MONDAY MEMO #65

Feb 17
6 min read

Happy Monday! This week’s Memo highlights resources in education, healthcare, funding opportunities, a variety of professional development events and trainings, and statewide advocacy efforts. But first, here are some reminders and highlights from the Resilient Georgia team:

RG Highlights

Big News for Georgia MFTs! The Georgia General Assembly has officially passed SR 589 and HR 1123, recognizing February 11, 2026, as Marriage and Family Therapy Day at the Capitol. This recognition honors the vital role MFTs play in strengthening individuals, families, and communities across Georgia, while educating lawmakers about MFTs’ essential contributions to the state’s mental health system. This milestone celebrates the profession’s impact, including providing evidence-based, systems-focused care; serving rural and underserved communities; collaborating across sectors; and promoting long-term resilience statewide. Shoutout to our very own MFT, Dr. Andrea Meyer Stinson! Incredibly grateful for her expertise, leadership and dedication to creating a well-equipped and trauma-informed workforce across our state.

State of the US Ecosystem - Foundation for Social Connection: The Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC) has released its inaugural U.S. Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Connection (SILC) Ecosystem Map and State of the U.S. Ecosystem Report. Informed by insights from more than 60 organizations across nonprofits, government, and coalitions, the report establishes a baseline for understanding this rapidly growing but fragmented field and highlights opportunities to strengthen coordination, research, policy, and funding. Resilient Georgia is proud to be featured on the SILC Ecosystem Map. F4SC will host a webinar on February 18th from 2–3PM to introduce the interactive map and share key findings from the report.

Host a Screening and Community Conversation on Mental Health Stigma: A38 Films, led by filmmaker Antwon Lindsey, is engaging communities across Georgia through HUSH: Help Us Say Help, a documentary exploring generational trauma, mental health stigma, and access to support within Black and Brown communities. Rooted in lived experience and community storytelling, HUSH serves as an entry point for meaningful conversations around mental health, healing, and help-seeking. The film has been featured at universities, conferences, and community gatherings. Through film screenings and facilitated conversations, A38 Films works alongside community partners to support trauma-informed dialogue and connection to existing mental health resources. Contact: Marquez P. Davis at marquez@thedavis-brand.com . Folks can also reply to this email to request a direct connection.

Coalition Highlights

Resilient Northeast Georgia: Please join Resilient Northeast Georgia in welcoming Lily Anthony, the first RNEGA Fellow! Lily joins the Athens Area Community Foundation full-time to support Resilient Northeast Georgia’s signature programming, the Trauma-Informed Communities Grant Opportunity, online toolkit resources, and the development of new community-wide supports across our region. “I am so excited to start at the Athens Area Community Foundation as the Resilient Northeast Georgia Fellow and help serve the community I love so deeply,” shared Lily.

Resilient Communities of East Georgia: Child Enrichment, partner of RCEGA, is hosting a Mandated Reporter training for teachers, school personnel, doctors, nurses, counselors, therapists, childcare providers, and youth-serving organizations. The training will be held on February 26, from 9:30–11:00 AM via Zoom. Register here! For more information, please reach out to their Prevention Director, Caitlyn Brantley, at CBrantley@ChildEnrichment.org

Education

State of Higher Education: The Georgia Chamber will host the State of Higher Education on February 25 from 10:30AM to 1:30PM at the Georgia Tech Exhibition Hall. This convening will bring together leaders from the Technical College System of Georgia, the University System of Georgia, and Georgia’s independent colleges to discuss key initiatives and emerging trends shaping postsecondary education across the state. The event will focus on workforce readiness, education policy, and the future of Georgia’s talent pipeline, with featured speakers including Sonny Perdue, Gregory Dozie, and Jenna Colvin. Register here!

Funding

Funding Opportunity: OVC Preventing Trafficking of Girls (FY25): The Office for Victims of Crime has announced the FY25 Preventing Trafficking of Girls grant ($3.4M) to prevent and reduce sex and labor trafficking among girls and young women age 25 and under. The program supports prevention, education, awareness, resilience-building, and community support, as well as early intervention and trauma-informed services for those at risk or currently impacted. Opportunities for partnership are available, including MOUs/LOIs.

Healthcare

Maternal Health Oberservership Summer Experience: The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center is offering a six-week Maternal Health Observership Summer Experience from June 15 to July 24, 2026, for rising second-year medical students who are Georgia natives with a strong interest in obstetrics/gynecology and rural health. Participants will reside in Middle Georgia and shadow OB/GYN providers in rural, medically underserved communities, while also engaging in a didactic curriculum that includes journal club and opportunities for publication. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic standing, leadership involvement, interest in rural maternal health, effective communication skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as well as have reliable transportation. The application deadline is March 26, 2026, and requires a current resume, letter of intent, and a faculty letter of recommendation.

The Advanced Practice Provider Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program at Emory University is a 12-month, full time program that prepares nurse practitioners and licensed clinical social workers for clinical careers in addiction medicine. In response to Georgia’s high rates of substance use and limited access to mental health services, the program trains licensed and license eligible providers to deliver trauma informed, evidence-based care, including medication for opioid use disorder, in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. Fellows receive integrated training in primary care and community-based settings, peer and expert led education, support toward addiction certification hours, conference opportunities, and a monthly stipend. Applications are open through May 1 for cohorts beginning July 5.

Professional Development and Training

The Knowledge to Action Conversation, Art-Based Trauma Care for Teens Experiencing Homelessness, will be held on February 19 from 10:00AM to 11:30AM. This event will feature Malika Whitley, Founder and Executive Director of ChopArt, an Atlanta-based arts nonprofit serving youth experiencing homelessness. The conversation will explore what trauma responsive practice looks like when working with teens facing housing instability and how creative expression, including movement, visual art, music, and storytelling, can help young people process trauma, build resilience, and strengthen agency. Participants will also learn about ChopArt’s alumni leadership model and gain practical strategies that can be adapted across shelters, schools, child welfare, and community settings.

Multicultural Family Hub offers culturally inquisitive, trauma-informed workshops designed for mental health and helping professionals that get to the root of burnout, leadership challenges, and workplace culture. Flexible options include informal Lunch & Learns to build awareness, 90-minute trainings to strengthen skills, immersive half-day experiences that shift culture, and a three-part leadership development series that supports lasting organizational transformation. Interested in bringing this training to your organization? Contact multiculturalfamilyhub@gmail.com to learn more or reply to this email to request a direct connection.

Triple P, the Positive Parenting Program, offers practical strategies that help parents support their child’s development and build a happier, calmer family life. Designed for families with children from birth through age 16, Triple P provides flexible options to fit different needs, including group parenting sessions, one-on-one support with local providers, and free online programs. Triple P Online (for parents of children up to age 12) and Teen Triple P Online (for ages 10 to 16) feature short, self-paced modules that help parents confidently manage challenging behaviors, strengthen relationships, and promote resilience, confidence, and positive life skills.

Statewide Advocacy

Georgia Women’s Policy Institute Applications are now open for the Georgia Women’s Policy Institute (GWPI) State Advocacy Cohort, a nonpartisan policy education and leadership fellowship of YWCA Greater Atlanta. GWPI equips women across Georgia with the knowledge, skills, and connections to engage in legislative advocacy and advance equity for women, girls, and families. Learn more and apply by April 1!

Georgia Mental Health Policy Partnership – Key Priorities: The Georgia Mental Health Policy Partnership is advancing a focused 2026 advocacy agenda centered on enforcing mental health parity, protecting children, saving lives, and strengthening Georgia’s safety net. Top priorities include full enforcement of the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act to stop delays, denials, and “ghost networks”; expanding trauma-informed, preventive, and early-intervention services for children, including school-based care and rapid follow-up after crises; closing the Medicaid coverage gap to reduce disparities and support rural and underserved communities; preventing suicide and overdose through faster access to treatment, MAT, crisis stabilization, and improved data transparency; and strengthening the workforce and systems by streamlining provider licensing and paneling and investing in supportive housing and benefits access. Together, these objectives aim to ensure coverage means real access to timely, high-quality behavioral health care across Georgia.

THANK YOU FROM THE RESILIENT GEORGIA TEAM!