We hope this season brings moments of peace, opportunities to recharge, and the warmth of togetherness with those who mean the most to you. As the year comes to a close, we are reminded of the importance of balance, gratitude and connection.

From our hearts to yours, we wish you a holiday filled with kindness and a new year grounded in health, happiness and resilience.

❄️Warmest wishes from everyone at Resilient Georgia this holiday season!❄️

This Issue: 6-Minute Read

What's new: “Building Grant-Ready Organizations Through Trauma- and Resilience-Informed Practices” explores why grant readiness extends beyond strong financial controls or well-defined strategic plans. It’s also a reflection of an organization’s overall well-being.



According to author Dr. Teresa Retz, founder of the Transcend Advisory Group, resilience should be viewed as a cornerstone of organizational health, essential for sustaining impact and long-term success.

What's new: Every year, the PACES Report Card provides a snapshot of how Georgia’s children and families are doing—tracking both Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that increase the risk of poor outcomes, and Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PCEs) that help buffer against them.

Why it matters: Resilient Georgia partnered with the Essentials for Childhood: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences Through Data to Action - an initiative led by the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Emory Injury Prevention Research Center - to provide data and sources for information in the PACES Report Card.

Bottom line: This year’s findings remind us that while progress is being made in some areas, continued investment in prevention, connection, and equitable access to care remains essential to building a resilient Georgia.

What's new: In the final blog of our Power of Healing Series, Kayleigh Heard shares her rare cancer diagnosis and how it transformed her understanding of resilience, body acceptance, and self-advocacy. After years of dismissed symptoms, traumatic treatment, and life-altering decisions, she finds strength in vulnerability and gratitude for the body that kept her alive.

Why it matters: Her journey highlights how facing mortality can rebuild life with authenticity and courage. ️

Closing thought: Thank you to Kayleigh and all our Power of Healing blog authors who bravely shared their inspiring stories of healing and recovery and resilience with us this year! ❤️

• Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition, as the backbone organization for Resilient Coastal Georgia, hosted a Recognition Ceremony honoring the first responders who have supported the Handle With Care initiative in Chatham County since its launch in 2021.
• Resilient North Georgia, led by Wellroot Family Services, is featured on Fostering Resilience for their work with the Reaching Teens Trauma-Sensitive Model.
• Congratulations Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative on her recent podcast interview highlighting "The Basics - Cobb County" and how the program has come to life on a mural in Marietta.
• We are thrilled to share this recent article, “Associations between adverse childhood experiences and obesity among young US adults." Led by Dr. Kiran Thapa and Dr. Janani Thapa and co-authored by our Executive Director, Dr. Emily Anne Vall, the study investigates how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to obesity in young adults—and highlights just how lasting the impact of early trauma can be on physical health.
• We're honored Resilient Georgia received an award at the 2025 IECMH Conference! Huge thanks to Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health: Birth to Five (AIMH) for this meaningful recognition of our collective work to build emotionally healthy children and families across the state.