MONDAY MEMO #66
- Feb 25
- 6 min read
Happy Monday! This week’s Memo highlights resources for schools, a variety of professional development, events, and trainings, including CSA prevention and support, and youth mental health resources. But first, here are some reminders and highlights from the Resilient Georgia team:
RG Highlights
Thank you to everyone who joined our February Lunch and Learn! Jesse Kohler, Executive Director of the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice (CTIPP), shared practical resources and strategies for building trauma-informed workplaces across sectors. For those who were unable to attend, the recording, slides, and additional resources—including the Trauma-Informed Workplaces Toolkit and RG's sector-specific TI guides—are available to review. Also be sure to check out RG’s newly developed Trauma-Informed Workplace Flyer for Businesses. We also invite participants to complete the brief February Lunch and Learn survey to help inform future sessions, and we’re happy to make connections to Jesse for those interested in learning more.
SAVE THE DATE for our next Lunch & Learn on March 12th, Using Data to Drive Mental Health Advocacy & Policy, featuring Kim Jones and Roland Behm of the Georgia Mental Health Policy Partnership (GMHPP).
New Handle With Care Webpage Now Live! Resilient Georgia has launched a new Handle With Care webpage to support communities interested in implementing this trauma-informed model. HWC helps ensure that when children are exposed to traumatic events, schools are notified so they can respond with care, understanding, and support—without sharing details of the incident. The resource includes an overview of the model, implementation guidance, and resources to help communities get started or strengthen existing efforts. Please share widely!
GCN Nonprofit Forecast Survey: This survey from the Georgia Center for Nonprofits gathers real-time insights from nonprofit CEOs and senior leaders on funding, workforce stability, mission delivery, and community impact over the next year. Responses are confidential and aggregated, and participants receive a statewide benchmark to understand how peers are navigating change. Findings will inform nonprofit infrastructure investments and advocacy—please help share the survey with nonprofit leaders across Georgia.
Upcoming Dates! February Round Calls are scheduled this week as follows:
Round 5: Monday, February 23rd, 2pm
Round 2: Tuesday, February 24th, 11am Round 4: Tuesday, February 24th 2pm
Round 3: Thursday, February 26th, 1pm Round 1: Friday, February 27th, 10am
Coalition Highlights
Resilient Chattahoochee Valley is continuing to broaden their impact across the region and are inviting passionate community members to join their Steering Committee. This group will meet quarterly to help guide strategic direction, discuss key initiatives, and ensure the work remains responsive to the needs of the Chattahoochee Valley. If you are looking for a way to expand your involvement and help drive their collective mission forward, they would be honored to have you. Interested in learning more or joining the committee? Please reach out to RCV coalition lead Imani Jones ijones@unitedcv.org.
Join Resilient Gwinnett in Action Summit on Thursday, March 26 from 8AM–5PM for a full-day summit designed to move the community from awareness to action. The day includes an opening plenary, a keynote on Systemic Empathy as the Blueprint to Cultivate Resiliency featuring Dr. Stan Sonu of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, three impact tracks (Youth Services, Education, or Business), lunch and networking, an afternoon spotlight on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Human Trafficking, and a closing plenary reception. Partial scholarships are available to ensure cost is not a barrier. View the full agenda and register today!
Education
Disney Musicals in Schools: Stage Connect Applications, an online teacher training platform that helps public elementary schools build sustainable musical theater programs, are now open for the 2026–2027 school year. Open to any public elementary school in the U.S., with priority for schools with demonstrated economic need, this program offers high-quality online professional development and removes geographic barriers. Up to 200 schools will receive free access to Stage Connect and free Disney show performance rights. The application deadline is March 9th and space is limited through a competitive grant process—please share with school partners as a powerful Positive Childhood Experience (PCE) for students.
Professional Development, Training and Events
Joyful Resistance: A Day of Storytelling, Solidarity, and Action Join the Justice Reform Partnership tomorrow February 24, from 8AM–3PM in downtown Atlanta. This in-person and livestreamed event brings together community members, advocates, and policy experts to learn about criminal legal reform, engage in storytelling and advocacy, and connect with Georgia lawmakers at the State Capitol. Breakfast and lunch are provided. The event will be livestreamed via Facebook, YouTube, and their website. Tune in tomorrow!
ZERO TO THREE Fellowship is a competitive leadership development program for early- to mid-career professionals (5–15 years of experience) who are committed to transforming programs, systems, and policies to ensure infants and toddlers have a strong start in life. This fellowship brings together a diverse group of leaders to build leadership capacity, advance a personal Vision for Change, and strengthen early childhood systems. The 2026–2028 Fellowship runs from October 2026 through Spring 2028 and includes required in-person meetings with travel covered (excluding international airfare). Applications are open until April 1, with selections announced in mid-July 2026.
Connections Matter: Registration is now open for a 3-hour virtual interactive training on March 3rd from 9AM-12PM that explores Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), brain development, resilience, and the powerful role of relationships and community in fostering well-being. For those interested in facilitating this training locally, Georgia Center for Child Advocacy is hosting an all-day, in-person Train-the-Trainer opportunity is available on March 24, equipping participants to facilitate this meaningful workshop in their own communities. Participants must have completed the CM training prior to registering for the TOT.
Join Changing Lanes and CWC Alliance for an upcoming Youth Prevention Network (YPN) training session in April and May 2026! Changing Lanes is recruiting teens (ages 13–20) to serve as Youth Prevention Advocates (YPA) and adults to serve as Youth Prevention Mentors (YPM) for this paid 12-hour training focused on mental wellness, leadership development, and substance misuse prevention. Youth participants earn $15/hour, and adult mentors earn $20/hour, with transportation support available. The training includes a combination of in-person and virtual sessions and equips participants with practical tools to lead positive change in their communities. Sign up by March 20th!
Sexual Abuse Prevention Training and Support
Due to strong interest, three new Courage to Care Train-the-Trainer workshops have been added: February 27 (Northwest GA), March 11 (Atlanta), and April 28 (Atlanta). Courage to Care is a Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention training. These full-day, in-person TOTs are available at a special rate for former Stewards of Children Georgia facilitators through April. To participate, facilitators must complete a 2-hour virtual Courage to Care training and attend a Train-the-Trainer workshop. Register here!
Registration is also open through GCCA for 2-hour virtual trainings focused on deepening understanding of how children are recruited into commercial sexual exploitation and how prevention can occur at the individual, community, and systems levels. Sessions are available on February 26 and March 5 (healthcare-focused). For those interested in expanding their impact, a Train-the-Trainer course is also available on March 4, preparing participants to confidently deliver CSEC Prevention trainings within their own communities.
Sexual Abuse Healing and Prevention Resources | Saprea: Saprea is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending child sexual abuse and addressing its long-term impacts through free, evidence-informed healing and prevention resources. Saprea supports adult survivors of childhood and adolescent sexual abuse through retreats, workshops, support groups, webinars, and online tools focused on trauma healing and post-traumatic growth. The organization also equips parents, caregivers, and communities with prevention education, awareness training, and no-cost opportunities to become volunteer community educators. Additional resources help individuals better understand child sexual abuse and how to prevent it. Saprea will also be participating in National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and has shareable awareness assets available. To learn more and stay connected, follow @saprea on social media for ongoing education and resources. Please share with your networks!
Youth Mental Health
Restoring the Village: A Community Conversation to Support Teen Mental Health: Join She Soars for a community conversation designed for anyone who cares about teens and young adults and may wonder, Am I saying the right thing? Am I doing enough? What if I make it worse? This event will take place on Thursday, March 26th from 5:30–7:00PM at Emory University’s Claudia Nance Rollins Building. All are welcome, and attendees will enjoy refreshments and stress kits. They are also looking for partners to table and get involved in the event to share resources and support for youth and families. Email info@gosoar.org for more information on how to participate. Registration is now open.
Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens: Karen Bluth offers several mindfulness and self-compassion resources to support teen mental health. Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens in Schools equips educators with 16 ready-to-use lessons to help students manage stress, anxiety, and self-criticism. Self-Compassion for Girls guides caregivers in helping teen girls build resilience and reduce depression risk. The Self-Compassionate Teen and The Self-Compassion Workbook for Teens provide practical exercises to quiet the inner critic and strengthen emotional well-being, while Mindfulness and Self-Compassion for Teen ADHD focuses on executive functioning and confidence for teens with ADHD. Together, these resources offer accessible tools for teens, parents, and educators to foster resilience and self-kindness.
THANK YOU FROM THE RESILIENT GEORGIA TEAM!