MONDAY MEMO #22

Resilient Georgia
Mar 16
6 min read

Happy Monday and Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Partners! 🍀 This week’s Monday Memo is packed with resources for early childhood professionals, nonprofit organizations, and veterans, along with professional development opportunities to help you better support resilience and mental health initiatives for children and families across our state. Before we dive into it, here are some updates and reminders from the RG Team:

RG UPDATES

Ignite Training: Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Ignite! The Art of Coalition Building pilot training. If you missed it, please check out the Ignite! Digital Workbook. A special thank you to those who submitted feedback through the evaluation survey—the results were overwhelmingly positive! Our team is using your insights to refine and enhance future training opportunities. If you'd like to offer this training to your coalition or meet for a one-on-one consultation, Gabrielle Stewart is available through April 25th, and can be reached at gah4508@students.kennesaw.edu.
Updated 2025 Conference List: If you’re looking for opportunities for professional development and networking, check out our updated list of conferences and summits in 2025!
Upcoming Dates:
- March Coalition Connections: This month, instead of our traditional update calls, we will be hosting Coalition Connections to give folks an opportunity to gain insight and support from coalition leaders outside of their Round. We will also be joined by a partner from Georgia Appleseed to share more about their organization and how to partner. Here is the schedule:

Rounds 2+3: Thursday March 27th at 1pm Rounds 1+4: Friday March 28th at 10am

(Resilient WEST is welcome to join either/both!)

April General Meeting- New Date! Our General Meeting, now scheduled for Thursday April 24th from 11am-12:30PM, will feature a Regional Coalition Showcase on Fostering a Trauma-Informed Workforce and Systems. Invites were sent last week, but please email Nikki (nwarner@resilientga.org) to request one. Thank you to our coalition partners who will be presenting!
- Please note: Because the General Meeting now falls on the same week of our monthly update calls, RG has decided to cancel the April Update Calls in order to be mindful of your busy schedules and encourage attendance at the General Meeting! Update Calls will reconvene in May.

Coalition Highlights

The Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI) is hosting a special event, Mindful Leadership: Mastering Resilience to Thrive During Disruption , on Tuesday, April 1, from 8:30 – 11AM in Atlanta. Acclaimed speaker Shawntà Hooks will explore how mindfulness and workplace belonging can enhance leadership resilience during times of disruption. This free event includes breakfast and free parking!

Resilient Communities of Southwest Georgia: In response to a 42% increase in domestic violence-related deaths in Georgia in 2022, the Resilience Mission Coalition has been established in Grady County to combat this pressing issue. This is a collaboration between the Cairo-based Mission Vision Foundation and Resilient Communities of Southwest Georgia. Their mission is to educate the community, especially young people, about the warning signs of domestic violence and to connect victims with essential resources. The coalition aims to address the challenges faced by rural communities, such as limited access to support services and geographic isolation, by organizing educational events and fostering open discussions.

Early Childhood Resources

GA Decal Bright from the Start The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Task Force Prevention Workgroup is compiling a list of early childhood (0 to 5 years old) screenings used in Georgia that include a social emotional element, trauma, or any indicator of early childhood mental health issues. If your organization uses a screening, please consider filling out the Georgia Developmental Screening Information Survey and share with your networks!

GEEARS | Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students Ensuring continuous Medicaid eligibility for young children is essential for their healthy development, as gaps in coverage can disrupt preventative care, vaccinations, and critical early interventions. Many children lose Medicaid due to administrative errors, leading to delays in necessary treatments. GEEARS advocates for multi-year continuous Medicaid eligibility to prevent these disruptions and support long-term health outcomes. Additionally, investing in professionals who support young children with disabilities, such as Babies Can’t Wait Service Coordinators and Special Instructors, is crucial. Early intervention services during the first three years of life can significantly impact a child's lifelong trajectory, reducing the need for more intensive support later. Feel free to share the fact sheets on the linked webpages!

Nonprofit Resources

The Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta has highlighted recent developments affecting nonprofits under the new administration. In their article, DEI in 2025 , they discuss the uncertainty surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives due to executive actions. Additionally, their resource, Nonprofits and the New Administration, provides guidance on federal initiatives impacting nonprofit organizations, including immigration enforcement and federal funding considerations. Nonprofits are encouraged to stay informed to continue their missions effectively.

From Uncertainty to Strength: Strategic Resilience for Non-Profit Organizations: Dr. Edward Valentin from Emory School of Medicine outlines how nonprofits can navigate financial and policy uncertainty by adopting a resilient and forward-thinking mindset. With federal funding cuts and shifting priorities, he says organizations must move beyond crisis mode and embrace strategic adaptation, financial diversification, and data-driven decision-making. Key strategies include strengthening core competencies, enhancing impact measurement, leveraging partnerships, and investing in strategic retreats to realign goals. By focusing on long-term sustainability, nonprofits can emerge stronger and position themselves for future growth. Check out the full article!

Resources for Nonprofits: CES: Community Evaluation Solutions , owned by the wonderful Dr. Ann Price, offers a variety of resources to support nonprofits and community coalitions in enhancing their impact. Their resources page provides templates, guides, and tools designed to assist organizations in strategic planning, evaluation design, and capacity building. These resources collectively aim to empower organizations to measure and articulate their impact effectively. Many RG coalitions have worked with Dr. Ann Price and if your organization is interested in a connection, please email Nikki Warner at nwarner@resilientga.org.

Professional Development and Events

CTIPP's March Community Advocacy Network (CAN) Call: Join the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice’s (CTIPP) monthly CAN Call on Wednesday, March 19th from 2–3:30PM via Zoom. These monthly meetings, held on the third Wednesday, provide a space for networking, resource-sharing, and community-building within the trauma-informed movement. The event is free and open to all. Register here!

Navigating Uncertainty: Understanding Immigrant Deportations and Managing Stress: Quality Care for Children is hosting a webinar this Thursday March 20th at 12:00 PM that provides practical resources to support families facing deportation-related stress. The session will cover mental health strategies, family preparedness, and access to community resources like legal aid and advocacy groups. With a focus on emotional resilience and well-being, this event aims to equip families with tools to navigate uncertainty while fostering a supportive network. Please also check out this Immigrant Mental Health Support Resource Resilient Georgia created!

Happiest Outside: The Power of the Outdoors in Improving Mental Health: The next Park Bench Chat Webinar, hosted by The Trust for Public Land, is March 31st at 3:00 PM and will explore how time in nature enhances mental well-being. Featuring a variety of experts, athletes, and activists, the discussion will highlight scientific insights on nature’s impact on mental health and actionable steps for incorporating the outdoors into daily life. Register here!

Georgia DFCS Annual Progress and Services Review Planning Meeting: Georgia DFCS will host its virtual spring 2025 APSR meeting on April 22 from 9:30–11:30AM. The meeting, themed “Partnering with Families to Improve Child Welfare Outcomes through Family Engagement,” will feature a panel including parents, case managers, judicial partners, and other stakeholders discussing how authentic family engagement can enhance capacity, improve outcomes, and support reunification. Register here.

Veteran Resources

New! Mental Health Resources for Veterans + Military Families: Resilient Georgia launched our newest mental health resource webpage for Veterans and Military Families! This page offers a curated selection of support services aimed at enhancing mental health, resilience, and social connections for veterans and their families. Recognizing the elevated risk of mental health challenges due to exposure to traumatic events, the page addresses barriers such as stigma and difficulties navigating systems. These resources collectively aim to reduce stigma and ensure access to essential care and support for the veteran community and their families.

Unite Georgia for Veterans and Families: Unite Georgia, in partnership with Georgia Department of Veteran Services and community partners, offers a coordinated care network to support veterans, their families, and caregivers. The Public Resource Directory is a searchable platform that connects users to local resources, while the Assistance Request Form allows individuals to self-refer and be contacted by a Care Coordinator within 48 hours. Support is available for employment, food, education, utilities, physical health, legal aid, childcare, transportation, and more. This initiative ensures that veterans and their families can easily access essential services in their communities. Check out this flyer for more details!