According to a study by Mental Health America, Georgia statistically ranks 48th in the US for access to mental health care, resources, and insurance. MHA further states that "In Georgia, an individual with serious mental illness has a one in five chance of ending up in prison instead of a hospital." Additionally, MHA findings show that two in five Georgia children have trouble accessing needed mental health treatment.

Mental health is one of three forefront initiatives of the Cobb Collaborative. The Collaborative facilitates a variety of mental health training events through their Mind Your Mind mental health initiative. To further provide needed resources, Cobb Collaborative launched a Mental Health Resources Toolkit online earlier this year. This downloadable Toolkit provides free access to important mental health information and resources. Thanks to grant funding from Cobb & Douglas Public Health's Community Health Improvement Plan Partnership Grant, the Toolkit is now also available in Spanish. Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton, says, “At the Cobb Collaborative, we recognize the importance of mental health as it applies to all people. Presenting our free digital mental health toolkits in both English and Spanish helps us to facilitate equity in access to mental health resources. We believe that mental health must be destigmatized and prioritized in order to help create resilient communities in which everyone can thrive." To access these mental health toolkits , please click here.

In partnership with Uplift Georgia and the Cobb County Public Library, the Collaborative is encouraging participation in the Library's summer reading program - Oceans of Possibilities. Summer reading programs at public libraries in Georgia offer creative, fun, and free ways to build a love for reading. Libraries offer prizes for meeting reading goals, in-person and online activities, and even opportunities to explore Georgia. This program is open to readers of ALL ages! For more information, please click here.

We have enjoyed getting out in the Cobb community on a weekly basis to distribute books to young reader. So far this summer, we have given out over 100 books and young readers have logged numerous community reading minutes! To learn more about Cobb Collaborative's literacy initiative and the Literacy And Justice For All program, please click here.

We are always accepting new and gently used books to distribute in Cobb communities and in Little Free Libraries. To donate, please contact Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton. Monetary donations to our LFL Campaign can be made by clicking here.

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

Thu, July 14, 2022 10:00AM EDT

Starting in early June, Happy Helpings, Georgia’s Summer Food Service Program, will provide meals to children free of charge at three Cobb County public libraries.

Cobb County Public Library is teaming with Georgia Educational Resources Inc. (GER) for the third year to provide summer meal service, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. The food will be distributed through drive-through service in library parking lots.

Packages of 14 meals each – one full week of breakfasts and lunches – will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last one day per week at the following locations and dates, excluding the week July 4-8:

Prepared by a local county-inspected commercial kitchen, the meals are free for children ages 18 and younger. Adults 19 years and older who are enrolled in school programs for persons with disabilities will also receive meals.

For more information on Happy Helpings, please click here.

Applications are due by September 9, 2022, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis before they are considered for funding by the Board of Commissioners.

Detailed instructions and “frequently asked questions” are included as part of the online application. Interested applicants are encouraged to read the application thoroughly before starting the process. Paper copies of the application will also be available for those who need them and will be available at the county building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. The County will host a second webinar on June 27 at 6:00 pm to discuss the application process. Click here for more information.

For additional resources, please click here for our Q2 Resource Newsletter.