MONDAY MEMO #88
- Aug 10
- 5 min read
Happy Monday, partners! This week we are highlighting a range of resources, including education and child wellbeing resources, professional development and training opportunities and rural health initiatives. Before we dive in, here are a few reminders and highlights from the RG team:
RG Highlights
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 ntobeck@resilientga.org.
Thank you to the Coalition Leaders who shared their input for our 2027 Lunch & Learn Calendar! We received 31 responses, and the top five topics were: Supporting Youth in Under-Resourced Communities, School-Based Mental Health Supports, Understanding Policy and Legislation, Suicide Prevention and Mental Wellness Resources. We will use these results to develop and plan the 2027 Lunch & Learn Series. Thank you for helping us ensure that the topics reflect the interests and needs of our coalition network!
Reminder: Help Us Build Georgia’s Trainer Directory! There is still time to participate in the Resilient Georgia Trainer Information Survey. We have received 35 responses so far and would love to hear from even more training organizations across the state. If your organization provides trainings related to resilience, trauma-informed practices, behavioral health, prevention, recovery, or related topics, please take a few minutes to complete the survey by August 17, 2026. Survey responses will help us better understand Georgia’s training landscape and strengthen connections between organizations, trainers, and communities seeking these valuable services. As a thank you, participants who complete the survey will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card. Complete the survey here.
Alex English and Andrea Meyer Stinson had the opportunity to present at the Georgia THRIVe 3rd Annual Conference. This year provided a meaningful opportunity to explore the foundations of trauma and discuss how we can build trauma-informed systems into everything we do. We are grateful to the Georgia THRIVe team and all participants for creating such an inspiring event. Together, we continue to learn, grow, and strengthen support for children and families across Georgia.
Coalition Highlights
Cobb Collaborative offers a collection of youth-focused resources designed to support mental health, resilience, and overall well-being. Resources include mental health toolkits, wellness apps, Resilient Georgia Learning Cards, and materials for parents, caregivers, and diverse communities. These tools can help you connect young people with valuable supports and strengthen protective factors that promote healthy development. Additionally, they launched a Substack where subscribers can receive updates, event announcements, resources, and insights related to the organization's work in mental health, literacy, civic engagement, and collective impact.
Child and Family Wellbeing
The Overview of Mental Health Screening Tools for Infants & Toddlers: Compiled by the Georgia Health Policy Center/Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health & Wellbeing and the IECMH Task Force, this reference guide helps pediatricians, early childhood professionals, and behavioral health providers identify and select appropriate evidence-based screening tools for infants and toddlers. The resource compares assessments based on age range, screening domains, administration methods, and time requirements, supporting the early identification of developmental, social-emotional, and mental health concerns and helping professionals connect young children and families with appropriate services.
Georgia HOPE Resources for Families offers a range of services designed to support children, youth, and families across Georgia. Their Foster Care Services provide wraparound support for children in the foster care system while equipping foster families with training, guidance, referral services, and 24-hour access to mental health professionals. In addition, Georgia HOPE’s Family Centered Treatment (FCT) is an evidence-based, trauma-informed, in-home therapy program that helps stabilize families, prevent out-of-home placement, and support reunification. Through individualized support focused on strengthening relationships, resilience, and healthy family functioning, FCT addresses the impacts of trauma, behavioral health challenges, and family instability while providing around-the-clock practitioner support for participating families.
Education
The Georgia Education Policy Fellowship Cohort Announcement GPEE has selected 28 leaders for the 19th cohort of the Georgia Education Policy Fellowship. Participants will engage in a 10-month learning experience focused on Georgia’s education policy landscape, beginning in August 2026 and concluding in May 2027. The fellowship brings together leaders from across the state to deepen their understanding of education policy and strengthen their capacity to support positive outcomes for Georgia’s students and communities. Check out the list and connect with folks representing your communities!
Back-to-School Mental Health Resource Toolkit: This new Free Your Feels toolkit brings together trusted resources, data, and practical tools to support young people, caregivers, and professionals as they navigate the transition to a new school year. It provides guidance for addressing stress, uncertainty, and emotional well-being while helping school communities foster connection, support, and mental health throughout the year.
Professional Development and Events
Emerging Leaders for Community Change 2026-2027 Cohort: Applications are open for the 2026–2027 ELCC cohort for young adult leaders of faith ages 18–30 who are interested in civic engagement, bridging divides, and creating positive change in their communities. The program provides training from experts, mentorship and funding support, opportunities to build a network of young leaders, and support to design and implement local initiatives that address community divisions. No specific work or educational experience is required, and all people are encouraged to apply. Apply here by August 18, 2026.
Passing the Pencil - A Case Study of Art as a Mental Health Intervention: This virtual session on August 18 at 7:00 PM will explore the use of art as a mental health intervention for youth. The session is hosted by Improving the Wellness of All Youth (IWAY2), a SAMHSA-funded initiative serving youth ages 12–18 which focuses on increasing access to trauma-informed mental health services and creating safe spaces for youth to explore their mental health and identity.
Explore how safe, stable housing supports children’s health, education, and
opportunities during this virtual session on August 20th from 10–11:30 AM with
the Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, will discuss legal advocacy and partnerships working to improve housing conditions, strengthen tenant protections, and advance equity for families across Georgia. Email essentials@gsu.edu with any questions!
Knowledge to Action Conversation: Understanding Neurodiversity: Nurturing Every Child's Potential: This virtual conversation hosted by GSU Child Welfare Training Collaborative on August 20th from 10–11:30 AM will explore neurodiversity through a child-centered lens. Educators from Jacob’s Ladder will discuss how understanding brain development, connection, and emotional regulation can help families and professionals create supportive environments where neurodivergent children can build relationships, learn, and thrive. Participants will leave with practical strategies and insights to apply in their daily work.
GA-AIMH: Birth to Five 5th Annual Conference – Call for Presentations: The Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health is seeking presentation proposals for its 5th Annual Conference, themed “Listening In,” which will explore infant and early childhood mental health through connection, reflection, and shared learning. Proposals are welcomed from content experts and those highlighting innovative programs, partnerships, initiatives, and systems-level work supporting young children, families, and the early childhood workforce. Submit a proposal here by September 5th!
Rural Health
Georgia Issues $30 Million in Phase 2 GREAT Health Awards to Advance Rural Healthcare Transformation: The Georgia Department of Community Health announced $30.6 million in Phase 2 GREAT Health awards to 26 organizations, bringing total funding committed through the program to $43.3 million. The investments will support rural hospitals, healthcare workforce development, care coordination, school-based health infrastructure, behavioral health services, and technology-driven healthcare innovation. Funding includes $6.5 million for expanding access to care, $12.5 million for developing the rural healthcare workforce, $7 million for technology and healthcare innovation, and $4.6 million for strengthening coordination across healthcare, behavioral health, public health, and education systems.
THANK YOU FROM THE RESILIENT GEORGIA TEAM!