Resilient Georgia was recognized by the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (GA AAP) with the prestigious Chapter Friend of Children Award for 2024. This award celebrates Resilient Georgia’s leadership and partnership in the Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP), an initiative to ensure the most effective, scientifically proven mental health care reaches all children and families by providing a training program for Primary Care Clinicians.
Thanks to a partnership between The REACH Institute and Georgia’s Pediatric Healthcare Improvement Coalition, fueled by a $222,000 community investment from Aetna, Resilient Georgia has trained pediatric primary care providers (PCPs) across under-resourced areas of Georgia through the Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) course.
Led by national experts in child psychiatry, psychology, and pediatrics, the PPP course provides PCPs with the tools and skills to identify, assess, and treat common mental health challenges—such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression—directly in their practices. In 2022 and 2023, this initiative offered free, intensive in-person training to 68 PCPs in Augusta and Columbus, ensuring greater access to mental health care for children in need throughout Georgia.
“It is important to have access to pediatric primary care to support both the physical and mental well-being of children across all of Georgia, not just in the metro areas,” said Emily Anne Vall, Executive Director of Resilient Georgia. “We’re grateful to the GA AAP for their partnership in this work and for helping us move closer to our shared vision of creating a birth-through-26 integrated behavioral health system across the state.”
This recognition underscores Resilient Georgia’s commitment to ensuring every child in Georgia has access to comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.
What the pediatricians are saying:
"PPP significantly increased my confidence in treating mental health conditions in pediatric patients. I've seen them transform as they get help they need, without having to wait months to see a psychiatrist. They each come back a different person. This program has been life changing for my practice!" - Priya Thomas, MD, FAAP
"PPP significantly improved my ability to counsel kids, parents, and other caregivers about behavioral health challenges. The 6-month consults connected me to a network of PCPs and other experts. I feel supported and confident that my patients receive the most up to date care. I highly recommend this program to anyone who provides healthcare to children and teens!" - Evan Brockman, MD, MPH, FAAP
“[This course was] so incredibly valuable for a bazillion reasons. The intentionality of primary care providers presenting and including their personal experiences felt so key to overcoming hesitation. I no longer need to fear the months-long waits for mental health providers in my community. I am able to start specific care now. Thanks for breaking down that wall. Ultimately, I just want my patients to thrive!” - Yolanda Wade, MD
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