Community Possibilities

Welcome to Community Possibilities ®! This In this podcast, I will be joined by community leaders, doing the hard work of social change. We will talk about root causes and dig deep to understand social and health inequities. Let’s imagine all of the possibilities if we learn how to talk to each other, not at each other.

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Community Possibilities

Building a Resilient Georgia

August 07, 2024 • Ann Price • Season 1 • Episode 61

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Emily Ann Ball and Audrey Itikata of Resilient Georgia join us to talk about their work with the organization marking its fifth year of dedication to trauma-informed approaches, child wellness and early brain development.

Resilient Georgia combats mental health stigma and supports trauma-informed practices through partnerships with 16 regional coalitions spanning 120 counties. We discuss the varied mental health challenges across urban and rural areas, emphasizing innovative strategies to prevent mental health challenges. Emily and Audrey provide a comprehensive look at the organization's mission, highlighting successful initiatives across Georgia.

We discuss the transformative power of shared language in trauma care and the significance of building resilience through positive childhood experiences. Emily and Audrey stress the importance of community partnerships, accessible resources, and the role of social connections and play in trauma work.

Guest Bios
Emily Anne Vall became Executive Director of Resilient Georgia where she leads the creation of a statewide coalition of trauma-informed organizations by convening diverse private and public partners to create a birth through 26 year old integrated behavioral health system. The statewide coalition includes over 700 stakeholders working to prevent adverse childhoodexperiences (ACEs) and supporthealing through integratedbehavioral health resources andservices. Vall earned her PhD in Physical Education and Health Pedagogy with a cognate in Diversity Studies from the University of South Carolina. She completed her undergraduate teaching degree at Florida Southern College before attending the University of South Florida focusing on physical education and special needs populations.

Audrey Idaikkadar has worked with communities to strategically improve health
and wellness for more than a decade. She believes coalition building and elevating the voices of those most impacted by disparities can help create thriving communities for all. Audrey supports grantees in their coalitional work to prevent and heal childhood adversity, advance trauma informed awareness and care, and promote resilience with children and their families in their communities. Idaikkadar earned her Bachelor of Arts in American Studies with highest honors from the University of California at Berkeley and her Master of Public Health from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health. She is also a trained oral historian and recently completed her master’s degree in history at Georgia State University.

Resilient Georgia's website.

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Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions

How Ann can help:

· Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization.

· Help you create a strategic plan that doesn’t stress you and your group out, doesn’t take all year to design, and is actionable.

· Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations.

· Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving.

· Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action.

· Speak at your conference or event.

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Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com