MONDAY MEMO #62
- nwarner12
- Jan 27
- 6 min read
Happy Monday! This week’s Memo highlights resources and trainings for parents and caregivers, upcoming professional development opportunities and events, and support specifically for rural communities and youth. But first, here are some reminders and highlights from the Resilient Georgia team:
RG Highlights
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!
Job Opportunity: Georgia Schools Student Advocacy Specialist: Georgia DOE is hiring multiple Student Advocacy Specialists to support student mental and behavioral health. This role coordinates early identification, referrals, tiered supports (MTSS), and partnerships with schools and community providers to improve student well-being, safety, and academic engagement. Please share widely with your networks!
10 Ways Families Can Fight Off the Winter Blues We hope everyone is staying warm this winter! Here are some tips from Strong4Life to help families fight off the winter blues: stay active and get sunlight when you can, eat balanced meals, keep routines, limit screen time, check in about feelings, build in fun and gratitude, and stay connected with loved ones.
Upcoming Dates!
January Round Calls: This month’s Round Calls are scheduled this week as follows:
Round 5: Monday, January 26th, 2pm
Round 2: Tuesday, January 27th, 11am Round 4 Tuesday, January 27th 2pm
Round 3: Thursday, January 29th, 1pm Round 1 Friday, January 30th, 10am
Coalition Highlights
Resilient West Central: Join Bloom University, co-lead for Resilient West Central, for a QPR Gatekeeper Training focused on suicide awareness and prevention. This virtual session on January 28th at 10AM equips participants with practical skills to recognize warning signs, offer support, and connect individuals to help. Additionally, coalition partner Coweta Family Connection shared the 5th Annual Nonprofit Summit: Passport to Philanthropy event that will take place February 12–13th in Peachtree City. This two-day event will bring together more than 100 nonprofit leaders and professionals for high-impact, practical sessions focused on strengthening fundraising and organizational impact, along with meaningful networking opportunities. Widely praised by past attendees as a “must-go” event, the summit is an energizing way to start the year with new ideas and connections. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are now open, and you can email cowetafamilyconnection@gmail.com for more information.
Resilient Chattahoochee Valley is celebrating the relaunch of the Museum PALS (Pre-K Art & Literacy in Schools) program in partnership with The Columbus Museum and United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley. After a year’s pause, PALS is back in 12 Muscogee County Pre-K classrooms, bringing monthly hands-on sessions that combine artwork exploration, storybook reading, and creative art activities to support early learning, literacy, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Teachers also receive materials and books to continue the learning throughout the month. This initiative builds on early childhood development strategies and strengthens classroom creativity and readiness for future success.
Parents, Caregivers and Families
Marriage after Childhood Trauma: Troubled Relationships Can Be Turned Around: By Dr. Glenn Schiraldi, this article expounds on challenges survivors of childhood trauma may face in their marriages as adults. Read the full article on PACEs Connection here.
Greater Good Parenting Talks - Parents Have Feelings, Too: Join UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center for a free virtual parenting talk on Wednesday, February 11th at 1:30 PM. This live conversation features psychotherapists and co-authors Hilary Jacobs Hendel and Juli Fraga and will explore the emotional realities of parenting using research-backed tools. Based on their book Parents Have Feelings, Too, the session will cover core and inhibitory emotions, the role of attachment styles in parenting, and practical strategies to move from overwhelm toward calm, connection, and compassion. This event is open to parents, caregivers, and professionals supporting families. Register here!
The TAC program through Georgia State’s Professional Excellence Program has trained more than 120 clinicians, helping strengthen adoption-competent, trauma-informed support for children and families across Georgia. In helping support adoptive families in the state, this training plays an important role in better supporting families throughout the adoption journey. In addition to its impact for families, the training also offers a nice benefit for clinicians’ practices—participants who complete the program are listed in the TAC-certified website, which helps families and referral partners more easily find adoption-competent providers.
Professional Development and Events
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement: Join this virtual informational session on February 12th at 2PM to learn about the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship-Focused Practice Promoting Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health® (I/ECMH). This credential validates specialized knowledge, training, and experience in infant and early childhood mental health, ensuring professionals meet established competency standards. The session will cover the Competency Guidelines, Endorsement pathways and categories, and the steps to begin the application process. Register here!
3rd Annual VA Southeast Region Virtual Suicide Prevention Research Conference: This conference on February 25th will bringing together researchers, clinicians, and partners to explore “Perspectives on Veteran Treatment and Support in Suicide Prevention.” The conference will feature expert presentations on current and emerging VA suicide prevention interventions, the role of peer specialists, and perspectives on suicide prevention in reproductive health care settings for women Veterans. CEUs will be available across multiple disciplines, and the day will conclude with a showcase of best practices and innovations.
Interfaith Children's Movement's 15th Annual Day at the Capitol: Interfaith Children’s Movement (ICM) is a statewide, interfaith nonprofit that mobilizes people of faith and goodwill to advocate for policies that help all children in Georgia thrive. In preparation for ICM’s Day at the Capitol on February 10th, ICM invites congregations and community partners to host Have a Heart Parties, gatherings where youth and adults write heartfelt messages to legislators reminding them to “Have a Heart” for children and families. Hosting is simple and flexible, no advocacy experience is needed, and ICM provides a complete Host Packet with step-by-step guidance. All parties should be completed by February 2 so cards can be prepared for legislators. To host or learn more, contact Aliza Ali, Student Advocacy & Engagement Specialist, at aliza.ali@icmgeorgia.org
Rural Health
Rural Health Transformation Program First Year Award: The Georgia Department of Community Health announced that Georgia has been awarded $218.8 million for the first year of the five-year Rural Health Transformation Program through the GREAT Health Initiative. This funding, awarded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will support efforts to strengthen rural healthcare systems, improve health outcomes, and introduce greater flexibility and innovation in care delivery across the state. Georgia’s award is one of the largest first-year allotments nationwide.
2026 Georgia Farm Stress Summit: Save the date for the Georgia Farm Stress Summit on March 12th in Fort Valley. A pre-conference Rural Mental Health Research Discussion and Farm Tour will take place on March 11th.
Youth
Silence the Shame Upcoming Programs: Silence the Shame is launching a trauma-informed pilot initiative, Restoring Hope, in February to support youth in the Atlanta Metro area who are transitioning out of foster care and the juvenile justice system. The program helps youth navigate adult and behavioral health systems, build understanding of trauma, and learn how to access care, while also offering virtual Parent Cafés for parents and caregivers. Youth receive incentives for completing four training sessions, with transportation assistance available. For more information, you can check out their Interest Meeting recording here (passcode: H@p6Ok+9). Silence the Shame is also hosting a community resource fair on April 18th from 12-3pm and is seeking vendors and partners to support youth transitioning into adulthood; organizations serving this population are encouraged to share and connect.
Free Your Feels Youth Mental Health Advocacy Toolkit: The FYF Mental Health Advocacy Toolkit brings together up-to-date tools, data, and resources from trusted organizations to support young people, caregivers, and professionals in advancing mental health advocacy. The toolkit highlights the role of youth as powerful drivers of change and emphasizes advocacy as a continuum, from self-advocacy and peer support to community and policy-level action. The resource focuses on breaking down stigma, increasing awareness, and promoting mental health equity by providing practical guidance and opportunities for engagement.
GCAPP Youth Advisory Council Application 2026-2027: Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Power & Potential is accepting applications for its Youth Advisory Council for the 2026–2027 cycle. The council is open to Georgia residents ages 14–24 who are interested in leadership development, youth advocacy, and advancing adolescent health and well-being at the community and state levels. This is a one-year commitment beginning in March, with activities held through a mix of virtual and in-person meetings. Most meetings will be virtual, and GCAPP will cover all expenses related to in-person activities. Applications are open through March 31, 2026.
THANK YOU FROM THE RESILIENT GEORGIA TEAM!