MONDAY MEMO #75
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Happy Mental Health Month and Children’s Mental Health Week! This week’s Monday Memo highlights a range of resources, including education resources and training, funding opportunities, professional development and training, and more. Before we dive in, here are a few reminders and highlights from RG:
RG Highlights
Thank you for joining Resilient Georgia’s Spring General Meeting! We were grateful to come together to highlight how the Community Resiliency Model is being implemented across multiple sectors statewide to support resilience, strengthen well-being, and expand trauma-informed practices in diverse communities. The meeting recording and presentation slides are now available on our website. A follow-up document with additional information and links shared during the meeting will be coming soon!
Upcoming Training: Community Resiliency Model (CRM): Join Nikki Warner on Wednesday May 13th from 10 AM–12 PM on Zoom for an interactive Community Resiliency Model (CRM) training. This trauma-informed training offers simple, practical tools to support stress regulation, connection, and resilience. Open to all, with a special focus on those working with young children (ages 0–5). Register here and please share widely with your networks!
This week is Children’s Mental Health Week! This statewide initiative led by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning highlights the importance of supporting young children’s social and emotional wellbeing. Their webpage offers free resources and activities for educators, families, and communities—including tools to build connection, support emotional development, and promote resilience in early childhood settings. Check it out!
Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! In recognition of Mental Health Month, we compiled a variety of resources to support emotional wellbeing and resilience. Mental Health America is hosting More Good Days, Together: A Virtual Wellness Experience on May 20 from 12–2 PM ET, featuring guided chair yoga, journaling, and breathwork designed to reduce stress and promote healthy habits. Cobb County Public Library also offers a Self-Care, Mindfulness, and Mental Health Booklist with curated titles for children, teens, and adults focused on mindfulness, resilience, and mental wellness. In the article Beyond Happiness from Duke Magazine, Kate Bowler explores the difference between happiness and joy through reflections on grief, resilience, and finding meaning during difficult moments. Additionally, a 10-minute guided meditation led by Carolina Bautista-Velez offers participants an opportunity to practice mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional reflection through themes of presence, grief, and forgiveness. Also this Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) online session Friday, May 15 from 11AM–12PM led by Vira Salzburn is an intro to mindfulness and self-compassion skills designed to support educators, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and anyone experiencing burnout, self-criticism, or stress.
Coalition Highlights
Resilient South Central Georgia is one of our newest regional coalitions that brings together partners, leaders, and communities across nine South Central Georgia counties to strengthen resilience, promote trauma-informed practices, increase mental health awareness, and support youth and families. Serving Appling, Candler, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Tattnall, Toombs, and Wayne counties, the collaborative focuses on building stronger systems of care through shared resources, partnerships, and community-driven strategies. Check out their April Newsletter to learn more about the ongoing work!
Resilient Middle Georgia: The Methodist Home, RMG partner, is hosting a Youth Suicide Prevention Training on Friday, May 29th from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM in Macon. This training will provide participants with practical tools to recognize, prevent, and respond to youth suicide and self-harm, while exploring current trends, trauma impacts, communication strategies, and intervention techniques. Designed for mental health professionals educators, healthcare providers, youth-serving organizations, and community leaders, the training offers 6 continuing education hours through LPCGA, GAMFT, and GSCSW. Register here!
Education
DOE Mental Health Awareness Training: The Georgia Department of Education’s Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) offers customizable, on-demand trainings for schools and community partners across the state. Designed for a wide range of audiences, from educators and school staff to community stakeholders, these sessions cover topics such as suicide prevention, trauma, educator wellness, and general mental health awareness. Trainings are typically one hour and can be tailored to meet outlined in the MHAT course catalog. Organizations can request a training to support professional learning and strengthen whole child supports in their communities.
Georgia Multi-Tiered System of Supports: The Georgia Department of Education has introduced the updated Georgia Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework and flowchart, a statewide approach designed to help every student thrive through coordinated academic, behavioral, and wellbeing supports. GaMTSS emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and data-informed decision making to ensure students receive the right support at the right time. The framework is intended to guide districts and schools in building strong systems of support through collaboration, integrated student services, clear behavioral expectations, positive school climate strategies, and ongoing progress monitoring. Educational professionals are encouraged to explore and utilize this framework to strengthen prevention efforts, improve student wellbeing, and support positive outcomes for all learners. Check out this guide for strategies and tools to help implement prevention-focused, trauma-informed supports within schools and districts. Please share with your educational partners!
Funding
"2026 Moment of Spark" Grant: The Georgia Health Initiative is accepting applications for its 2026 Moment of Spark Grant, a one-year funding opportunity providing up to $55,000 to support established or emerging collaboratives responding to timely community needs or opportunities for change. The grant encourages creative, community-driven approaches that build momentum around advocacy, systems change, and local impact. In addition to funding, grantees will receive coaching and technical assistance in areas such as strategic communications, advocacy, and grassroots organizing, along with ongoing support from the Initiative’s Community Engagement team. An informational session is available for those interested in learning more about the opportunity, register here!
Georgia in the News
Georgia legislature first in nation to link arts and mental health : Georgia has become the first state in the U.S. to pass a statewide legislative measure explicitly linking the arts to mental health outcomes through House Resolution 1007, a bipartisan effort recognizing the role of arts organizations, artists, and arts-based interventions in supporting trauma recovery, mental health, and community resilience. While the resolution does not allocate funding, advocates describe it as an important policy signal that could lay the groundwork for future investment in “neuroarts” and arts-in-health initiatives. The effort grew out of Healing Arts Atlanta and a broad coalition of arts, health, and research partners, including the Woodruff Arts Center, the Carter Center, BLKHLTH, and university-based researchers. Alongside the resolution, initiatives like the Georgia NeuroArts Coalition are expanding efforts across 11 communities to study and apply how arts engagement supports brain health across the lifespan.
YMCA of Metro Atlanta Recognized for their Excellence in Child Safety: The YMCA of Metro Atlanta was recognized for meeting nationally recognized standards in child sexual abuse prevention and youth safety. The accreditation reflects a rigorous evaluation of the YMCA’s policies, staff screening, training, supervision, reporting systems, and overall safety practices. This designation places the organization among the first 20% of YMCA associations to achieve this recognition and affirms its commitment to maintaining safe environments for youth. The accreditation is valid for three years, during which the YMCA will continue upholding these child protection standards.
Professional Development and Training
Trauma-Focused CBT Webinar: In this exclusive webinar, Dr. Diane Gehart breaks down the essential principles of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): one of the most effective, evidence-based approaches for treating trauma in children, adolescents, and families. To learn more, visit Therapy That Works Institute. For questions, reach out to: Friendlyhelp@dianegehart.com.
The Montana Summer Institute 2026: Creating Conditions Where the Good Can Grow will take place June 16–19, 2026, in Big Sky, Montana and via livestream. Recognized as a leading conference on the Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, and the Science of Positive Experiences, the event will explore strategies to strengthen resilience, protective factors, and community wellbeing. Through case studies, hands-on learning, and practical tools, participants will gain approaches to fostering positive change across areas such as mental health, substance use prevention, child wellbeing, and community safety. Registered attendees are also encouraged to participate in a pre-institute webinar introducing the foundational frameworks and research behind the conference themes.
When Everything Feels Uncertain: Leading with Accountability When the Ground is Shifting: This recorded presentation from Tend Collective explores how individuals and teams can maintain accountability with compassion and consistency during times of uncertainty and stress. Designed for workplace professionals, the session discusses how unclear expectations and broken agreements can impact trust and team functioning, while offering practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations, repairing relationships, and creating supportive accountability structures. The presentation also examines the “polycrisis era,” the brain science of uncertainty, and seven actionable tools participants can implement immediately to foster connection, clarity, and resilience in the workplace.
THANK YOU FROM THE RESILIENT GEORGIA TEAM!