Micole Talley, EdD, serves as the Early Childhood Project Manager at the Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD) at Georgia State University. In this capacity, Micole is responsible for overseeing the Georgia Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) and coordinating the Georgia Part C Leadership Cohort (GA-PCLC). Drawing on her extensive background in the early childhood workforce, Micole brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her current role.

Micole began her career as an early childhood teacher, working with both general education and special education students in the greater Atlanta area. Her professional journey also includes roles at the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) in the school services program. Later, Micole assumed the position of the 619 Coordinator for the State of Georgia, focusing on implementing services for children ages 3-5 with disabilities. During this time, she collaborated with various technical assistance centers, including the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA) and Early Childhood Personnel Center (ECPC). Micole's experience with these TA centers now informs her work within the Georgia CSPD.

Passionate about equitable services for young children and their families, especially those with disabilities, Micole remains dedicated to making a daily impact through the initiatives she leads. Since joining the CLD, Micole has gained a broader understanding of the social determinants of health and their domino effects. Her commitment extends to raising awareness about exclusionary discipline practices and advocating for children who require social-emotional and behavioral support.

In her focus on infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH), Micole recognizes the critical period of brain development occurring before the age of 5. Acknowledging the importance of a highly trained early intervention workforce, especially for those who work with children with disabilities, Micole emphasizes the necessity of addressing children and families' basic needs in both the classroom and home environments. Committed to her calling to teach young children and support their families, Micole remains dedicated to this impactful work and is guided by Frederick Douglass's quote, "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

The Georgia Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) is designed to enhance the quality, efficiency, and growth of the early childhood intervention workforce. This workforce is dedicated to delivering services and interventions that support the development and learning of young children with disabilities and their families. The CSPD is a mandated initiative under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). After a period of inactivity, Georgia revived its CSPD in 2019 following renewed funding.

Similar to GA-AIMH, the CSPD serves as a connector rather than a direct service provider, sharing the common objective of supporting the infant and early childhood workforce to better serve young children and families through training, fostering interdisciplinary and cross-system collaboration, and sharing resources. The CSPD operates through a collaborative network involving school districts, health districts, state agencies, non-profit organizations, and various entities serving children aged birth to 5. Members of the CSPD work to identify effective early childhood interventions and address barriers.

Georgia's CSPD is housed within the Center for Leadership in Disability at Georgia State University. Though, the success of a CSPD relies on the collective efforts of many individuals participating in and executing this essential work. Through the leadership of CSPD members, we can effectively train and maintain a high-quality early intervention workforce.

Georgia's CSPD continually seeks to establish new partnerships with individuals who are willing to share their expertise. If you are interested in getting involved or would like more information about the CSPD, please reach out to Micole Talley at matkins1@gsu.edu.

ATLANTA— With funding from Humana, the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health: Birth to Five (GA-AIMH), housed in the Georgia State University School of Public Health Center for Leadership in Disability, will help prepare clinicians across the state to better support the mental health needs of young children and families.

Through a series of trainings, 24 mental health clinicians across Georgia will learn how to implement trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). This evidence-based treatment is designed for children, starting from age 3, who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect or violence, which are known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

“The first five years of a child's development is such a critical period. It is during this time that the groundwork for lifelong healthy social-emotional development is established,” said Raynell Washington, GA-AIMH Project Manager. “Providing services and supports early on, by teaching children how to develop coping skills, regulate their emotions and build resiliency, lays the foundation for positive mental health.”

Washington explained that the goals of TF-CBT are to help children process a broad array of emotional and behavioral difficulties associated with single, multiple and complex trauma experiences, and to adapt healthy coping skills that enable them to engage in day-to-day activities. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often referred to as “talk therapy,” but clinicians working with young children often incorporate elements of play therapy for children who use other forms of communication to describe their experiences.

More than 50 scientific studies have shown that trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce post-traumatic stress and symptoms of depression among youth while increasing their resiliency. With more than 126,000 cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children reported to the Georgia Division of Children and Family Services in 2023 alone, there’s a substantial need for trauma-informed clinicians trained to uplift and support family strengths and relationships.

The trainings offered through GA-AIMH will include 11 hours of pre-training webinars, five days of instructional presentations and 12 months of group-based case consultation calls. Clinicians who complete the training will be nationally certified in TF-CBT, enabling them to provide effective treatment to young children who have experienced trauma and their families.

Washington said the TF-CBT trainings are a part of GA-AIMH’s broader effort to support early childhood professionals in addressing the social-emotional and developmental needs of young children and their families. READ MORE

GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students is excited to announce the seventh annual Strolling Thunder. This event gives families from around Georgia the opportunity to speak with elected officials about the joys and challenges of raising young children.

The first part of the event is a virtual training session. In this session, you will learn what to expect during your visit to the Georgia State Capitol. You'll be empowered to share your story with legislators and advocate for policies that could positively impact the lives of young children. Identical training sessions are scheduled for Thursday, February 15th, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM, and Friday, February 16th, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM.

The second part of the event will take place in person on Thursday, February 22nd, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. All parents are welcome to attend this event, including expectant parents, and are encouraged to bring their young children (infants through five-year-olds).

Unable to participate in person, but interested in supporting the event? Consider donating items needed for the event. GEEARS has created an Amazon Wish List.

Mark your calendar for the 2024 Autism Conference & Expo of Georgia (ACE) scheduled for May 9, 2024, at Georgia State University. This year's conference theme is "Firm Foundations for Autism Supports," symbolizing a return to fundamental considerations of the core systems and the workforce supporting autism services in Georgia.

ACE serves as a platform for exchanging knowledge and resources related to the services and support available for individuals with autism and their families in Georgia. This event embodies the collaborative efforts and contributions of a coalition of self-advocates, family members, community partners, state agencies, and various leaders across the state. The conference holds significant importance as part of the broader Autism Plan for Georgia.

The conference tracks include:

If you have any questions, reach out to the ACE team at acega@gsu.edu.

GA-AIMH is the professional home for anyone whose work supports infants, young children, and their families. By joining GA-AIMH you become part of a multidisciplinary community that's fostering healthy social and emotional development in young children. GA-AIMH invites ALL individuals, students, and organizations to join.

This month, we honor Black History – acknowledging the brilliance, resilience, and influences of the Black community. It’s a time to honor those who faced adversity with grace, and contributed immeasurably to human history – serving as a reminder to celebrate diversity and foster unity.

Let this month be a catalyst for continuous learning, empathy, and advocacy. May the echoes of history guide us towards a future where every voice is heard, every story is acknowledged, and every individual is afforded the respect and opportunity they rightfully deserve.

Positive affirmations help children (and adults!) build confidence, foster a growth mindset, and instill a genuine belief in themselves.