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May your February be as sweet as an
oversized box of chocolates.
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Georgia Parent Support Network, Inc. want to thank you for the support.
We hope to see you again at our 18th Annual Mardi Gras Ball.
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February 5, 2022
And the months keep flying by:
I was in a store yesterday, and one lady greeted another with Happy New Year! The addressed lady said, "Girl, where have you been? It's almost February," and so it is. As we all know, I love snow, and the other night around midnight, I got to enjoy a brief snow shower. It brought back memories of Georgia snows through the years. Shortly after moving to Atlanta from Middle Georgia, I heard a snow forecast on the radio and decided to run to the grocery store. There were long lines of people mainly buying bread and milk. I am sure there were many in that line the didn't eat bread or drink milk. In my mind, I go through the snow memories of many years, and they are primarily excellent memories. Again, as you know, I was raised on a farm, and when I started school, the school bus did not come by our farm, so I walked two miles from my house to the school and back every day (this did not last long). People joke that it was uphill in the snow both ways when it snowed. However, in reality, the road was flat. I can remember stopping along the way in the very infrequent snow and playing.
Meanwhile, Mental Health Day at the Capitol happened downtown, and virtually, as people all over the state heard that mental health would be one of the leading topics for the Georgia Legislative Session this year. Please read on; there are links to the day so you also can enjoy it!
Sue L. Smith Ed.D, MPH
CEO
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The Behavioral Health Services Coalition is excited to share several important resources from this past week's Mental Health Day at the Capitol and Press Conference with Speaker David Ralston. Speaker Ralston announced the filing of a comprehensive mental health bill, House Bill 1013. We hope you all enjoyed the day!
Recording Link – Mental Health Day at the Capitol 2022
Video Link – Press Conference with Speaker Ralston
AJC Article Link
We will keep you informed as hearings are scheduled on this important bill.
Respectfully,
Behavioral Health Services Coalition
#WeAreMentalHealth
2022 is the Year for Mental Health!
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Sponsor the Night
Change a Life FOREVER.
Your sponsorship will provide much-needed financial assistance to families, youth, and young adults navigating mental health services and the road to recovery.
Sponsorship Information
[email protected] | (470) 815-6622
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Certified Peer Specialist Training | |
Training Opportunity
Certified Peer Specialist-Parent (CPS-P) and Certifed Peer Specialist-Youth (CPS-Y)
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Certified Peer Specialist - Parent (CPS-P): A parent or legal guardian (in a permanent relationship for at least three (3) years) certified by DBHDD who has the lived experience of raising a young person with either a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder and has supported that young person in an experience of recovery.
Certified Peer Specialist - Youth (CPS-Y): A young adult between the ages of 18 and 30 certified by DBHDD who has lived experience of either a mental health condition and/or substance use disorder as a youth and is practicing recovery as related to that condition.
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National Federation of Families
for Children's Mental Health
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Parents and Caregivers:
Last year, we surveyed families to better understand the incredible challenges so many were facing. The 1,100 families who completed the anonymous survey provided us with critical information about how the pandemic was impacting them and their children, especially in terms of academic progress, mental and behavioral health and substance use. As a result, we created
a compelling infographic which was shared with SAMHSA and
countless national partners and support organizations.
Now we invite you to participate in the second edition of our “How is School Affecting Children’s and Families’ Mental Health During COVID-19” survey. The survey is open to all caregivers with children of any age living at home who are in an educational program - at any level - or who chose to leave an educational program during the pandemic. Results of the survey will once again provide us with valuable information about the challenges families are experiencing and will inform our advocacy efforts at the national level. We hope you will share the survey with other parents and caregivers you know. Hearing from as many families as possible will only strengthen
our ability to represent family voice.
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Georgia Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health | |
GPSN welcomes out the newest Federation of Families chapter, Filling in the GAPS, LLC, led by Onnie Poe, EdS
Augusta, Georgia.
Filling in the GAPS MISSION
The mission of Filling in the GAPS, LLC is to offer education, advocacy, and support for individuals and families affected by mental health and disabilities.
In pursuit of our mission, we strive to:
decrease the stigmas associated with mental health AND disabilities through increased awareness and education.
create spaces where individuals feel inspired to "show up" as their authentic selves in safe, supported environments.
provide programs and opportunities that promote holistic personal development.
Filling in the GAPS VISION
We envision a community where all people regardless of race, disability, gender, age, economic status, religion or sexual orientation have access to appropriate resources to help them achieve their full potential.
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Transitonal Youth Peer Center | |
Are You A Transitioning Adult in Need of Peer Support?
The Peer Center provides training, life skills, mentoring, and peer support to youth transitioning into adulthood
(17 -26) that are no longer served by child and adolescent mental health services. At the Center, peers all strive to support one another to meet these goals include improvements in education, employment, and community life adjustment.
For enrollment information contact
Sheena Biggerstaff
Peer Center Supervisor
[email protected]
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Sonia Forbes Celebration of Life | |
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With great sadness, I inform you that one of our beloved foster parents, Ms. Sonia Forbes, has passed. Ms. Forbes has been a dedicated foster parent with GPSN since 2016. Ms. Forbes made a significant impact and touched the lives of the children she served while being a foster parent with GPSN.
Please keep this family in your prayers and thoughts.
Warmest Regards,
Quindland Hervey
Program Director
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Youth Motivating Others through
Voices of Experience (MOVE) National
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NEXT MEETING
Saturday
February 5, 2022
1:00 - 2:30 PM
Be Heard
Who knows you better than you? Parents, caregivers, therapists, probation officers, and teachers often don't understand where you are coming from. Learning to advocate for yourself respectfully is a skill you will use for the rest of your life. Through conferences, training, and chapter meetings, you will learn valuable techniques to be heard when making decisions about your future.
Upcoming Meeting Dates
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EST
Who can join? Anyone between the ages of 14 and 29. When do we meet? The 1st Saturday of each month
March 5th
April 2nd
May 7th
June 4th
July - No Meeting
August 6th
September 3rd
October 1st
November 5th
December 3rd
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If you are interested in joining us for our statewide meeting, please contact
Sheena Biggerstaff | Youth M.O.V.E. Georgia Coordinator
[email protected]
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Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities | |
Don't Miss the Ball - Register Today | |
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Georgia Parent Support Network, Inc.
1381 Metropolitan Parkway Atlanta, GA 30310 | (404) 758-4500
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