Resources for Advocacy

The grassroots work AFSP Georgia does focuses on eliminating the loss of life from suicide in Georgia by: delivering innovative prevention programs, educating the public about risk factors and warning signs, raising funds for suicide research and programs, and reaching out to those individuals who have lost someone to suicide. Learn more about their advocacy work here. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (https://afsp.org/advocate-for-suicide-prevention)

Black Child Development Institute (BCDI)-Atlanta aims to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and families in Georgia through education and advocacy. They support the six focus areas of the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI)—early care and education, literacy, family engagement, child welfare, public policy, and health and wellness. Black Child Development Institute – Atlanta (https://www.bcdiatlanta.org/about)

Georgia Appleseed advances justice and equity for all Georgia’s children, with a particular focus on Black and Brown children, children experiencing poverty, LGBTQ+ children, children with disabilities, and children in foster care. Their mission is to increase justice in Georgia through law and policy reform and community engagement. Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (https://gaappleseed.org/)

GEEARS is a statewide movement to ensure that every child enters kindergarten prepared to succeed and on a path to read to learn by third grade. Learn more about their advocacy work here. Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (https://geears.org/take-action/advocate/)

The Georgia Parent Support Network is dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for children and youth with mental illness, emotional disturbances, and behavioral differences and their families. Georgia Parent Support Network (https://gpsn.org/)

GHF is a partner with advocates, community organizations, and consumers to build and mobilize a unified voice, vision, and leadership to achieve a healthy future for all Georgians. Learn more about their advocacy work here. Georgians For a Healthy Future (https://healthyfuturega.org/get-involved/learn/tools-strategies-for-effective-advocacy/)

The Interfaith Children's Movement is a grassroots, interfaith advocacy movement that is dedicated to improving the well-being of all children in the state of Georgia. ICM focuses on 8 ‘Faith In Action’ work areas: Child Advocacy, Child Poverty, Child Care and Protection, Education, Healthcare, Immigration, Juvenile Justice & Parental Nurturing. Interfaith Children's Movement (https://www.icmgeorgia.org/)

MHA Georgia is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with mental health challenges as well as promoting mental wellness throughout Georgia. Mental Health America of Georgia (https://www.mhageorgia.org/advocacy-public-policy/our-priorities/)

Under the leadership of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a longtime champion for the rights of people with mental illnesses, the Carter Center's Mental Health Program works to promote awareness about mental health issues, inform public policy, achieve equity for mental health care comparable to other health care, and reduce stigma and discrimination against those with mental illnesses. The Carter Center (https://www.cartercenter.org/health/mental_health/index.html)

The mission of NAMI Georgia is to empower affiliates to create communities where all affected by mental illnesses find hope, help, and acceptance through SUPPORT, EDUCATION and ADVOCACY. Learn more about their advocacy work here. The National Alliance on Mental Illness- Georgia (https://namiga.org/get-involved/advocate/)

Voices for Georgia’s Children (Voices) is an independent, non-partisan catalyst for systemic change. Voices advocates for all of Georgia’s 2.5 million children – particularly those whose location, family income, race, or family/community circumstances leave them most vulnerable. We advance laws, policies, and actions that improve their lives. Georgia Voices Fact Sheets >>(https://georgiavoices.org/factsheets/) Georgia Voices Reports >>(https://georgiavoices.org/research/)