MONDAY MEMO #86
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Happy Monday, partners! It’s hard to believe summer is already coming to an end. This week we are highlighting a range of resources, including BACK TO SCHOOL resources and events, professional development and training opportunities and resources for youth. Before we dive in, here are a few reminders and highlights from the RG team:
RG Highlights
Staff Announcement: Alex’s Promotion! We’re excited to share that, effective next month, Alex will step into the role of a Regional Coalition Program Manager at Resilient Georgia. In this position, Alex will continue supporting and strengthening our regional coalition network while helping advance collaborative, community-driven efforts to build resilience across Georgia. Please join us in congratulating Alex on a well-deserved promotion and wish her success in her new role!
Advocacy Alert: Protect CDC Injury Center Funding! The CDC Injury Center plays a critical role in preventing violence across the country, including domestic violence and child abuse. According to information shared through Safe States, proposed federal budget cuts could threaten the Center’s funding, and advocates are encouraging stakeholders to engage with their elected representatives during the August congressional recess. Safe States has developed resources and action tools to support advocacy efforts. Take action here!
Call for Authors: Resilient Futures Blog Series: Resilient Georgia is seeking authors 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.
Reducing Burnout Through Trauma-Informed Care and Human Connection: As organizations continue to navigate workforce stress, burnout, and rapid technological change, experts emphasize the importance of fostering workplace cultures grounded in trauma-informed care and human connection. In the webinar recording featuring Dr. Sadie Elisseou, viewers can explore strategies for supporting well-being, reducing burnout, and creating psychologically safe environments where employees can thrive. Additionally, this LinkedIn article "The Competitive Advantage Organizations Can't Afford to Lose" highlights how strong workplace relationships improve engagement, resilience, retention, and innovation. Organizations interested in advancing workplace mental health may also explore the Carter Center's upcoming Employer Symposium for Workplace Mental Health on August 20th from 10AM–3PM.
Coalition Highlights
FREE Connections Matter Training: Join Resilient Communities of East Georgia on August 7 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM at Child Enrichment in Augusta for a free Connections Matter Training designed for professionals and community partners who serve children, youth, and families. Participants will learn practical, trauma-informed strategies to strengthen relationships, build resilience, and prevent adversity, while earning CEUs for LPCs, Social Workers, and LMFTs. Attendees will also receive a complimentary lunch and a $100 participation incentive sponsored by the Red Cross.
Resilient WEST: Register for a virtual Community Resiliency Model (CRM) Training on August 26, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM. This interactive training introduces practical, science-based skills to help individuals manage stress, build resilience, and understand how trauma affects the nervous system. Participants will learn six foundational wellness skills, explore the concept of the Resilient Zone, and gain practical tools they can immediately use to support youth and strengthen trauma-informed resilience-focused communities. The training is open to individuals from all sectors, and no clinical background is required. For questions, contact Bridgette Stewart at bstewart@westga.edu.
ACES
Economic Burden of Health Conditions Associated With Adverse Childhood Experiences: A study found that 63% of U.S. adults have experienced at least one ACE, with ACE-related health conditions generating an estimated $14.1 trillion in annual economic costs. This includes $183 billion in direct medical expenses and $13.9 trillion in lost healthy life-years, averaging $88,000 per affected adult each year and $2.4 million over a lifetime. Adults with 4+ ACEs, representing 22% of the population, accounted for 58% of the total economic burden. The findings underscore the significant long-term health and financial impacts of childhood adversity and highlight the importance of investing in prevention and early intervention strategies to improve health outcomes and reduce costs.
Professional Development and Events
Trauma-Informed Lactation Care, offered by Leah’s Pantry, is a two-part virtual training designed for lactation consultants, WIC staff, educators, and maternal health professionals. Participants will learn how to provide compassionate, trauma-informed support that recognizes the impact of adversity, trauma, and medical distrust on lactation experiences. Using evidence-based research, reflective activities, and a strengths-based approach, the training helps providers build relational skills that reduce distress, support client autonomy, and foster trust. The series will be held virtually on September 17 and 24, from 1–3PM EST. Registration is $75. Learn more and register at Leah’s Pantry.
Georgia Democracy Resilience Network's Community Engagement Training: This Building Local Civic Resilience event will take place on August 8th from 9AM–12PM at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta. This community engagement training will provide civic, community, and faith leaders with tools to promote civility, navigate difficult conversations, and address division within their communities. As election season approaches, participants will explore proactive strategies to reduce tensions and strengthen trust across neighborhoods, congregations, and local organizations. Register here!
Georgia 2Gen Summit – Registration Now Open: Join practitioners, policymakers, and
community leaders from across Georgia and the nation at the Georgia 2Gen Summit on
September 15–16, at the Atlanta Evergreen Conference Center. This two-day event will
showcase innovative whole-family (2Gen) approaches that address systemic challenges and improve outcomes for children and families. Participants will learn from national experts through keynotes, panels, interactive breakout sessions, and a special pre-conference 2Gen Academy workshop. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain practical strategies, explore promising practices, and strengthen partnerships with colleagues committed to advancing family well-being. Register here!
Back to School
Preparing Kids to Go Back to School: This Strong4Life resource offers practical tips to help families support children's health and well-being as they prepare for a new school year. It provides guidance on starting open conversations, acknowledging back-to-school emotions, establishing healthy routines, managing anxiety, and building resilience to help children successfully navigate the transition back to school.
The State of Child Health and Well-Being in Georgia 2026: Join the Emory Center for Child Health Policy on August 12 at 12:00 PM for a webinar highlighting findings from its annual statewide poll of Georgia parents. Experts and advocates will discuss how key issues, including mental health, cell phone use, and food insecurity, are affecting children's health and well-being, while sharing recommendations to help improve outcomes for children across Georgia. Register here!
Attend the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education's Critical Issues Forum on August 13 from 9:30 AM–12PM at The Gathering Spot ATL. This forum will feature Democratic candidate Dr. Lydia Powell and incumbent Republican State School Superintendent Richard Woods as they discuss their visions for Georgia public education and address key education issues facing the state in 2027. Moderated by Donna Lowry of Georgia Public Broadcasting, the event will include a panel of education leaders and provide attendees with an opportunity to hear the candidates' priorities and perspectives on the future of education in Georgia.
Providing Suicide-Focused Care in K–12 Schools: Join this webinar on July 30 at 3:00 PM to learn practical strategies for developing, implementing, and sustaining suicide-focused interventions in K–12 schools. The session will explore topics including staff training, supervision, informed consent, strengthening mental health infrastructure in rural and under-resourced schools, and best practices for follow-up, referrals, and documentation to support students at risk.
Georgia School Cellphone Policies: From Policy to Practice: In partnership with The Georgia DOE, the second annual statewide conference will be held on August 13th from 9:30 AM–3PM at the R. Randall Rollins Building in Atlanta. The conference will bring together educators, policymakers, researchers, students, parents, and community leaders to discuss emerging research, implementation strategies, and practical resources for school cellphone policies, while promoting cross-sector collaboration to support student learning, well-being, and school engagement. Register here!
THANK YOU FROM THE RESILIENT GEORGIA TEAM!