Behavioral Health 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 mental health and substance misuses 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.
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), along with its network of community providers/Community Service Boards, offers treatment and support services to youth, young adults, adults, and families who may have a behavioral health need. While DBHDD is comprised of many different offices, personnel, and locations, our team is united through our goal of serving Georgia Families and meeting their unique needs. We understand that one’s behavioral health journey can be confusing, emotional, and full of many turns; we are here to be a resource and provide help along the way.
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.
United Way of Greater Atlanta 2-1-1
United Way of Greater Atlanta’s (UWGA) 2-1-1 is a full service contact and referral center – connecting residents to assistance they need to address everyday challenges of living, as well as those that develop during emergencies. UWGA’s 2-1-1 Contact Center covers Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale Counties. Additionally, UWGA’s 2-1-1 provides coverage for other 2-1-1 centers in the state: Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Forsyth County, Hall County, and Macon. To search for community services, dial 2-1-1 or call (404) 614-1000. You can also reach 2-1-1 via the web (www.211online.unitedwayatlanta.org), email (contact211@unitedwayatlanta.org), or download the 2-1-1 mobile app on your smartphone.
Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health (COE)
gacoeonline.gsu.edu
404-413-0314
Georgia Health Policy Center, Georgia State University 55 Park Place, 8th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
The Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health is part of the Georgia Health Policy Center which is housed within Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. The Center of Excellence was created in partnership with the Child and Adolescent Office of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). We work in tandem with a broad array of partners to support the development and implementation of a sustainable System of Care that is individualized, comprehensive, coordinated, culturally competent, and driven by child and family needs.
Georgia Family Connection Partnership
www.gafcp.org
404-527-7394
Communications@gafcp.org
235 Peachtree ST. Suite 1600
Atlanta GA, 30303
Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) represents and promotes the work of Georgia Family Connection, the only statewide network of its kind in the country. GaFCP serves as a resource to state agencies across Georgia that work to improve the conditions of children and families. The state’s designated KIDS COUNT grantee, GaFCP also provides state agencies and policymakers at all levels with current, reliable data they need to inform decisions about improving outcomes for the children, families, and communities they serve.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
As the only free-standing pediatric healthcare system in Georgia, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is the trusted leader in caring for kids. The not-for-profit organization’s mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow through more than 60 pediatric specialties and programs, top healthcare professionals, and leading research and technology. Children’s is one of the largest pediatric clinical care providers in the country, managing more than one million patient visits annually at three hospitals, Marcus Autism Center, the Center for Advanced Pediatrics and our neighborhood locations. Consistently ranked among the top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s has helped improve the lives of kids in Georgia, across the U.S. and around the world for more than 100 years, thanks to generous support from the community. Children’s is committed to being a leader and partner in building a pediatric behavioral and mental health ecosystem that improves outcomes, reduces stigma, and enhances access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. We designed a plan to help the 1.5 million children in metropolitan Atlanta flourish and thrive, regardless of their circumstances. Together, we will build a pediatric behavioral and mental health ecosystem in which our children can truly feel better today and healthier tomorrow.
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 Alliance of Therapeutic Services (GATS)
CherylDresser@att.net
1301 Monroe Avenue,
Atlanta GA 30306
The Georgia Alliance of Therapeutic Services (GATS) is a provider association comprised of nationally accredited human service organizations that provide therapeutic services to support children, young adults, and families in Georgia. GATS members represent services from the least to the most intensive in order to address the myriad needs of the individuals requiring clinical care. GATS was formed in 2004 when leaders of the “ high end”, therapeutic services in the state came together for exchange of information and mutual support. Today GATS seeks to support and strengthen the work of its member agencies as they serve children, young adults, and families under stress or disruption, to speak with a voice of unity on matters of concern to association members, and to assist the agencies in striving for excellence in programs and services. GATS seeks to keep the treatment needs of children, young adults, and families with behavioral health and developmental disability needs and/or substance abuse issues before the General
Assembly.
Voices for Georgia’s Children
Voices for Georgia’s Children is the state’s only non-partisan statewide “whole child” policy and advocacy organization. Our work is framed in a holistic perspective that allows us to identify how different policies impact children and to propose solutions that benefit children on multiple levels, from access to physical and mental health care, to ensuring high quality child care and education, developmentally appropriate school discipline practices, and supports for youth in foster care. We amplify the voices of Georgia’s children and families at the highest levels of government. Because we believe every child in Georgia can thrive when given the opportunity, we advance laws, policies, and actions that improve all areas of child wellbeing – particularly those furthest from opportunity.
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 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 Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
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.
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.
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.
Resilient Georgia
ResilientGA.org
info@resilientga.org
678-940-1431
5170 Peachtree Road, Building 100, Suite 400,
Atlanta GA 30341
Resilient Georgia is dedicated to healing adversity and promoting resiliency in children and families through the prevention and early intervention of ACEs and sharing best practices to support Georgia’s System-of-Care implementation and coordination. We are a large state-wide coalition comprised of over 600 public and private stakeholders. We pride ourselves on connecting, convening and breaking down barriers to allow every Georgian the behavioral health services they need with our end goal of creating a birth through 26 year old integrated behavioral health system. Please contact us at any time to attend one of our general meetings to learn more about what our many partners are doing, how you can get involved, and check out our website and social media platforms for valuable resources, events and opportunities!
The Carter Center Mental Health Program
https://www.cartercenter.org
ana.cunningham@cartercenter.org
453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30307
Under the leadership of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program works to promote awareness about mental health issues, inform public policy, achieve equity for behavioral health care comparable to other health care, and reduce stigma. In Georgia, we work collaboratively to increase access to mental health and substance use care, through initiatives such as advocating for parity – or equity in insurance coverage for mental health and substance use conditions – and school-based behavioral health for youth. Note: the program focuses on public policy and systems change and does not provide direct services to individuals.
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 Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
www.gaaap.org
404-881-5091
1350 Spring Street NW, Suite 700,
Atlanta Georgia 30309
The Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is a non-profit organization that is the only statewide pediatric association serving pediatricians in Georgia. Our mission is to improve the health and welfare of all infants, children, and adolescents by maintaining the highest standards of practice in pediatrics and uniting qualified primary care pediatricians and pediatric medical & surgical subspecialists of the state into a representative organization for the advancement of the practice of pediatrics. We work to further the policies and objectives of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) at the state and local level. Chapter members receive support on various issues such as breastfeeding & nutrition, immunizations, behavioral/mental health, and pediatric primary care. To find a pediatrician and obtain information on child well being from the AAP, visit HealthyChildren.org.
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.
The Department of Community Health (DCH)
dch.georgia.gov
404-463-7495
404-651-6889
2 Peachtree Street NW, 37th Floor,
Atlanta GA 30303
MAButler@dch.ga.gov
Medicaid is the federal and state-funded medical assistance program that provides low-income individuals with access to free and low-cost medical care. Medicaid provides support for pregnant women, children, retirees age 65 and older, and people who are legally blind or disabled. Those who need nursing home care or those who have breast or cervical cancer may also qualify. The division also oversees a number of waiver programs that provide home- and community-based medical, behavioral and social services to enrollees. As part of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid administers PeachCare for Kids,® a comprehensive, managed care program for uninsured children in low-income families living in Georgia.
Georgia Families 360°SM, is the Georgia’s managed care program for approximately 27,000 children, youth, and young adults in foster care, children and youth receiving adoption assistance, and select youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Launched on March 3, 2014, Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia, one of the state’s CMOs, provides health care coverage for these populations.
Georgia Families 360° program goals are to:
- Improve access to health care services, particularly for physical and behavioral health services covered by the Medicaid program.
- Increase continuity of care, including when members transition in and out of foster care.
- Enhance health outcomes by providing additional care coordination, and improved physical and behavioral health oversight.
Voices for Georgia's Children
Voices for Georgia’s Children is a nonprofit child policy and advocacy organization that envisions a Georgia where all children thrive because they are safe, healthy, connected to family and community, and prepared to be productive and responsible citizens. Our mission is to promote equity, quality, and accessibility in systems created to serve children’s needs. We are dedicated to advancing policies and implementation actions that ensure the best possible outcomes for children.