April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and we are genuinely honored and grateful for the tremendous support and encouragement we have received throughout our Cobb Collaborative network.

Recently, City of Austell Mayor Ollie Clemons, presented Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton, with a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Thank you, Mayor Clemons, for your support and prevention efforts!

We were also honored to have Prevent Child Abuse Georgia Executive Director, Jennifer Stein, join us at our Coffee With the Collaborative earlier this week. We value the great work, collaboration, advocacy and leadership PCA Georgia provides to our state and our local network!

In support of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Cobb Collaborative, in our role as Prevent Child Abuse Cobb, will continue distributing free awareness kits to local nonprofits, businesses, faith-based organizations and individuals who want to join together in awareness, advocacy and action in preventing child abuse and neglect. These kits contain items such as Pinwheels for Prevention, car magnets, lapel pins and informational flyers that are available in both English and Spanish. Those interested in a receiving a free awareness kit should contact Irene Barton via email.

Mental health affects ALL people, regardless of culture, race, ethnicity, age, gender, or sexual orientation.

Through ARPA grant funding, Cobb Collaborative is offering no cost Mental Health First Aid training opportunities in 2023. Educating yourself about mental health is one of the best ways you can help yourself and the people in your family and community who are struggling with mental health issues.

Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis.

The Collaborative is offering Mental Health First Aid training as well as Mental Health First Aid for Fire and EMS, Mental Health First Aid for Public Safety, Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, and Mental Health First Aid for Youth. Please visit our Events Calendar to find training dates and registration links.

Our next Mental Health First Aid training is being presented on April 28 in partnership with SDP3. Please note that this specific class requires 2 hours (app.) of individual pre-work and 5 hours of virtual class training. Participants MUST complete the pre-work to be able to join the virtual session.

We encourage everyone to take advantage of these no cost training opportunities as we can ALL can benefit from this knowledge and practical application. Please also SHARE these events with your networks to further advocacy of mental health resources and support.

Our second quarter Basics Cobb County Quarterly Partners Meeting is coming up on Tuesday, April 18, from 8:30-10:00AM.

Those involved in the early learning (birth to age 5) space and invited and encouraged to attend. Questions? Email thebasics@cobbcollaborative.org

On March 21st, voters cast their ballot for Mayor and 6 City Council members for the newly incorporated City of Mableton. Since none of the candidates for Mayor and City Council for districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 received a majority of the vote, the top two candidates for each seat will head to a runoff. Check out the details below and mark your calendars so you don't miss your chance to make your voice heard.

Advance Voting Locations:

NOTE: Eligible residents within Mableton City Limits can vote at either location during advance voting.

Absentee Voting:

995 Roswell St. NE Marietta, GA 30060

770-528-2581

Click here to read/download our 2022 Impact Report. As you read this report and see the numbers, keep in mind that our work is also ultimately about people. Our neighbors. Our children. Our friends. Our community. Which is why we have even bigger plans for 2023 and beyond.

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

Whether it’s financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, child care, job training, and other free or reduced-cost services specific to your area, essential resources can be via Find Help Georgia.

Keep up with the Collaborative Connection. Check out our Newsletter web page to find:

If you would like to submit events/resources/information for inclusion in our newsletter, please email Kelly Mellen.