and reducing related antisocial behaviors such as vandalism and truancy. Please share with your education partners!

Funding

Local Data for Equitable Communities: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), in collaboration with the Urban Institute, is offering the Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program to support nonprofits in using data to catalyze local action, address inequities, and promote healthier communities. Up to 30 grants of $50,000 each will be awarded to nonprofits working in areas such as housing, transportation, community safety, climate and environment, and the built environment. Grantees will receive funding to implement their projects along with access to peer learning opportunities and technical assistance from the Urban Institute on data, policy, and community engagement. Applications are due by March 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM.

MHFC Youth Wellbeing Innovation Awards: The Mental Health Funders Collaborative is offering grants up to $5,000 to support innovative, locally-led approaches to strengthen Georgia’s youth mental health workforce. This funding isn’t just about financial support—it’s about connection and visibility, helping often-overlooked organizations gain recognition and build relationships with funders. Each Tuesday in March, funders will review applications in real-time and make awards, ensuring a fast, low-lift process for applicants. If your organization is leading impactful work in youth mental health—or you know a group that is—don’t miss this chance to apply and share the opportunity. Apply here by March 5th!

Georgia News

How President Jimmy Carter saved the Chattahoochee River in Georgia-11 Alive: In honor of the late President Jimmy Carter, we reflect on his enduring contributions to Georgia’s environment. In 1978, Carter signed legislation creating the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, preserving this vital waterway for future generations. His commitment to conservation and community stewardship continues to inspire efforts to protect Georgia’s natural resources.

Family Violence in Georgia: An Issue Brief: Family violence is a pervasive and deeply concerning issue in Georgia, casting a shadow over the lives of countless individuals, families, and communities. This brief from Voices for Georgia’s Children aims to shed light on the current state of family violence in Georgia, exploring its far-reaching impacts and the complexities of existing interventions and proposing recommendations for meaningful improvements in both policy and practice.

Healthcare

Georgia Pathways to Coverage® Waiver Extension: The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is accepting public comments on its Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver Extension Application for Georgia Pathways to Coverage®. This program offers Medicaid coverage to low-income Georgians engaged in qualifying activities such as employment, education, or community service. The public comment period is open until February 20, 2025. We encourage coalition members to submit comments and mobilize networks to participate. For more details, contact Shannon Ferguson at shannon.ferguson@georgia1st.org.

Gallup, Rollins Survey Reveals Americans’ Public Health Priorities: A recent survey highlights that Americans prioritize health care access and affordability, reducing chronic diseases, and ensuring safe water and food. The survey also indicates that healthcare providers, scientific research, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are the most trusted sources for public health information, while political leaders are least trusted. Additionally, a majority believe the federal government is more effective than state governments in addressing these health concerns. “The survey reinforces that Americans, across demographics and party lines, mostly agree on the public health issues that touch their daily lives.” says Stephen Patrick, MD, chair of the Department of Health Policy & Management.

Professional Development

The GSU Child Welfare Training Collaborative is hosting two upcoming events focused on mental health and resilience. On February 20th (10–11:30 AM), the Knowledge to Action Conversation on Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health will address the impact of stress and trauma on early childhood development, featuring insights from Raynell Washington, LMSW, IMH-E®. On February 26th (10 AM–4:30 PM), the SHBP 2025 Mental Health Symposium: Unmasking the Trauma of Bullying will take place at Mercer University in Macon, GA, offering 3 CEUs, a panel discussion on building resilient communities, and practical tools for educators to address mental health challenges.

Rural Resources and Transportation

Rural Health: The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center offers a range of programs to enhance healthcare in rural communities. The Maternal Health Symposium, scheduled for June 26, 2025, at Mercer's Macon Campus, will address unexpected outcomes in maternal health, providing CEUs for attendees. The Rural Pediatric Network connects rural pediatric healthcare professionals through the Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC), offering monthly Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series (PAWS) sessions that provide free credits on various pediatric topics. Additionally, the Hospital Leadership Training program aims to strengthen the management skills of rural hospital leaders to improve patient care. The Maternal Health Observership Summer Experience offers medical students hands-on exposure to maternal health in rural settings. Lastly, the Georgia Community Paramedicine Conversations & Voices initiative facilitates knowledge sharing among community paramedicine professionals through the Project ECHO platform. These initiatives collectively aim to improve healthcare access and quality in Georgia's rural areas.

Transportation Solutions for Georgia Communities: Transportation remains a significant barrier for many Georgians, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Innovative programs are addressing this issue by providing affordable and accessible options. Uber Health partners with healthcare systems to offer rides to non-emergency medical appointments and medication deliveries, improving access to care. Valdosta On-Demand is a low-cost rideshare program serving Valdosta.

The Ride United Program, an initiative by United Way, helps individuals access essential resources like medical appointments and job interviews. In Gwinnett County, the Microtransit Program connects residents to bus lines and key destinations through a rideshare-style service. These models could inspire coalitions seeking to improve transportation access in their communities. Please share as you see fit!