Annual Report

FY 2018

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 CONTENTS
Contents............................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Mission............................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Board of Directors/GPSN Leadership Team/Advisory Board............................................................................................. 4

Letter from CEO................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Family Network Advocacy/Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health................................................................ 6

Therapeutic Foster Care and Respite Care........................................................................................................................ 7

Transitional Youth Peer Center and Youth M.O.V.E. Georgia............................................................................................. 8

2018 Outcomes, Highlights & Accomplishments................................................................................................................ 9

GPSN Financial Data....................................................................................................................................................... 10

Mardi Gras 2018................................................................................................................................................................11

Children’s Mental Health Day at the Capitol 2018............................................................................................................ 12

Donors and Contributors.................................................................................................................................................. 13

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Our Mission
Georgia Parent Support Network, Inc. is dedicated to providing support, education and advocacy for children and youth with mental illness, emotional disturbances,
and behavioral differences and their families.

Georgia Parent Support Network (GPSN) is a grassroots family-run non-profit organization established in 1987. GPSN works on the premise that families are key
to systems change and believes that families are the best and most effective agents for change. GPSN was founded in response to the lack of knowledge about
services and an actual lack of services in Georgia, that address the needs of children with mental illness, emotional disturbances, and behavioral differences.
GPSN is a board-directed family support organization whose board consists of 9 to 14 family members and concerned citizens at any given time. Working with
families at the community level is at the heart of GPSN’s vision and mission.

In FY18, GPSN served over 1,300 children and their families. GPSN Family Support Partners work one-on-one with families to provide care coordination,
support, advocacy, education, mentoring, information, and referral services uniquely tailored to each family’s specific needs. GPSN works to assist families in a
variety of settings including schools, courts, social service agencies, mental health agencies, and other community agencies. GPSN has been a key stakeholder
in system transformation efforts through participation in local, regional, and state councils and committees.

“Unmasking Children’s Mental Illness”

Mardi Gras Ball in 2018

• Frank Berry, Commissioner, Department of Community Health

• Katie Childers, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for Governor Deal,
Mardi Gras Queen
• Judy Fitzgerald, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of
Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
• Sue Smith, Chief Executive Officer, GPSN

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Board Of Directors GPSN Leadershi� Team
Kathy Dennis Sue L. Smith, Ed.D.
Board President Chief Executive Officer

Brett Barton, LPC

Hope Darden-Swift
Chief Operating Officer
Treasurer/Secretary
John Zolkowski
Chief Financial Officer
Barbia Dunbar-Arnold
Carolyn Walker Blue Huckeba
Human Resources Manager
Karl Dennis
Linda Seay Angie Coker-Lupo
Lisa Rager Director of Advocacy
Sherry Jenkins Tucker Quindland Hervey
Todd Estroff, M.D. Therapeutic Foster Care Program Director

Advisory Board
Cynthia Wainscott
President of the Board Emeritus

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 A letter from the
Chief Executive Officer

2018 was a very good year. After waiting 15 years, GPSN finally got the go ahead to rehab our “House of Hope” and after sitting
empty for all those years rehab was definitely was needed. Thanks to the generosity and support of so many of you, it is well on its
way to becoming a reality.

The 2018 Mardi Gras Ball was fabulous, as always. Take a look at some of the pictures throughout this report. Thanks to Department
of Community Health Commissioner Frank Berry for his tremendous support and direction, to the lovely 2018 Queen of the Ball,
Katie Childers, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for Governor Deal, and to all of the attendees, staff, volunteers, and, of course, the
Fabulous Fox Theater.

Twenty-nine years ago, on July 15, GPSN was founded in Macon, GA and shortly thereafter became the Georgia chapter of the
Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. The past 29 years have been a long and winding road with a lot of really
wonderful people and opportunities. Thanks you!

GPSN continues to grow and we are very proud of our Advocacy Program and the opportunity to work with families and youth and
to be a part of many wonderful groups and programs statewide as we continue to evolve. You inspire us and hopefully we inspire
you. One day at a time, our progress may seem slow, but looking back over the 29 years, we have had the tremendous privilege
of working together to make Georgia a better place for our children and families. We have come a long way but of course there is
still a long way to go.

The Therapeutic Foster Care Program through the Department of Family and Children’s Services continues to serve some of the
most in-need children in the state of Georgia we are proud of our track record. It has been a true privilege to serve.
The Peer-to Peer Youth Transition Program never ceases to amaze me. The youth in the program are always busy working to make
the world a better place. They are super excited about moving into the “House of Hope” and planning for the future.
We are very excited about the opportunities that 2019 holds and look forward to sharing the year with you all.

Sue Smith, Ed.D. www.gpsn.org • info@gpsn.org • 404-758-4500

Chief Executive Officer

5 Georgia Parent Support Network

 Family Network for Advocacy
Federation of Families
for Children’s Mental Health
Georgia Parent Support Network, Inc. is both the Statewide Chapter and the Atlanta/Fulton County Chapter of the National Federation of
Families for Children’s Mental Health. GPSN works with the 26 local chapters throughout Georgia which provide advocacy training and support
to families, youth and their children.

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 Therapeutic Foster Care and
Respite Care Services
Therapeutic Foster Care
Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) is out-of-home placement for children who have already entered the custody of a state agency. The child is placed in the home of
a trained Therapeutic Foster Care Provider who assumes the duties of caregiver for the length of time the child is placed within their home. Foster parents provide
24-hour therapeutic care to children ages 0-18 who cannot live at home due to previous neglect, emotional, physical, sexual abuse, and /or a current family crisis.
GPSN is dedicated to providing safe therapeutic services and support for children with a range of emotional, developmental, and behavioral challenges. The TFC
Coordinator organizes community-based services, support, and training to maintain the child in the community.

Respite Care
Respite care is planned or emergency relief for guardians or caregivers of children with a range of emotional, developmental and behavioral challenges who are
in state custody. Respite care occurs as part of ongoing mental health services. In some instances, respite takes place on an unplanned basis due to a crisis
situation. Trained respite care workers assume the duties of caregiving for a brief period of time to give parents/guardians a break from the constant strain of
parenting a child with serious emotional problems.

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 Transitional Youth Peer Center and
Youth M.O.V.E. Georgia
Transitional Youth Peer Center
The Transitional Youth Peer Center Program provides services and training to youth between the ages of 17 and 26 who have aged-out of child and adolescent
mental health services. This provision of services is provided by youth staff who serve as mentors and team workers at GPSN. The services and trainings
include, but are not limited to: vocational assessment, life skills, personal hygiene, cooking, tutoring, interview skills, and youth support groups. These services
are provided to the youth according to the youth’s individual needs and desires. Education is the key to success and each young adult is encouraged and
supported to pursue a high school diploma or general education degree (GED). The TYPC also assists participants with opportunities for post-secondary
education including a college degree, technical school certificate program, and provides trade union opportunities. Living situations and arrangements can
be challenging for young adults who have a history of mental illness, emotional disturbance, or behavioral differences. The TYPC strives to find housing/living
situations that enhance the participant’s quality of life.

Youth M.O.V.E. Georgia

Motivating Others Through Voices of Experience
Youth M.O.V.E. Georgia is a youth-led, statewide organization devoted to improving services and systems that support positive growth and development. This is
done by uniting the voices of individuals who have lived in and experienced various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, education, and child welfare.
Youth M.O.V.E. welcomes any and all youth between the ages of 14 and 29. Youth M.O.V.E. Georgia has five chapters as of 2018.

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 2018 Outcomes, Highlights
& Accomplishments
• GPSN advocate at the federal, state, local, and individual case level.
• Provided support, food, clothing, and other basic necessities for children and families via the Statewide Family Network Grant.
• Continued leadership in educating Georgia’s policymakers and legislators.
• Served on committees across Georgia, including the Mental Health Planning Council, the Behavioral Health Services Coalition, the
Recovery Initiative, the Systems of Care (SOC) Committee, the Interagency Directors Team (IDT), Behavioral Health Planning and
Advisory Council, Fulton LIPT Committee, Georgia 360 Families Committee.
• Provided families with accurate, up-to-date information on laws, school issues, behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders, and
community resources.
• Provided holiday gifts to 230 children and families.
• Provided up-to-date and real-time, useful information through advocacy-based e-blasts to the email list of 2,648 people. GPSN’s
Facebook page has 1,352 followers. Twitter feed has 777 followers. GPSN website had 46,942 page views in 2018.
• Provided services to 21 transitioning youth.
• Responded to over 780 telephone calls for family support and referrals.
• Provided safety and shelter to 82 children through the Therapeutic Foster Care program and 38 children through Respite Services.
• Provided services to 24 transitioning youth through the Transitioning Youth Peer Center.
• Youth M.O.V.E Georgia has five chapters: Youth M.O.V.E. Georgia has 31 members, Youth M.O.V.E Fulton has 18 members, Youth
M.O.V.E. - D.F.I.A which has 3 members, as well as Youth M.O.V.E. F.A.V.O.R. which has 10 members.

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 Financial Data
GPSN Programs Are Supported by Diverse Funding

GPSN’s revenue for FY18 totaled $2,904,981. Financial support was provided by multiple agencies and funding sources including the Georgia Department of
Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, The Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services, a Statewide Family Network Grant funded by
SAMHSA, and a Peer-to-Peer Grant funded by DBHDD. In addition, GPSN holds benefit fundraisers, which includes the annual “Unmasking Children’s Mental
Illness” Mardi Gras Benefit Ball.

Public Support and Revenue:

State and Local Grants......................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 763,561

Federal Grant....................................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 102,452
Contributions.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 39,583
Contract Services..............................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 1,988,032
Medicaid Revenue.............................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 6,213
Other Income.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 5,140

Total Public Support & Revenues...................................................................................................................... $ 2,904,981

Expenses:

Program Services..............................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 2,456,661

Support Services:
Management and General.........................................................................................................................................................................................$ 396,788
Fundraising................................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 61,849

Total Expenses............................................................................................................................................ $ 2,915,297

Decrease in Net Assets...................................................................................................................................................................................................$ 10,017

Net Assets, at beginning of year......................................................................................................................................................................................$ 589,287
Net Assets, at end of year............................................................................................................................... $ 599,304

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Mardi Gras 2018
What a fun evening as we gathered
for our 14th Annual Mardi Gras Benefit
Ball “Unmasking Mental Illness” at the Fox
Theatre!
Katie Childers, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy -
After graduating from Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia, Childers earned her
master’s in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. In 2011, Childers joined the
Governor’s Office after working as an intern for Governor Sonny Perdue and in the insurance industry
as a business development manager. She has served as Deal’s health policy advisor and policy
director. Currently, Childers works as the deputy chief of staff for policy. In her current role, she is
responsible for overseeing the team of advisors who develop and advocate for Governor Deal’s policy
agenda to legislators, the executive branch, and other stakeholders. Childers was named to UGA’s
40 Under 40 in 2016. She and her husband, Will, have one son and are members of Peachtree Road
United Methodist Church. They reside in Atlanta. 11
 Children’s Mental
Health Awareness Day 2018
Families and children, legislators, and organizations gathered on May 10, 2018 to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day at the Georgia Freight
Depot. The topic was “Partnering for Health and Hope Following Trauma.” Commissioner Judy Fitzgerald with the Georgia DBHDD gave the welcome. Dante
McKay, Director, Office of Children, Young Adults & Families, Georgia DBHDD gave a presentation titled: “Dream Big”. At the South Wing of the Georgia Capitol,
Cynthia Wainscott, President of the Board Emeritus, GPSN, introduced the youth speakers. Afterward, everyone returned to the Depot for a panel discussion
titled: “How can we stop the youth suicide crisis?” Youth advocates, a physician, and parent advocates answered key questions.

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 Donors & &Contributors
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Donors Contributors
GPSNGPSN
thanks
thanksall ofour
all of our 2018
2018 donors. donors.
Our work would not be
possible
Our work would notwithout your help! without your help!
be possible Healthy Future Rollins & Associates
Amy and John Zolkowski
Georgia Mental Health Sandra & Freddy
Adrianne Proeller Department of Atlanta Braves Kroger The Georgia Collaborative ASO/
Consumer Network Maynard
Advancement Resources Barbia Dunbar Arnold Kathy and Karl Dennis
Behavioral Health Beacon Options
Henry’s Louisiana Grill Sue Smith
Alliant Health Solutions Developmental Kim Jones The Knitting Project
Beacon Health Options
Disabilities High Museum
Kristan Adams, MD of Art The Atlanta
Thomas Falcons Ed.D.
Bornemann,
Amy White
Behavioral Health Link
Amy and John Zolkowski Derrick Williams Highland
Laura Lucas Rivers Health The Fox Theater
Tod Estroff
CareSource
Atlanta Braves Foundation Dr. Diane Schlachter Lily TrinhInside CNN Studio Tour Thomas
Todd Bournemann,
Citron
Care and Counseling
Barbia Dunbar Arnold Ellyn Jeager Lisa & Wes Rager
IResearch TopGolf
Ed.D.
Babara Friesen Services
Friends of Katie Dempsey of Georgia Lynn Dempsey Tranquil Touch
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Tod Estroff
Carter Center Trent
Beacon Health Options Georgia Aquarium Maran Banta
JetBlue TopGolf Photography
Chau
Behavioral Health Link Carolyn
Georgia Association of Walker Matt Crouch, Peachford Hospital
Johnetta Huckeba
Unison Behavioral Health
Toys for Tots
Breauna Johnson CSBs Center of Excellence for Mental Health America Valerie Williams
Joseph and Kathleen Tranquil Touch
Briggs & Associates Georgia Council onChildren’s Behavioral Michael Zell View Point Health
Zolkowski Unison Behavioral Health
CareSource Substance Abuse Health NAMI Georgia Voices for Georgia’s Children
Judy Fitzgerald & Tim ValueOptions
Care and Counseling Georgians for a Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Wellcare
Community Friendship
Services of Georgia Healthy Future ScarboroughGould ViewMitchell
Zach Point Health
Cynthia Wainscott
Carol Coussons de Reyes Georgia Mental Health Kathy
Newport Academy and Karl Dennis Wellcare
Department of
Carter Center Consumer Network Kristan Adams, MD
Patricia Kraemer
Carolyn Walker Giselle Johnson Behavioral Health Peach State Health
Lisa & Plan
Wes Rager
Catherine Carlson High Museum of Art Developmental Pierluigi Matt
Mancini
Crouch
Center of Excellence for Disabilities
Highland Rivers Health Pins up FFCMH
Mental Health America
Children’s Behavioral Inside CNN StudioDr.Tour
Diane Schlachter Reme Rodriguez
Michael Zell
Health IResearch Ellyn Jeager Ritz-Carlton Hotel
NAMI Georgia
Chrisitie and Sean Peters, Iron Mountain Georgia Association of Robyn Garrett-Gunnoe
Newport Academy
Rapid Recovery and Jean Frank CSBs Rollins & Van Lear, PC
Restoration Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream Sandra &Patricia
FreddyKraemer
Maynard
Georgia Aquarium
Community Friendship JetBlue Sue Smith up FFCMH
Pins
Georgia Council on
Comprehensive Health Johnetta Huckeba RemeStraeten
Sara Vander Rodriguez
Substance Abuse
Management Joseph and Kathleen SpectrumRitz-Carlton Hotel
Entertainment
Georgians for a
Cynthia Wainscott Zolkowski The Atlanta Falcons
Robyn Garrett-Gunnoe
Daniel Crimmins Judy Fitzgerald & Tim Gould The Fox Theater

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Georgia Parent Support Network, Inc.

1381 Metropolitan Parkway

Atlanta, GA 30310

Phone: 404-758-4500
Toll-Free: 844-278-6945
Fax: 404-758-6833

Email: info@gpsn.org
www.gpsn.org