MONDAY MEMO #83
- Jul 6
- 6 min read
Happy Monday! We hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend celebrating the 4th of July. This week features a variety of resources and opportunities focused on funding, professional development, education, youth mental health, and more. Before we dive in, here are a few highlights from the RG team:
RG Highlights
Resilient Georgia’s 2024–2025 Impact Report highlights a year of meaningful growth and collective impact, made possible through collaboration, shared learning, and strong partnerships across the state. Over the past year, the network expanded to all 159 counties, engaged more than 900 partners across 14 sectors, and advanced new workforce initiatives, evaluation efforts, and trauma-informed resources.
Call for Authors: Resilient Futures Blog Series RG is seeking guest contributors for its 2026–2027 Resilient Futures blog campaign, a statewide series focused on youth mental health and well-being. Youth ages 14–26, parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, advocates, researchers, and community leaders are invited to share personal stories, professional insights, and evidence-based approaches that help young people build resilience and thrive. For more information, contact nwarner@resilientga.org.
July is BIPOC Mental Health Month, a time to uplift the unique mental health experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color while acknowledging ongoing disparities in access to care. This awareness month emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive support and open conversations—especially for groups like Black men, who often face compounded barriers such as stigma, mistrust, and limited access to effective treatment. You can learn more through this resource: Black Men Matter – Examining Mental Health Issues among Black Men, which highlights how historical trauma, systemic inequities, and mental health stigma continue to impact Black men’s well-being, and underscores the need for culturally relevant care, increased access to services, and community-centered approaches to healing.
Grady Health Foundation’s “Talk With Me Baby” program was recently featured on PBS, highlighting the impact of this innovative, evidence-based initiative that supports early childhood development and healthy parent-child interactions. Resilient Georgia is proud that Board Chair Emeritus Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald helped build and champion the program during her tenure as Georgia’s Department of Public Health Commissioner and State Health Officer. This recognition underscores the importance of investing in prevention, strong community partnerships, and proven approaches that improve child well-being and strengthen resilience across Georgia. Congratulations to the Grady and Rollins teams, and all who have contributed to the program’s success!
Coalition Highlights
Resilient Northeast Georgia offers a free Trauma & Resilience Toolkit featuring downloadable resources, educational materials, and social media content to help raise awareness about trauma, ACEs, and resilience. The coalition is also sharing a job opportunity to join the Athens Area Community Foundation team as a Community Leadership Manager, helping strengthen partnerships and community impact efforts across Northeast Georgia. Additionally, RNEGA is hosting a virtual Connections Matter training facilitated by RG’s Nikki Warner on July 31st from 9am-noon. Register here!
The Waycross Resilient Georgia Partnership led by the Magnolia House and Waycross Family Justice Center has officially rebranded as Resilient Southeast Georgia, a name that more accurately reflects the coalition’s regional reach and impact across Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Pierce, and Ware counties. While the name has changed, the coalition remains committed to advancing trauma-informed practices, strengthening community resilience, and improving health and well-being throughout Waycross and surrounding regions in Southeast Georgia.
Funding
Economic Opportunity Grant Program | Nasdaq: The Nasdaq Philanthropic Foundation’s Economic Opportunity Grant Program supports organizations working to expand economic opportunity by increasing access to resources, capital, and wealth-building pathways, particularly in underserved communities. Funding is available for initiatives focused on areas such as financial literacy, rural wealth building, access to capital, and community ownership models, with an emphasis on measurable impact and scalability. Grants typically support one-year projects, with potential for multi-year funding. Applications are due July 31, 2026.
2026 FARE Fund | America's Healthy Food Financing Initiative: The America’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) is accepting applications for its Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund, which supports projects that increase access to affordable, nutritious food in underserved communities. Funding is available for planning and implementation efforts, with priority given to projects serving low-income or rural areas, creating quality jobs, and supporting women- and BIPOC-led businesses. Funding Inquiry Forms are due July 31, 2026, with eligible applicants invited to submit full applications by October 30, 2026.
GREAT Health Telehealth Enhancements Grant Opportunity: The Georgia Department of Community Health is accepting applications through July 15, 2026 for the fourth round of its GREAT Health Program’s Telehealth Enhancements funding opportunity. Up to $10 million is available to support rural hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations serving Georgia’s eligible rural counties. Grants will fund innovative telehealth projects that expand access to care, strengthen healthcare coordination, increase collaboration among healthcare and behavioral health partners, and build sustainable, patient-centered healthcare systems.
Education & Elections
Better Future for Georgia: 2026 Election Issues Guide: The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE) has released its Better Future for Georgia Election Issues Guide, a nonpartisan resource that highlights the connection between public education, workforce readiness, and Georgia’s long-term economic success. The guide outlines key issues facing students and schools and encourages voters to engage with candidates on topics such as educational achievement, teacher recruitment and retention, and career pathway opportunities.
Professional Development
NAMI Gwinnett Webinar: Breaking the Silence: Why Minority Mental Health Matters Join the Spotlight On Series hosted by NAMI Gwinnett for a free virtual session, “Breaking the Silence: Why Minority Mental Health Matters,” on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 7–8PM (Zoom). This one-hour webinar will feature Dr. Wendell Fields—an experienced leader in mental health, suicide prevention, and peer support—who brings over 30 years of expertise and serves with the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network and NAMI Georgia Board.
Free Mindful Self-Compassion Mid-Year Renewal Retreat – July 25: The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (CMSC) is offering a free online Renewal Retreat on Saturday July 25th themed “Renewal: Belonging to Ourselves and Each Other.” Participants can attend one or both retreat sessions and explore practices that cultivate mindfulness, self-kindness, connection, and resilience during times of stress and uncertainty. The event features renowned self-compassion experts, including MSC co-founders Kristin Neff and Chris Germer, along with teachers from around the world. The retreat is free and open to all, with replay access available for seven days after the event.
Become a Georgia Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network is accepting applications for Georgia Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) training cohorts through July 17th at 5PM. Virtual trainings will be held August 17–21 (Cohort 117) and September 14–18 (Cohort 118). CPSs use their lived experience to support recovery, inspire hope, and help others across Georgia. Interested individuals can apply through the program application and take the next step toward becoming a peer leader. Apply now!
Youth Mental Health
Are we using screens as a scapegoat for teen mental health? A recent NPR TED Radio Hour explores whether screens and social media are being blamed for rising youth mental health concerns. The discussion highlights research suggesting that while technology can contribute to challenges for some youth, factors such as family stress, school pressures, economic hardship, and broader social conditions may play a larger role in shaping mental health outcomes. The episode encourages a nuanced conversation about supporting young people by addressing the full range of influences on their well-being rather than focusing solely on screen time.
Emory Addiction Center expands adolescent services as child overdoses see slight uptick – WABE: Emory Healthcare has expanded its adolescent addiction services with a new 7,000-square-foot outpatient treatment center serving youth and young adults. The expansion strengthens prevention, screening, early intervention, and treatment for substance use disorders, particularly as Georgia has seen an increase in overdose-related emergency room visits among children ages 10–14. Through a partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the initiative also improves referral pathways and access to specialized care for young people and their families.
Respectful Ways Beyond the Classroom: Respectful Ways is not only for schools. The courses are in active use in residential group homes, where consistent trauma-informed support matters just as much as it does in a classroom. The same shared language that steadies a school building helps create stability and trust in residential care, giving staff and young people a common foundation to lean on. Check it out and share with your partners!
THANK YOU FROM THE RESILIENT GEORGIA TEAM!