Community leaders from across metro Atlanta convened on Tuesday, February 1, for the first annual Resilient Cobb Summit presented by Cobb Collaborative. This half-day event was held at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Cobb Community Foundation. Speakers from Resilient Georgia addressed the significant need to recognize trauma, identify issues stemming from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and work to build resilience to foster better outcomes. Two panel discussions were held during the Resilient Cobb Summit which focused on the need to build trauma-informed schools as well as trauma-informed juvenile court systems to help build thriving and resilient communities. Dr. Denise Magee, Principal of Lindley Sixth Grade Academy, said “Being trauma-informed is not something we do. It’s who we are.”

ACEs are defined as “potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood centered around neglect, abuse, and household dysfunction.” These can undermine a child’s sense of safety, stability, and bonding. Persistent exposure to one or more ACEs as a child or adolescent can cause prolonged activation of the body’s stress response, which triggers toxic stress. Toxic stress, when not properly addressed and reduced, can dramatically change how the brain develops and can lead to many learning and behavioral issues as a child, as well as many common life-threatening health conditions as an adult. Statistically, 3 in 5 adults living in Georgia have experienced at least one ACE in their lifetime. Research shows that those who have experienced ACEs are more likely to experience longer-term physical ailments such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, suicide and more.

Given this prevalence and the potential ramifications associated with ACEs, a need has been recognized for building trauma-informed and responsive communities in which resilience building is made possible It was this awareness and advocacy that launched the first annual Resilient Cobb Summit. Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton, says, “Introducing and building momentum around trauma-informed and trauma-responsive practices is an important pillar of our Mind Your Mind mental health initiative. We are leading our community in recognizing the prevalence of ACEs and why it is important to work collaboratively to address the potential impacts. But the greater opportunity is preventing ACEs since we know that early intervention is more effective and less expensive.”

Cobb Collaborative also presented a new downloadable Mental Health toolkit at the Summit. This toolkit was designed by Cobb Collaborative Program Director, Kaleigh Raulerson, and contains valuable information regarding mental health including statistics, resources and information that can be shared via social media, newsletters or distributed as print items. The toolkit is available online, click here to access our "Mental Health Resources Toolkits" page and scroll down to download the "Mental Health Resources Toolkit."

Donated books may be dropped off at our office located in the Tillman House Resource Center at 940 Concord Rd SE in Smyrna. Alternately, please contact Executive Director, Irene Barton, to make donation arrangements.

Tommy Nobis Center recently named David Hamilton as Chief Operating Officer. David has served as Vice President, Administration since 2020. In his new role, he will focus on operationalizing TNC's strategic plans and oversee the Programs, Business Operations, Accounting, and People & Culture Departments. Read more here.

The PAL After School Program Leader will provide a safe haven for youth in K – 12th grades through at the Hugh L. Grogan Jr Community Center, 510 Lawrence St., Marietta, GA. The goal of the PAL After School Program is to empower youth with an increased knowledge of health and fitness, sports and recreation, while also helping them improve in academics, leadership development, teamwork and self-esteem.

The PAL After School Program Leader will work closely with the PAL After School Program Site Supervisor to plan and implement all the After School programs and activities to include health and fitness, sports and recreation, academic sessions, field trips, daily meals, program events and parent participation. The PAL After School Program Leader will be flexible and adaptable to changing situations and children’s needs, will teach and model positive behavior, values and follow all PAL after school policies and procedures. The PAL After School Program Leader will have a genuine interest in the development of youth and assist the After School Program Coordinator and all staff, facilitators and volunteers in ensuring a positive environment that promotes and enhances the development of youth by instilling a sense of belonging, competence and confidence.

Up to four part-time positions are available through May 27, 2022 with option to continue through Summer Camp and continue thereafter, if approved. Four shifts available Monday through Friday, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, please forward your resume to Daneea Badio-McCray at dbadio@mariettaga.gov or 770-794-5425

One benefit that Cobb Collaborative member organizations have is access to posting events on our website calendar. All you need is your website login and then you have access for event posting. If you need help with that, please click here for an instructional video.

If you need your login information or have any other questions, please email Irene Barton.

To gain FDO access either remotely or in our office by appointment, please email Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton.

For more information on the FDO, visit: bit.ly/CandidFDO

If you are caring for a loved one and need a little more training and understand on your role, Senior Services Cobb County has partnered with Trualta to offer an online course that you can take at your own pace, according to your schedule. Trualta is a personalized, skills-based training platform for family members caring for aging loved ones living at home. Click here for registration.

We are constantly adding new events to our calendar! Be sure to check out our website for a full list of upcoming programming.

We've said this before, but this time we really mean it! Please join the H.A.S. Foundation Board of Directors & Supporters for a fun evening of Casino Games (which are for entertainment purposes only), prizes and City Barbecue!

All proceeds benefit local athletes & their desire to play the sports they love. So grab your friends and get ready to enjoy delicious BBQ & try your "luck" at the casino tables!

Purchase tickets here! If you are unable to join us but would like to support what we do, please consider a donation!

We will be observing safe gathering protocols with respect to COVID-19. If you feel sick the day of the event, we encourage you to stay at home.

Registration is now open! Make plans to join to serve your community and make a difference! Interested in more information about the Day of Service? Visit their web page by clicking here or email dayofservice@kennesaw.edu