Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

07/22/2026

Great work by our partners with Mercer University! Expanding dental care for the IDD community remains a priority for us, and we’re grateful Middle Georgia has access to these services.

Finding a dentist who understands the unique needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) isn't always easy. At the Mercer Center for IDD Care, we're changing that. Through our partnership with the The Dental College of Georgia, we offer compassionate, sensory-friendly dental care designed specifically for adults with IDD. Learn more on our website, linked in the comments.

07/21/2026

🌟Congratulations to Maxwell Ruppersburg, Director of the Office of Supportive Housing for DBHDD, on being elected to serve as Chair for the Balance of State Continuum of Care Board. Serving 152 of Georgia's counties, the program promotes access to and utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families, and optimizes self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

You can learn more about Georgia's Balance of State Continuum of Care here: https://dca.georgia.gov/affordable-housing/homelessness-assistance/georgia-balance-state-continuum-care

07/20/2026

🌟Join the DBHDD team!

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven executive to serve as the Executive Director of the Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

Learn more and apply today: https://careers.georgia.gov/executive-director-division-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities

07/16/2026

Today, we celebrate four years of the 988 Lifeline and the thousands of Georgians who have found hope and support through a simple three-digit number.

In 2025 alone, our state had more than 350,000 calls, texts, and chats answered by Georgia's 988 Lifeline call takers. This led to more than 50,000 referrals for individuals needing crisis services and treatment.

Now, we're averaging 1,000 conversations every day with someone seeking help.

When additional support is needed, Georgia's behavioral health crisis system is ready. Mobile crisis response teams now average 1,700 dispatches each month, and our growing network of Behavioral Health Crisis Centers provides care close to home.

Thanks to the continued support of Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia is continuing to strengthen this lifesaving system with more than $5 million in FY 2027 funding for 988 and mobile crisis services.

Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988. Chat at www.988lifeline.org.

07/16/2026

Georgia Pines Community Service Board received funding through a grant from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust for their new Health Outreach and Peer Engagement (HOPE) van, a mobile unit dedicated to connecting community members to mental health services and resources in South Georgia.

🔗Watch here to learn more about how this Georgia CSB is meeting people where they are:

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07/15/2026

The Engage Now Georgia! Project is designed to expand capacity to support employment and community life engagement in Georgia for people with developmental disabilities. This initiative will allow six Community Access Service Providers an opportunity to receive intensive technical assistance and support for 18 months (September 2026 - March 2028) through regular training, consulting, and access to resources to support employment and community outcomes.

Submit your application: https://umassboston.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e2NUeSaICwf6rEW
Deadline: August 10, 2026 at 5:00PM
Questions about this project? Email [email protected]

This project is funded by Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Partners include University of Georgia, David Ralston Institute for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Center on Human Development and Disability (UGA), the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston (ICI), and the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS).

07/15/2026

🌟Congratulations to Brenda Woodard, General Counsel for DBHDD, for being selected to serve on the State Bar of Georgia’s Children and the Courts Committee. Slated to serve through 2027, Brenda’s role in the committee will be to consider the interests of children in the judicial system. The committee is responsible for developing proposals for reform of the law governing juveniles, and providing advice and expertise to the Bar’s Executive Committee and the Board of Governors.

You can learn more about Woodard and her role with DBHDD here: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/brenda-woodard.

07/14/2026

More than four decades of service. One commitment to Georgia.

We're proud to recognize three dedicated team members who have spent at least 40 years with the State of Georgia:

👏 Christine Chapple
👏 Debbie Sanders
👏 David Trawick

These three team members reflect the compassionate, mission-driven people who make DBHDD's hospital system such a special place to work. When employees choose to build careers spanning 40+ years, it speaks volumes about the culture and impact of DBHDD's work.

Congratulations, Christine, Debbie and David, and thank you for your decades of service to the State of Georgia.💙

07/08/2026

🌟 Last month, Kimberly Dempsey and Robert Johnson from the DBHDD Region 2 Field Office were proud to participate in the The LiveWell Twiggs & Family Connections Community Health Fair in Twiggs County.

The event provided a wonderful opportunity to
✅Connect with community members
✅Share information about behavioral health and developmental disability services
✅ Promote awareness of available resources across the region.

Thanks to the organizers, community partners, and everyone who stopped by our table to engage in meaningful conversations about health, wellness, and recovery. Together, we are building healthier communities and promoting hope, recovery, and resilience throughout Region 2.

06/29/2026

Our partners with the UGA Ralston Institute, led by Dr. Orion Mowbray, have developed the Georgia Behavioral Health Professions Hub to introduce students to professions and career pathways in behavioral health. Georgia's behavioral health workforce shortage won't be solved by awareness alone. It takes clear pathways, accessible information, and tools that connect people to opportunity.

By helping Georgians discover where their skills can make a difference, we're building the workforce needed to expand access to care in every corner of the state. Every future counselor, peer specialist, psychologist, social worker, and psychiatrist starts with a first step. This dashboard helps light the way.

Nearly all of Georgia is designated as a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), highlighting the state’s critical need for a stronger behavioral health workforce. To help address this challenge, the UGA Ralston Institute for Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities created the Georgia Behavioral Health Professions Hub to introduce students and job seekers to behavioral health career pathways and the opportunities available across the state.

The hub is a comprehensive, Georgia-specific resource for individuals interested in behavioral health careers and includes salary expectations, education and licensing requirements, career pathways and workforce information for a variety of careers.

To learn more about the Georgia Behavioral Health Professions Hub, visit the link below! 🔗