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Hello partners! As always, we’re excited to bring you another weekly round of resources and reminders! Before diving into our carefully curated list, we want to share some  key highlights  from the Resilient Georgia team. Our recent Coalition Peer-to-Peer Network discussions have emphasized the need for support, reflection, and connection, which will shape the focus of our upcoming November meeting. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce the launch of a new LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resource Webpage, offering vital support for LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and allies. Read on for updates, upcoming events, and resources to help you continue making an impact in your communities! Thank you so much for all you do across the state.  RG Highlights Coalition Peer-to-Peer Network As a reminder, if you missed the September Peer-to-Peer Network Call on Evaluation,  you can access the recording here. SAVE THE DATE: Our next Peer-to-Peer meeting will be November 5th at 2pm .  After reflecting on the challenges and crises across our state and the heaviness of recent conversations across coalitions, we decided to shift this month’s focus to create a safe and unstructured space to support each other and foster connection. Instead of diving into PSE change, which we’ll move to January, we’ll focus on support and self-care. This will be a space to support one another through both personal and professional challenges. Join us next month to debrief, reflect, and recharge! NEW LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resource Webpage ! We are excited to announce our newest resource page dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. This page provides a collection of mental health and resilience resources tailored to LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and allies. It includes information on affirming care, mental health support, and ways to build inclusive environments. October Coalition Connections: As a reminder, our final round of the 2024 Coalition Connections will be this week and next:  Rounds 2 and 3: Tomorrow Tuesday October 15th from 2-3pm Rounds 1 and 4:  Tuesday October 22nd from 2-3PM Hurricane Resources : In response to Hurricane Helene, FEMA has designated 43 counties in Georgia as Disaster Areas, enabling Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. Resources include food, shelter, and financial support through GEMA, SNAP benefits, and the Red Cross. The USDA offers recovery resources for farmers, and the Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans. For detailed information on available assistance, visit the resource linked above and share widely. Regional Coalition Spotlights Resilient Northeast Georgia   hosted their Rise and Lead Summit in partnership with Region 5 Georgia Family Connection Partnership last month. It was a fantastic day of collaboration and learning. Attendees engaged with a dynamic lineup of speakers and presentations from county partners, culminating in a regional planning session. The focus was on increasing sustainability, enhancing the impact of systems change work, and developing practical skills to address secondary trauma in helping professionals and first responders. Check out the photos here! Resilient North Georgia:  Christina Lennon is hosting this month’s   Knowledge to Action Conversation on Reaching Teens   this Thursday, October 17th at 10am . This session will explore strategies for engaging teens using strength-based approaches, focusing on Positive Youth Development, Trauma-Sensitive Practices, and more. The event will provide practical tools for youth-serving professionals to build trust and improve communication with adolescents. Caregivers & Parents Stress & Anxiety Relief Through Healthy Relationships | AAP  :   Focusing on what’s right with a child or teenager’s mental health can go a long way to combating stress and anxiety. By building strong, healthy relationships, parents and other caregivers can help make sure children and teens grow up resilient and minimize the effects of toxic stress. In this video by the American Academy of Pediatrics , Dr. Heather Forkey describes the idea of relational health and how it can combat toxic stress – things like trauma, child abuse or even the long-term effects of racism. Please share with your networks! Support for Stressed Parents: Child Mind : This week Child Mind  shared resources to support parents who are under stress, including those who are caring for kids with mental health challenges. They offer expert advice on how to manage anxiety about school shootings — in parents and children — and how to avoid passing anxiety on to your kids.  Community Events CompassionCon – An Initiative of Compassionate Atlanta   The 3rd CompassionCon festival will take place on October 27th from 1-5 PM  at Historic Legacy Park in Decatur. This intergenerational event fosters community connections and highlights organizations centered on compassion. This year, GPB's Be My Neighbor Day will join, bringing family-friendly activities that typically attract over 1000 guests. With 50+ vendors and an expected attendance of 1200 people, it's a fantastic opportunity to celebrate kindness.  Free Your Feels Teen Summit :  The 2024 Free Your Feels  Teen Summit is on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 12PM- 3PM in Athens . This fun-filled event will feature peer-to-peer interaction, mental health resources, food, fun, and more. Please share this event that celebrates youth mental health and self-expression or register here . Free food, free fun, free fellowship! Moving Upstream: Centering Economic Security Programs in Child Maltreatment Prevention : Join this important conversation on October 15th, from 10AM-12PM hosted by Callan Wells of the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students . The event, held at   CHRIS 180’s  offices in East Atlanta, will explore how economic security programs can serve as a preventive measure to reduce child maltreatment and family involvement with the child welfare system and there is a Zoom option listed at the link above.   Faith-Based Resources Interfaith Social Media Contest — 988 GA This contest, sponsored by the Regional Council of Churches of Atlanta  and Georgia DBHDD, is designed to engage faith communities to raise awareness about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  through creative social media posts, flyers, or bulletins. Please share with your faith-based communities!  Funding Opportunities Call for Applications for Collective Leadership Advancing Racial Equity (CLARE) Program : The Collective Impact Forum , a partnership between FSG  and the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions ,  is launching the Collective Leadership Advancing Racial Equity (CLARE) Program January 2025 – October 2025. This 10-month leadership accelerator is designed to invest in the capacity and wellbeing of 20 individuals leading collaborative work. FSG will be hosting a webinar on CLARE October 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM.  Workforce Resources What is Kind30? — Join The KIND30 Movement!    KIND30 is a movement that encourages individuals and communities to engage in daily acts of kindness. It is open to all places of faith, workplaces large and small, colleges, schools, families, individuals, community organizations, and clubs. There are KIND ideas for all ages and the goal is to inspire a nationwide movement that unifies a diverse array of people of all backgrounds and ideologies to choose to be more kind every single day. They offer various   kindness calendars   to suggest daily acts of kindness and can be downloaded or customized using a blank template or dynamic calendar. Stress Less: NPR Series :  This series from NPR is aimed at helping individuals cope with life’s challenges. Participants will learn a wide array of science-based strategies that can help improve positive feelings, reduce feelings of anxiety, and empower them to better deal with life’s stressors.   Workplace Mental Health: Mindshare :  Mind Share Partners is an organization focused on creating mentally healthy workplace cultures through mental health training, strategy, and implementation services. The organization partners with companies to develop strategies that prioritize mental health, reduce stigma, and foster psychological safety. They offer on-demand mental health courses , with discounts available for nonprofits. Additionally, they provide free toolkits  to support workplace mental health initiatives, including the Healthy Work Practices, Communications Kit, and 5 Fundamentals, which are excellent starting points for fostering a mentally healthy work environment. Youth Resources Demystifying Youth-Engaged Research - Hopelab   These case studies illustrate that youth-engaged research is not just possible; it is incredibly rewarding, and with the right support systems, those new to this way of working can meaningfully include young people as research collaborators. They describe how two research teams realized the power of collaborating with young people at strategic points in the research process and came away with insights that would not have emerged without the critical input of their youth collaborators.  ACEs and Health Conditions and Risk Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, CDC This report presents the first national data on self-reported Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among U.S. high school students under 18, using the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. It examines the associations between ACEs and 16 health conditions and risk behaviors, estimating the population impact of ACEs on these outcomes. The findings help policymakers and public health professionals understand how ACEs prevention could reduce adolescent risks like suicidal behavior, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors, emphasizing the current public health effects of ACEs in this population.

Welcome to our 2nd edition of the new and improved Monday Memo ! I wanted to take a moment to give credit where credit is due and acknowledge the incredible work of Gabrielle Stewart   who we are lucky to have on our team while she works to finish her MSW internship requirements with us. She has been such an asset in creating the beautiful Monday Memo template and helping us co-create it each week.  As we continue to recover after Hurricane Helene, we wanted to continue to share resources available to help those impacted. FEMA is providing disaster assistance to designated areas; you can find more information and determine eligibility here: FEMA Disaster Assistance . Additionally, SNAP recipients affected by the hurricane may be eligible for replacement benefits to cover food lost during the disaster. Details on how to request these benefits can be found here: SNAP Replacement Benefits . As always, here is another weekly list of carefully curated resources and reminders, but first, here are some  highlights from the RG Team: RG Highlights Power of Healing 2025 Blog Series  We are launching a new blog campaign in 2025 similar to the 2023 Be Vulnerable Collection ! This will be another year-long blog series showcasing stories of personal resilience, healing, and recovery, but we need authors! Contributors are invited to share their experiences overcoming adversity or life’s challenges, along with the tools and strategies that helped them rebuild their lives. These stories aim to inspire and empower others facing similar hardships. If you’d like to share your story of resilience, contact nwarner@resilientga.org  to inquire about submitting a blog post! Please share widely with your partners.   Upcoming Regional Coalition Touchpoints: Coalition Office Hours Our monthly RG office hours are this week! These are optional spaces for questions, concerns, or brainstorming.  Wednesday October 9th 4-5pm Thursday October 10th 8-9pam October Coalition Connections As a reminder, our final round of the 2024 Coalition Connections will be this month.  Rounds 2 and 3: Tuesday October 15th from 2-3pm Rounds 1 and 4: Tuesday October 22nd from 2-3PM Trauma-Informed Sector-Specific Resources to Share! Here are a couple sector-specific resources that have come through our inboxes that you can share with your networks as you see fit. RG is also working to create sector-specific one-pagers based on the Training Roadmap, so stay tuned for that! Please share as appropriate! Trauma- Informed Law:  Provides resources for legal practitioners on trauma-informed services, including a book, articles, and a free guide on trauma's impact on legal practice.  Trauma-Informed Dentistry:  Presentation slides offering an overview and practical strategies for implementing trauma-informed care in dentistry, including core principles and assessment tools.  Regional Coalition Spotlights Resilient Coastal Georgia:   Gateway CSB is hosting their innovative Brake the Stigma Mental Health Awareness Car Show   on  Saturday, November 16th from 9– 11 AM  at the Tanger Outlets in Pooler. The event will honor first responders and  veterans, showcasing  impressive vehicles,  food trucks, raffles, and  vendors, while promoting mental health advocacy.  Resilient Chattahoochee Valley :  RCV has added I-SPY Jars, to their Social Emotional Learning Libraries.   I-SPY Jars are bottles filled with mini-objects and a filler that can be leveraged for self-regulation and a range of speech and language goals. They engaged over 25 volunteers  in creating 41 I-SPY Jars.  Engaging volunteers allowed Resilient Chattahoochee Valley to educate the community on the coalition’s shared efforts and  create a sufficient number of jars for distribution by schools and organizations across the region. Thank you RCV! Education Resources Apalachee High School students return to counselors, therapy dogs and hugs from friends, teachers | GPB :   Apalachee High School students have begun returning to the school — which has been preparing for by seeking expert help in how to support children who have experienced what should be unimaginable trauma.  Racial Inequality in Education: The Annie E. Casey Foundation  presents data from the U.S.  edu­ca­tion land­scape related to unequal treat­ment, access and  out­comes based on a student’s race or ethnicity. It presents historical and current information and an interpretation of how these data indicate differential access to educational opportunities.  Funding JustFund   has a   common grant application allowing applicants to apply for multiple funding opportunities with one application, on one platform, for free. Powered by The JustFund Common Application™, JustFund supports equitable grantmaking practices for funders, connects them to new giving opportunities, and tracks where money is moving. JustFund is equity centered, saves time, promotes collaboration, builds trust, and promotes transformative impact.  T-Mobile Hometown Grants | Main Street America:   The T‑Mobile Hometown Grant program is investing big in small towns by awarding up to  100 towns/year with project funding — up to $50,000 each. T‑Mobile is focusing on revitalizing community spaces in towns with 50,000 people or less , and Main Street programs are encouraged to apply. Submit a proposal for a town project of your choice, and if selected, use the funds to get started.  E ARLY LITERACY ALIGNMENT MINI GRANT : GA Foundation for Early Learning   is offering up to $5,000 to rural public elementary schools. The goal is to align literacy practices between elementary schools and childcare programs through collaborative professional development, ensuring a smooth transition for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. Eligible applicants must be principals or assistant principals in rural counties ( population less than 35,000 )  and must partner with a Quality Rated childcare provider.  Check out the informational webinar   here .   Applications are due October 18th.   Mental Health in Georgia Resurrecting Hope in Mental Health in Georgia :   Read this article in Georgia Trend to find out how Georgia is making strides in passing and implementing mental health legislation and what additional work is still left to be done.   The Carter Center Journalism Resource Guide on Mental Health Reporting  - Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter established the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program to continue the visionary work she began in the White House to combat discrimination against people with mental illnesses and advocate for improved mental health care in the United States and abroad. Mrs. Carter understood that journalists play a crucial role in contributing to a more informed and engaged society. She knew that journalists could help people better understand mental health issues through accurate, empathetic, and in-depth storytelling. This guide is designed to give journalists the information and resources they need to responsibly report on topics related to mental health and substance use disorders.  How to find a mental health care provider in your network: NPR  - This article outlines the impact of “ghost networks” in which providers who no longer practice, or take specific insurances are still listed as providers in the network. This impacts the effectiveness and accuracy of policy making within those organizations and makes it incredibly difficult for individuals to navigate the system. ProPublica spoke with experts, clinicians and advocates to understand the challenges posed by provider directory errors. They all suggested specific ways for policyholders to navigate a ghost network.  GA AAP Mental Health Resources :  The Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has compiled a list of mental health resources and tools that can provide you with additional information and guidance to address mental health needs. Resource categories include parenting, patient care, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Autism, Suicide and Substance Use. This section includes videos from pediatricians re early relational health.  Professional Development & Events The School-Based Health Alliance   is calling abstracts for their National School-Based Health Care Conference. They are looking for subject matter expertise in the following categories: Clinical Practice, Business Operations, Sustainability, and Quality Improvement, Policy & Partnerships, Innovations, and ‘Be the Change’ Youth Training Program (for youth participants only). They are also accepting poster and workshop proposals exclusively in Spanish. More details on how to submit an abstract or poster idea can be found   here . Abstracts are due November 8th. GA-AIMH Conference : Registration is now open for the 2024 GA-AIMH Conference! The conference will take place on November 13th  at the Loudermilk Conference Center in Atlanta, GA. This year’s theme is “Consilience in Action: Bridging Disciplines to Advance IECMH in Georgia,” emphasizing cross-discipline collaboration to ignite innovation in supporting the mental health of young children and families. Discover how interconnected ideas can drive meaningful change. Register here .  Access pre-recorded webinars here .  October Family Webinar Series from the Marcus Autism Center: This caregiver lunch-and-learn series will be implemented in partnership with the Department of Public Health and Babies Can't Wait. The series is open and relevant to all caregivers of young children who want to learn strategies to help their children with a variety of skills, including communication, behavior, and toileting ( see attached flyer ). Webinars will also be hosted in Spanish for Spanish-speaking caregivers in late October and early November.   International Day of the Girl Event: DdM3 Consulting  is hosting an event on October 14th from 9 AM-3 PM  in Douglasville, Georgia, for the International Day of the Girl. It will feature inspiring workshops, interactive activities, and a keynote celebrating the power and potential of every girl. Sponsored by The City of Douglasville Parks and Recreation and DdM3 Consulting, this day will promote empowerment and amplify the voices of girls. For more information, email DdM3Consulting@gmail.com .

We are deeply saddened by the tragic school shooting in Barrow County at Apalachee High School. This devastating event highlights the urgent need for community action to address gun violence. We encourage everyone to explore the Surgeon General’s priorities on firearm violence, which outline a public health approach to prevention, available here, and ARCHI Collaborative’s article on tackling gun violence through community collaboration here . The American Academy of Pediatrics, Georgia Chapter has posted a press release  in response to the shooting you can access here .  In such a heart-wrenching tragedy too close to home, we are reminded yet again to come together in creating safer environments for our children and communities. Thank you for all your work to address and prevent violence in your communities and create better lives for Georgia children and families. Here is another weekly list of carefully curated resources and reminders, but first, here are some highlights from the RG Team :   RG Highlights Cell Phone & Social Media Newly created Cell Phone and Social Media resources designed to support teens and parents, caregivers and providers working with them.  Building a Resilient Georgia (Podcast )  This podcast from Community Evaluation Solutions features our very own Emily Anne and Audrey. In the conversation, Dr. Ann Price leads a discussion of the transformative power of shared language in trauma care and the significance of building resilience through positive childhood experiences. Emily Anne and Audrey stress the importance of community partnerships, accessible resources, and the role of social connections and play in trauma work.  Workforce | Workforce ( resilientga.org )  new website, add workforce overview update doc as PDF  Regional Coalition Spotlights Resilient Coastal Georgia’s  partner, Gateway CSB is hosting their innovative Brake the Stigma Mental Health Awareness Car Show  on Saturday, November 16th from 9– 11 AM at the Tanger Outlets in Pooler. The event will honor first responders and veterans, showcasing impressive vehicles, food trucks, raffles, and vendors, while promoting mental health advocacy.   The Vashti Center,  lead for Resilient Communities of Southwest Georgia, is co-sponsoring the Shine On! Music and Arts Festival  during National Recovery Month. This event is a family-friendly resource fair and festival on September 27th from 1-9 PM in Thomasville, GA. Organizations are invited to facilitate resource tables  and are encouraged to bring their own table, chairs and activities for children. The event will feature live performances, free food, and various music and art festivities throughout the day. Organizations can sign up for a resource table here .  Suicide Prevention Month Suicide Prevention Month Resource Toolkit ( freeyourfeels.org ) :    This Suicide Prevention Month resource toolkit provides data, factsheets, 9-8-8 tools, and resources specific to youth, parents/caregivers, and educators and professionals. The bonus resource content includes access to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACP) Facts for Families webpages with information on suicide in children and teens, depression, teen brain development, bullying, and more.   Answering the Call: Empowering Communities to Prevent Suicide Among Black Youth:   In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Branch is hosting a fireside chat on Black youth suicide prevention, featuring speakers from SAMHSA, young adults with lived experience, and experts in suicide prevention among Black youth. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights from experts and young people about addressing Black youth suicide and learn how to embed equity in suicide prevention efforts. This is a virtual event, September 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM, registration  is required to receive the login details.   Mental Health Equity: Building Strategic Partnerships to Improve Access to Mental Health Care and Reduce Suicide Risk in Black/African Ancestry Communities :    This Virtual Town Hall will explore how strategic partnerships and community-based solutions can help reduce rising suicide rates among Black/African Ancestry men and improve access to care. This includes the importance of spreading the word about 988 and building equity into crisis response services and support, along with other policy solutions to address this national public health crisis. Our presenters will share practical ways in which we can all make a positive difference in our communities. This virtual event will take place on September 26, 2024, at 3:00 PM, please register  for login details.   Suicide-Focused Assessment and Treatment 2024 - Stanford Center for Continuing Medical Education:   This 6-hour live webinar ensures that participating learners can identify ways to improve the assessment of suicide risk and incorporate them into practice, discuss psychopharmacological, interventional, and psychotherapeutic approaches to treatment and safety planning, and outline special considerations to assessment and treatment including cultural and linguistic diversity, SUD and LGBTQ populations. CEUs are available for this training.   When: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM (EDT) - this is hosted from CA  Where: virtual  Registration: Free for live/On-Demand Learners, $60 for Credit Learners, click here  to register.  Resources for Parents | Zero Suicide:     This video resource is designed for parents/caregivers after a child has attempted suicide and was created by EDC’s Zero Suicide Institute and Parents to Parents. This non-profit offers resources to caregivers with a child struggling with mental health challenges. The resource was created to support caregivers with information on what they can expect in the days and weeks following the child’s suicide-related crisis, how to access effective treatment, the best strategies for supporting their child and family, validate the feelings that can arise from the crisis, and to connect caregivers with additional supportive resources.  Justice, Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion AAPI Mental Health Webinar: "Introduction & Invitation to Healing" :  Join Catalyst Wellness Alliance for their Asian American Mental Health seminar Wed., September 18, 2024, at 9 PM. This introductory session will explore the formation of healing groups, their purpose, available resources and typical session formats. Registration  is free.  .   Understanding AAPI Mental Health Issues with Stan Sonu - Georgia Asian Times:   Stan Sonu, a second-generation Korean American from Atlanta, Georgia, is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. He also serves as the Medical Director for Child Advocacy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. GAT recently sat down with Sonu for an exclusive discussion on mental health challenges affecting AAPIs.    Reshare our resource that was updated in June 2024:   Resources/AAPI Mental Health | Resilient Georgia ( resilientga.org )  : visit our collection of resources to promote the resilience of Asian American Pacific Islanders through connection and advocacy.   Job Opportunities The Carter Center: Sr. Program Associate, Public Policy - Mental Health Program in Atlanta : The Carter Center at Emory University is searching for a Senior Program Associate responsible for managing domestic behavioral health policy initiatives, activities of the Mental Health Program, and collaboration across programs within the Mental Health Program and other Carter Center programs. The position will be based in Atlanta under the direction of the Associate Director of Mental Health.     The Carter Center: Program Associate, Public Policy - Mental Health Program in Atlanta :  The Carter Center at Emory University is also searching for a Program Associate responsible for research on the design of projects, implementing, and coordinating Mental Health Program activities and conferences/meetings, developing budgets and proposals, and managing grants, project materials, and information.   Professional Development & Events Georgia Staff Well-Being Community of Practice hosted by Healthier Generation     Join the Georgia Staff Well-Being Community of Practice for both District & Community Leaders  AND Teachers & School Staff  to enhance resilience, reduce anxiety, and promote well-being in educational environments. Leaders' sessions  are on the third Tuesday of each month from 12:30-1:30pm, starting September 17, and educators' sessions  are on the first Tuesday of each month from 12:30-1:30pm, starting October 1. Connect with peers across Georgia to promote healthy stress responses and positive health outcomes. For details, contact Lila Givens at lila.givens@healthiergeneration.org . Registration info is linked above.  4th Annual School-Based Health Care State Conference  – Hosted by the PARTNERS for Equity in Child and Adolescent Health & Emory University Department of Pediatrics, this daylong conference’s theme is “Every Child Succeeds: Utilizing SBHCs to Fulfill the Promise.” This in-person event is an excellent opportunity for professionals in the school health field to come together, share best practices, and learn from one another.  When: Friday, September 20, 2024, from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM  Where: Emory Conference Center Hotel, 1615 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30307  Registration: fee of $150, get tickets   Parents & Youth Connecting Conversations | CDC  : This page of the CDC website for Adolescent School Health provides tips for supporting communication between parents/caregivers and their children and teens. It includes key concepts and conversation starters on mental health and statements that can be used to keep conversations going.   Parental Mental Health & Well-Being | HHS : The Advisory emphasizes the need for significant cultural changes to support sustainable parenting and enable parents and caregivers to thrive. It calls for valuing parenting on the same level as paid work, recognizing its vital role in society. The responsibility of raising children, while primarily on parents, should be a collective effort, benefiting all of society. The Advisory urges open discussions about the challenges of parenting, including financial stress, evolving technology, and mental health issues. It also highlights the importance of fostering community connections among parents to combat loneliness and isolation, which many parents experience.  Camp Lean on Me  : Hospice of South Georgia is offering a free grief camp called "Lean on Me" for children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The camp provides a supportive environment where children can process their grief, connect with peers, and learn coping skills. This camp could be an invaluable resource for children and families in need, and sharing this opportunity with those who might benefit is encouraged.