Life Resources
This section is for educational purposes only. If you are interested in enrolling in services, click here.
In philosophy, a SOC can include any organization or provider who has a desire to collaborate and offer support to families. The providers and organizations listed below play a more formal role in implementing Georgia’s SOC state plan with regards to life resources and services.
If this is an emergency and you are in need of immediate assistance, please call 911, the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Additional information related to suicide, self-harm, and survivor support can be found at Prevent Suicide Georgia.
Center for Leadership in Disability (CLD)
CLD.GSU.EDU
404-413-1289
75 Piedmont Ave NE, Suite 514,
Atlanta, GA, 30316
CLD translates research into sustainable community practices that contribute to independent, self-determined, inclusive and productive lives for people with disabilities and their families. We provide training, technical assistance, and supportive resources, in addition to research to support the implementation of evidence-based practices.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
dbhdd.georgia.gov
404-657-2252
2 Peachtree Street NW, 24th Floor,
Atlanta GA 30303
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), through a tiered network of enrolled community-based providers and Community Service Boards, offers a range of Life Resources and services for youth, young adults, and families. These services include behavioral health assessments; individual, family, and group counseling; peer support services; case management; skill building; as well as specialty services (may vary depending on location) such as housing support; supported employment; and more!
To learn more about these services (i.e., how to access, questions, etc.) connect with us using the contact information above.
Department of Education (DOE)
askdoe@gadoe.org
(404)656-2800
(800)311-3627
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Dr, SE
Atlanta, Georgia, 30334
Parents now have access to their children’s SLDS through the SLDS Parent Portal. The SLDS Parent Portal is accessible to parents directly through their district’s student information system—that means no additional logins and passwords to remember. The Portal helps parents answer questions related to school and provides resources for parents. Check out the Parent Portal.
For more information on curriculum and instruction, special education, student support teams, school safety and climate please visit GaDOE Home Page.
Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves the state`s youthful offenders up to the age of 21. Each day, at 25 facilities and 80 community services offices throughout the state, more than 3,100 DJJ employees work diligently to effect justice as well as redirect and shape the young lives in the agency`s care so they can take responsibility for their delinquent conduct as well as become contributing members of society. At the same time, DJJ seeks to protect the victims of crimes so that they can rebuild their lives. While holding youthful offenders accountable for their actions through probation supervision and secure detention, DJJ provides youth with medical and mental health treatment, as well as specialized programs designed to equip them with the social, intellectual, and emotional tools they will need as adults. DJJ also places a premium on education.
As Georgia`s 181st school district, DJJ offers youth in our custody the opportunity to earn a high school diploma from a system accredited by AdvancED. Thousands of youths are served annually, including those who are placed on probation, sentenced to short-term incarceration, or committed to the Department`s custody by Juvenile Courts.
Services offered are only available to youth in our custody. For questions regarding accessibility, please visit our website.
The Department of Public Health: Help Me Grow (HMG) Georgia
www.hmhbga.org/call-center
888-HLP-GROW (888-457-4769)
2 Peachtree Street NW, 11th Floor,
Atlanta GA 30303
Help Me Grow® (HMG) is a national evidence based model designed to help states and communities leverage existing resources to ensure communities identify vulnerable children, link families to state & community-based services, and empower families to support their children’s healthy development through the implementation of four Core Components. The four core components include the centralized access point, family and community outreach, child health provider outreach, and data collection and analysis. It is the mission of Help Me Grow Georgia (HMG) to serve as an innovative impactful efficient initiative that links families to resources, closes the gaps in the current early childhood system, and develops community and state partnerships to support Georgia’s children. Georgia replicates the HMG national model through a resource & referral line, 888-HLP-GROW, which provides highly trained HMG Liaisons to support and navigate families linking them to more than 4,000 programs and services available across the state that support optimal health such as: *Dental, Vision & Medical Care providers, *Mental Health & Substance Abuse Support, *Food, Clothing and Housing Assistance, *Developmental & Early Intervention Resources, *Nutrition and Physical Activity, *Student Financial Aid, *Other Public and Private Resources *[Translation services available in over 170+ languages]. A Better Future for all Children Begins with Help Me Grow!
Division of Family & Children Services
cctu.support@dhs.ga.gov
404.657.0297
2 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta,
Georgia 30303
The Care Coordination Treatment Unit (CCTU) is a state office function of DFCS responsible for the facilitation and management of high-end, complex placements of youth in foster care. Key functions include:
- Guide DFCS field staff in the identification of appropriate placement resources for children categorized as high-end with complex needs.
- Provide additional guidance and oversight to RBWO providers to ensure that children are benefitting from therapeutic interventions and moving towards less restrictive placements.
- Provide guidance to DFCS field staff in coordination of appropriate clinical services and resources to ensure stability of children in the community.
- Lead the state through education and action to eliminate human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children.
- Facilitate on-going training and technical assistance for DFCS field staff and RBWO providers to foster better communication and partnership.
- Monitor and track trends associated with inpatient admissions and discharges of high-end youth.
- Review and approve requests for increased Room, Board and Watchful Oversight program designations at Maximum Watchful Oversight and higher.
Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
www.GAAppleseed.org
678-426-4640
1600 Parkwood Circle SE,
Atlanta GA 30339
Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is a nonprofit law center that advocates for law and policy reform that keeps children in school, out of the criminal justice system, and in stable, healthy homes. Our FAIR Project (Fairness, Advocacy, and Individualized Representation, “FAIR”) for children in foster care provides direct legal representation for children in care facing suspension or expulsion from school. We also provide trainings, data, and toolkits for caregivers, advocates, attorneys, and youth on topics ranging from behavioral health in schools and school discipline to Medicaid appeals and Tribunal representation. To request representation for a child in foster care facing suspension or expulsion, visit: https://gaappleseed.org/initiatives/tribunal
The Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB)
www.GACSB.org
912-704-6290
514 West Bankhead Hwy, Suite 500,
Villa Rica, GA 30180
As part of Georgia’s Public Safety Net, Community Service Boards (CSBs) serve eligible persons with serious mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and/or addictive diseases who have no insurance and limited means to pay for treatment. CSBs also serve persons with Medicaid. Individuals with other insurances are served based on the CSB’s capacity and local need. The Georgia Association of Community Service Boards (GACSB) is a trade association designed to provide support to all 23 CSBs operating in Georgia in the form of policy and legislative advocacy through a unified voice on both the state and national levels.
Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
decal.ga.gov Inclusion@decal.ga.gov
(SEEDS Helpline): 1-833-354-HELP (4357)
Attn: Inclusion and Behavior Support
2 MLK Jr. Drive, SE Suite 754, East Tower
Atlanta GA 30334
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families through the administration of programs like Georgia’s Pre-K, childcare licensing, and various support services. Specifically, DECAL’s Inclusion and Behavior Support program provides training and supportive coaching to educators with an emphasis on the use of best practices to promote social-emotional wellness and effectively address challenging behaviors in young children. The SEEDS helpline serves as an entry point for educators and families to initiate support services so that all young children may be successfully included in early childhood settings. DECAL is also committed to working with other state agencies and community organizations to improve the early childhood mental health system in Georgia through infrastructure work in the areas of infant and early childhood mental health policy, workforce development, promotion and prevention.
GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students
www.GEEARS.org
404-410-8564
3400 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 921,
Atlanta Georgia, 30326
GEEARS is a statewide early childhood policy, research, and advocacy organization. Our mission is to support high-quality early learning and healthy development for Georgia’s youngest children, from birth to five, by championing policies, promoting innovative and evidence-based practices, and building public will.
Georgia Parent Support Network (GPSN)
www.gpsn.org
404-758-4500
1381 Metropolitan Parkway SW,
Atlanta, Georgia 30310
The Georgia Parent Support Network (GPSN) is dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for children and youth with mental illness, emotional disturbances, and behavioral differences, and their families. GPSN is the state chapter of the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health with 32 local Federation chapters. GPSN offers a wide range of behavioral health supports which include formal and informal parent support meetings, Certified Peer Specialist-Parent and Certified Peer Specialist-Youth trainings, awareness campaigns, Therapeutic Foster Care, Transitional Youth Peer Center, Street Outreach program, CHOA Emergency Room CPS-P, Youth MOVE Georgia state chapter with 6 local chapters, among others. GPSN is an organization that prides itself on empowering families, youth, and children across Georgia. We are here for you!
Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA)
GVRA works with all individuals (14 years old and older) who have a disability and are seeking employment. Relevant Services include support to all eligible individuals with disabilities needing: Vocational assessment, counseling training and guidance; Physical and mental restoration services; School-to-work transition; Rehabilitation technology; Supported employment (Traditional, IPS, and Customized); Job readiness, job search and job placement assistance; Referral to other agencies for needed services. We have over 35 offices that provide services throughout the State of Georgia, for more information visit: https://gvs.georgia.gov/find-location to find the nearest Vocational Rehabilitation location.
Mental Health America of Georgia (MHAG)
https://www.mhageorgia.org/
(770) 741-1481
2250 N. Druid Hills Rd NE, Suite 275,
Atlanta, GA 30329
MHAG is a non-profit organization that provides mental health education and training to children, teenagers, adults, and professionals throughout the State of Georgia. The organization’s programs are in 93 of 159 counties in the state. MHAG is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with mental health challenges as well as promoting mental wellness throughout the state of Georgia. The organization is part of a growing movement that promotes mental wellness for the health and well-being of everyone in the state, while emphasizing mental health as a critical component of a healthy lifestyle.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Georgia
www.namiga.org
770-234-0855
4120 Presidential Parkway, Suite 200,
Atlanta GA, 30340
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is one of the nation’s largest grassroots organizations providing advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that all individuals affected by mental illness can build better lives. NAMI Georgia envisions a state where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares. NAMI Georgia offers a wide range of programs including support groups, educational classes, workforce development training, and awareness presentations, as well as a resource helpline to find access to the services and support you may need. You are not alone!
Together Georgia
Office@togetherga.net
404-572-6170
90-F Glenda Trace #460
Newnan GA 30265
Together Georgia (TG) is a state wide network of child and family service providers dedicated to promoting the welfare of children and families across the state. Our member agencies work together to create sustainable solutions for complex challenges facing vulnerable and at-risk populations. TG is a preeminent voice in Georgia’s child and welfare policy-making through Advocacy, Collaboration, Networking, and Communication. The association members consist of community mental health providers, child caring institutions (CCI’s), child placing agencies (CPA’s), and family preservation and support agencies.
View Point Health
View Point Health is part of Georgia’s Public Safety Net of Community Service Boards (CSBs) and serves eligible individuals with mental health needs, intellectual / developmental disabilities, and addictive diseases who are uninsured, underinsured, have Medicaid, Medicare and some with private insurances. View Point Health offers a comprehensive range of services to youth and adults through hope, help and healing at five outpatient centers including our Alianza Terapeutica Latina (ATL) location in Norcross that provides outpatient services in both Spanish and English. Our services include but are not limited to: individual therapy, medication and psychiatric services, prevention and assessment, groups, day programs for mental health and IDD, supported employment, supported housing, crisis stabilization units for adolescents and adults, five afterschool clubhouse programs, school based mental health, early treatment programs for first episode of psychosis, Autism outpatient and inpatient crisis services, inpatient substance treatment and intensive community services for youth and adults with complex needs. Through our wide range of supports and extensive community partnerships, we are able to meet the holistic and individualized needs of the individuals and families in our communities. We see recovery happening every day!
WIN Georgia
WIN Georgia is one of two Care Management Entities in Georgia. We are a service approach under the Lookout Mountain Community Services umbrella. We are funded by providing Medicaid billable services under the Department of Community Health (DCH), contracted by Care Management Organizations (CMO), and supported by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). We provide Intensive Customized Care Coordination to families statewide. Using a High Fidelity Wraparound approach, WIN Georgia staff help children, young adults, and emerging adults with complex behavioral health needs to achieve recovery and wellness in their homes and communities. We have an electronic referral form on our website: www.WINgeorgia.com under the referral tab, and our office phone is 706- 806- 1260.