Resilient Georgia Announces Launch of Resilient Heart of Georgia, Strengthening Support for Children and Families Across Georgia

June 2026

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Resilient Georgia is proud to announce the launch of Resilient Heart of Georgia (Resilient Heart), a new statewide coalition co-led by Local Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Programs and Family Connection Collaboratives. This coalition represents the next step in advancing trauma-informed care and strengthening protective factors for children, youth, and families across Georgia.

Resilient Heart brings together a network of partners working at the intersection of child welfare, family support, and community-based prevention. By aligning CASA programs, which are advocates for children involved in the foster care system, with Family Connection Collaboratives, trusted, community-rooted networks addressing the needs of children and families, Resilient Heart will deepen cross-sector collaboration and expand access to resilience-building supports. This work reflects Resilient Georgia’s broader mission to build a coordinated, trauma-informed system of care for children and families statewide.

“Resilient Heart of Georgia represents the power of partnership,” said Emily Ann Vall, PhD, Executive Director, Resilient Georgia. “By bringing together CASA programs and Family Connection Collaboratives, we are strengthening the systems that support children and families, ensuring they are not only served, but truly seen and supported.”

Building on Community Strengths

At the local level, Resilient Heart is already demonstrating impact through partners like TLC Children’s Services, Inc., a CASA program advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, and Dodge Connection–Communities In Schools of Dodge County, Inc. (DCCISDC), a Family Connection Collaborative working to improve outcomes for children and families through education, resource coordination, and community engagement.

Together, these organizations and others across the coalition are working to embed trauma-informed practices, strengthen caregiver and youth supports, and build resilience in the communities they serve. By connecting advocacy, prevention, and community resources, Resilient Heart aims to create more seamless systems of care and better outcomes for Georgia’s most vulnerable populations.

Advancing a Shared Vision for Impact

Resilient Heart will focus on expanding trauma-informed training, increasing collaboration across sectors, and elevating community-driven solutions that address the root causes of adversity. Like other Resilient Georgia coalitions, the initiative is grounded in a collective impact approach, bringing together public and private partners to drive sustainable, systems-level change.

“We are excited to join and complete the statewide network of Resilient Georgia coalitions and bring this work to communities across South-Central Georgia,” said Resilient Heart of Georgia Coalition Co-Leads Maya Clark, Executive Director of Dodge Connection-Communities In Schools of Dodge County, and Jennifer Staples, Program Supervisor/Volunteer Engagement Specialist at TLC Children’s Services.

The launch of Resilient Heart marks a significant milestone in Resilient Georgia’s network of regional coalitions. As the 20th and final coalition, it completes a statewide framework that now ensures comprehensive coverage across all 159 Georgia counties.

To learn more about Resilient Georgia’s statewide coalitions, visit coalitions.resilientga.org.