Allison is a Senior Wellness Program Coordinator with Strong4Life at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She earned an Education Specialist degree in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University. Allison has provided direct therapy services, training and coaching to well over a thousand families, educators, and early interventionists across more than 60 counties in the state of Georgia. Allison’s current work includes developing and implementing behavioral and mental health prevention initiatives in schools and early childhood settings. Allison’s areas of expertise include program development, positive behavior supports, inclusion, infant and early childhood mental health, and practice-based coaching.

Amanda Gorman is a mother of two, whose personal experiences have fueled her dedication to serving those affected by Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders. As a survivor of postpartum depression and anxiety, Amanda transformed her own challenges into a mission to help other families. Amanda is a childbirth educator, doula, and she also serves as the Program and Policy Manager for Postpartum Support International Georgia Chapter, where she champions the cause of maternal mental health at the policy level, striving to create a more supportive and understanding environment for mothers and families.

Apryl Wallace Bernard is a research associate I at the Georgia Health Policy Center. She has experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis and program evaluation. Her research interests include health disparities, social determinants of health, and health policy. She supports the Center of Excellence for Children’s and Behavioral Health with research and evaluation. Bernard currently works on the Infant Toddler Court Program.

Callan Wells is the Senior Health Policy Manager at GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. GEEARS is a statewide organization committed to lifting up the needs of young children and their families to decision-makers across Georgia. Callan leads GEEARS’ early childhood health policy work.
Callan serves as Policy Advisor to the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health: Birth to Five (GA-AIMH) and co-chairs the Interagency Directors Team’s Prevention and Early Intervention Workgroup. She also serves on the board of Motherhood Beyond Bars.
In 2019, Callan worked with state leaders in the Georgia House of Representatives on the Infant-Toddler Social-Emotional Health Study Committee. In 2021, she received the Black Child Development Institute of Atlanta’s Emerging Leader Award. In 2022, she received the Emerging Leader Award in IECMH Policy from ZERO TO THREE, the Friend of NAMI Award from NAMI-Georgia, and the IECMH Champion of the Year Award from the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health. In 2022, she was also named a ZERO TO THREE Fellow. In 2023, she received the System of Care Academy Individual Merit Award.

The founder and owner of The Early Years Matter, LLC, EveLyn Wedge, is an LPC in private practice in Roswell. Having served on the exploratory founding board of the GA-AIMH, she currently serves on the GA-AIMH Community Advisory Council. She holds an M.S. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Ph.D. in Infant and Early Childhood Development, with a concentration on Reflective Practice and Supervision and an emphasis on Mental Health and Developmental Disorders. EveLyn is an endorsed Infant Family Reflective Supervisor, a facilitator for the Circle of Security Parenting program, and a Certified Infant Massage Parent Educator. Working with children, adults, and families, EveLyn enjoys supporting parents and facilitating healthy relationships in families with infants and young children.

Gereen R. Francis is a school district-level Behavior Interventionist and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) District Coach in Georgia. Gereen’s passion for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) was sparked while working at the Marcus Autism Center, where she served in various clinical roles in the Severe Behavior department and Language and Learning Clinic. At Marcus, Gereen primarily focused on offering in-home parent training for families with children aged 2 to 16.
Driven by her passion for ABA, Gereen pursued a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from Georgia State University. Her commitment to the field expanded as she developed a strong interest in training and coaching early interventionists and educators on effectively supporting children and students with challenging behaviors.
In addition to her work in the school district, Gereen is the founder and owner of Tangerine Behavioral Consulting LLC. Tangerine specializes in providing individual and group parent training and consultation services, while also supervising the fieldwork of trainees working towards BCBA certification.
Gereen was born and raised in St. Croix, US. Virgin Islands, and enjoys tropical weather, relaxing on a beach, and sea turtles. As a mom to a twice-exceptional child, Gereen understands the challenges of maintaining a behavioral approach when challenging behaviors occur. Her advocacy for her son motivates her to continue educating parents, early interventionists, and educators about the practical implementation of ABA and PBIS.

Kathy Brown-Bragg is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Project Director at CHRIS 180 New Generation Infant Early Childhood Mental Health. She is a co-chair of the GA-AIMH Community Advisory Council and a founding member of GA-AIMH. Kathy is a nationally recognized Child Parent Psychotherapy therapist, Circle of Security Facilitator, Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy, IECMH consultant and reflective supervisor. She is passionate about promoting the social-emotional wellness of infants and young children who are most vulnerable in our communities.

Laura Lucas works for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning as the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Director. The role of this position is to create an Early Childhood System of Care with community and state partners to better meet the needs of children's social and emotional health from birth - age 5. Laura has also served as the Young Child Wellness Partner for Project LAUNCH for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Laura worked for DBHDD for over a decade in various roles, including as the Project Director for both Child Adolescent State Infrastructure and Children's Health Insurance Program Re-Authorization Act Grants. Laura also served as the Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visiting Program Administrator for DeKalb County for 10 years. Laura started her career in helping children and families as an in-home Multi-Systemic Child and Family Therapist and Senior Supervisor, helping to retain children in their communities and prevent out-of-home placements. Laura has also worked as a Regional Supervisor for a Therapeutic Foster Care Program. Laura holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Alabama. Laura received a certificate in Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation from Georgetown University in 2023 and was endorsed in Infant Mental Health as a Policy Mentor.

Mitzi Fears is a research associate II for the Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health at the Georgia Health Policy Center. Her areas of expertise include program development and implementation, specifically in the fields of maternal and child health and workforce development. She also has experience in coalition building and health education in the areas of chronic disease prevention and child wellness.

Mitzi’s current project involves providing program coordination of the Georgia Thrive Infant Toddler Court Program (ITCP). The ITCP aims to strengthen the stability and resiliency of families with children ages 0-3 in the child welfare system by providing intensive case management and resources to prevent and address adverse childhood experiences. 

Shelmekia Hodo is a Senior Research Associate for the Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health at the Georgia Health Policy Center. She has dedicated herself to positively impacting the lives of those around her. Her passion for health equity has driven her work for the past 12 years in various roles focused on maternal and child health in underrepresented communities. Shelmekia has a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Clayton State University, a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management from Brenau University, and certification in lactation counseling from the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. With her knowledge and expertise, she is making a real difference in the lives of those she serves. Whether she's organizing events or working to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies, Shelmekia is genuinely making a lasting impact in her community.

Shontel Cargill was born and raised in Waycross, Georgia. Her passion for helping others, commitment to service, and dedication to being a change agent in the community led her to a professional career in mental health. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly a decade of clinical and leadership experience. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia and a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Valdosta State University. She specializes in marriage and family therapy, couples therapy, and maternal mental health. As a survivor, Shontel has a lifetime commitment to being an advocate and mental health provider for mothers and families affected by Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, pregnancy and infant loss, maternal mortality, and birth trauma.