MONDAY MEMO #59

nwarner12
Dec 22, 2025
6 min read

This is our final Monday Memo of 2025! As we head into the holiday season, we’ll be pausing our memo and will resume on January 12th. This edition is filled with a multitude of inspiring coalition spotlights, upcoming trainings, and resources supporting rural communities and youth across Georgia. We’re grateful for the dedication, collaboration, and care you’ve shared throughout the year, and we hope this season brings you moments of rest, reflection, and joy. Before we dive in, here are a few reminders and highlights from the RG Team:

RG Highlights

2025 Regional Coalition Summary Report: We recently published the updated 2025 Regional Coalition Summary Report that highlights the powerful work of 19 regional coalitions serving 146 counties across Georgia. Together, these coalitions are reducing mental health stigma, preventing and healing childhood adversity, advancing trauma-informed awareness and care, and promoting resilience for children and families. Explore the report to learn more about our collective regional impact.
Regional Coalition Events Reminder: Please submit your scheduled coalition events for 2026! 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!
Managing Holiday Stress Awareness Toolkit: Free your Feels, a youth mental health awareness campaign launched by Voices for Georgia’s Children and Georgia DBHDD, released their newest toolkit for the holiday season. The toolkit includes resources to cope with holiday seasonal stress and tips for adults, parents & caregivers, teens, and educators & professionals.
Thank you to everyone who filled out our end-of-year survey! Partners reported a clear understanding of the statewide vision and priorities, view RG as a trusted convener, and value the technical assistance and leadership approach. The feedback also highlighted opportunities to streamline reporting, support leader wellbeing, and make touchpoints even more meaningful and action-oriented. We have already put some of this feedback into action by shaping our 2026 calendar and meeting schedule, combining Coalition Connections and Peer-to-Peer Network meetings into three Peer Connections in April, July, and October, offering another optional cohort of PART, an in-person Mindful Self-Compassion Retreat, and virtual Ignite Coalition Building and Evaluation Workshops. As we move into 2026, we remain committed to listening, streamlining, and refining our supports in ways that honor your time and help you build capacity and maintain your personal wellbeing.
NEW! 2026 Conference List: We’re sharing a curated list of 2026 conferences focused on mental health, trauma-informed care, and child and family wellbeing. We’ll continue to update our list and share as new details are confirmed.

Coalition Highlights

Resilient Communities of East Georgia: RCEG’s partner, Child Enrichment, is hosting a Coffee & Conversation with newly appointed Chief Juvenile Court Judge Tianna Bias, creating an open and welcoming space for community members to learn how the juvenile court system impacts the lives of young people and to explore resources available to support children and families. The event will take place Wednesday, January 7th from 8–9:30AM at Child Enrichment. Additionally, they are also seeking Brand Ambassadors to represent the organization at community events and share its mission. This is an opportunity to gain experience in outreach, child development, and trauma-informed care while supporting child advocacy efforts.

Cobb Collaborative, lead partner for Resilient GA Northwest Metro, is in the midst of planning their annual Resiliency Week February 2nd-7th. Events include an in-person GSU Child Welfare Training, a partner breakfast, a film screening on "Resilience", the 5th annual Resilient Cobb Summit, a Basics Playground Palooza, and a Wellness Walk!

Resilient WEST: United Way of West Georgia is seeking a Program Director for the Troup County Trauma-Responsive Community Collaborative. Check out the job description and learn how to apply here. Please send a resume and cover letter including three things you bring to this work to sharon.alford@local.unitedway.org.

Resilient Clayton: We’re excited to celebrate Shay Peoples of Resilient Clayton, who has been accepted into the 2026 cohort of Leadership Clayton! This program develops leaders through immersive learning focused on community leadership, civic engagement, and regional impact. Shay’s selection reflects their commitment to strengthening Clayton County through collaboration, service, and systems-level change, and we’re proud to see Resilient Clayton represented in this influential leadership space.

Resilient North Georgia: Wellroot Family Services, lead for RNG, is hosting their 2026 Reaching Teens Summit on February 26–27 at the North Georgia Conference Center in Duluth. Backed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and led by Dr. Ken Ginsburg, this two-day, trauma-informed conference brings together educators, clinicians, social workers, coalition leaders, and youth-serving professionals to build transformational relationships with youth. The $50 conference pass includes access to the keynote training, interactive breakout sessions, 8 CEUs, lunch, and a “Radically Calm” t-shirt. Breakout sessions will highlight community-led work, and youth-serving partners or coalition leaders interested in presenting are encouraged to reach out to Christina Lennon at clennon@wellroot.org. Register here!

Funding

Blank Foundation awards $25M to support new mental health strategy: The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced it has committed $25 million this year to nonprofits that support mental health and well-being for youth and their families. For the next 10 years, the foundation's grants for its mental health and well-being program division will focus on three areas: establishing strong emotional bonds between parents and their infants; developing resilient children with a sense of belonging; and helping teens have a healthy relationship with digital technology.

Training

New Training Offerings from Georgia Center! The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy is offering low-cost trainings in January and February, ranging from $20–$30. Upcoming trainings include Connections Matter, Courage to Care (a child sexual abuse prevention training replacing the Darkness to Light curriculum), and a Human Trafficking Prevention training. For training dates, details, and registration, click here.

Changing Lanes Intervention Human Services is an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) by the Board of Behavior Analysis, with CEUs focused on mental health, intervention, self-care and supervision. They provide various courses that can help behavioral health professionals sharpen skills or expand your knowledge with techniques for bettering communication and increasing motivation in relationships (beneficial for parents). The Behavior Coach Certification 8-week course includes one-on-one support and personalized curriculum. They offer CEUs to Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), as well as Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs); and offer professional development units to Registered Behavior Therapists (RBTs). Other professionals, community members, and parents are also welcome to explore training opportunities through CLIHS.

FREE Upcoming ASIST Suicide Intervention Training! The VFW in Fairburn is partnering with Engage Life’s Choices to offer a free, two-day ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) workshop on January 5–6, 2026. This training is open to anyone age 16+ who wants to help prevent suicide. This evidence-based, globally recognized training equips participants to recognize suicide risk, engage in life-saving conversations, and help keep people safe using practical tools and real-time practice. Led by highly experienced ASIST-certified trainers, this workshop strengthens the circle of safety and helps build suicide-safer communities across Georgia. For questions please reach out to admin@elc4training.org. Register here!

Rural Mental Health

Alcohol Use Disorder Among Women In Rural America Rural Minds released a recorded webinar on alcohol use disorder among women in rural America. Hosted by various doctors, professors, and individuals with personal accounts, this series highlights the unique challenges women in rural America face related to alcohol use disorder. The holidays can be especially difficult for folks that struggle with substance use, so please share as you see fit!

Youth and Young Adult

Become a Georgia Teen Institute Staff Member! Our partners at GUIDE, Inc. are now accepting staff applications for Georgia Teen Institute (GTI) 2026, a transformative summer leadership program taking place in June. Volunteers ages 15 and older are needed to serve as Youth, Young Adult, and Adult Staff, supporting youth-led action teams from across Georgia as they build leadership, communication, and prevention-focused skills while creating positive community change. Apply by January 9 at 11:59 pm EST to be part of an engaging, impactful, and unforgettable experience. Please share with the youth and young adults in your network!