Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

04/06/2026

Today, DBHDD kicked off the newly revamped Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training! Thank you, Georgia Tech Police Department, for hosting our first class using our new curriculum.

This special “vetting class” brings together seasoned CIT instructors from across the state to review and provide feedback on our newly developed curriculum. Their expertise is helping us strengthen and refine training that supports law enforcement and improves outcomes for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

We’re grateful for their time, insight, and continued commitment to advancing CIT efforts across Georgia.

03/30/2026

Last week, Region 4 staff proudly represented DBHDD at the Albany State University Career and Resource Fair.

As part of our ongoing workforce development efforts, events like these help connect passionate individuals with meaningful careers supporting Georgia’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services. To learn more about DBHDD careers, visit: https://careers.dbhdd.ga.gov/

Pictured from left to right: Region 4 SOAR Specialist Tanya Welch and State Services Coordinator Tonya Wright.

Thank you to Albany State University for hosting a great event and for the opportunity to engage with students and community members about joining this important work.

03/18/2026

On March 17th, Region 4 CYF Specialist Todd Jones, and State Services Coordinators Tonya Wright and Karen Fenton represented DBHDD at the Tift County High School Transition Fair. Region 4 BH and IDD staff collaborate regularly on representing the department at community events.

02/27/2026

🌟STAFF SPOTLIGHT 🌟

We are proud to spotlight William Gable, Fleet Manager for the Fleet Management division. Since joining DBHDD in April 2025, William has worked diligently to build a comprehensive framework for managing the department's fleet.

These efforts have earned DBHDD its first Tier 1 ranking from DOAS since 2020 and exemplifies the continued commitment of operational excellence and strong stewardship of state resources.

Join us in congratulating William on this significant achievement!

02/25/2026

DBHDD is proud to announce the opening of Operation New Hope at West Central Georgia Regional Hospital in Columbus. This new 30-bed unit supports individuals in the forensic system by providing structured treatment, along with vocational and life-skills training, to help residents prepare for successful community reintegration.

We extend our sincere thanks to the leadership and staff of West Central Georgia Regional Hospital for their dedication, collaboration, and tireless work in bringing this important program to life.

Early outcomes from Operation New Hope sites in Savannah and Milledgeville indicate promising results. In 2025, Operation New Hope sites served 43 individuals and discharged five into community programs, freeing inpatient beds for others awaiting placement across two campuses.

Each Operation New Hope bed also plays a vital role in addressing Georgia’s forensic backlog. By transitioning appropriate individuals into step-down settings, critical hospital capacity becomes available for individuals currently waiting in jails for court-ordered forensic psychiatric care.

This expansion represents continued progress toward strengthening Georgia’s behavioral health system, improving patient outcomes, and creating safer pathways back to the community.

02/20/2026

Congratulations, Commissioner Kevin Tanner! So well deserved. We are immensely grateful for your leadership.

Congratulations to Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Kevin Tanner, recipient of the 2026 FACS Appreciation Award! This award is given to an individual or organization that has contributed significantly to the support of the college.

Commissioner Tanner is a champion for behavioral health and disability services whose leadership has advanced statewide reform and expanded critical supports for Georgia families.

🏆Join us in celebrating all our incredible honorees at the 47th annual FACS Alumni Awards. Register now: gail.uga.edu/events/facs/47th-alumni-awards

02/20/2026

See y’all next week!!! 👀

Join us for the 2nd Annual Co-Responder Teams Professional Development Conference, February 25 – 27, 2026. Hosted by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Office of Adult Mental Health.

This year’s theme is: Many Roles, One Goal. Collaborating for Care, Committed to Change.

Feb 25: Pre-Conference G-PACT Training (Invitation Only)
Feb 26 & 27: Conference Days

Hilton Peachtree City Atlanta Hotel & Conference Center
2443 GA-54, Peachtree City, GA 30269

Register for the conference at: https://dbhdd.cventevents.com/coresponderteams2026

02/20/2026

On February 11, 2026, Judge Eleanor L. Ross of the Northern District of Georgia signed an order terminating all remaining behavioral health provisions of Georgia’s Olmstead Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, releasing the State from approximately 60 provisions and ending federal monitoring in this area.

For 16 years, Georgia has made sustained investments to expand community-based services, crisis care, supported housing and recovery-oriented programs.

Commissioner Kevin Tanner credited this achievement to the leadership and investment of Gov. Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly, along with the unwavering dedication of DBHDD staff, providers and partners across the state.

While this chapter closes, our work continues. All behavioral health provisions will be replaced by one requirement to provide housing to 541 individuals. The Governor’s FY 2027 budget proposal lays the groundwork to fulfilling the new requirement.

Learn more about this historic milestone and what’s ahead: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-02-18/georgia-reaches-historic-milestone-olmsteaddoj-settlement-agreement

02/07/2026

Good morning, Dawson County!

We’re so happy to be in your community today at the Dawson Rotary Health Fair.

Sheree Ralston, our Community Outreach Manager, is ready to tell you all about DBHDD’s services. Come swing by and learn more about how we’re serving the North Georgia area.

When: TODAY 2/7 until 2 pm
Where: Local Church Dawson, 31 Successful Way in Dawsonville

02/05/2026

🌟Congratulations to Ashleigh Caseman, Director of the Office of Medicaid Coordination and Health Systems Innovation at DBHDD, on being appointed to the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) by the Georgia Department of Community Health.

Ashleigh is highly experienced in state and federal Medicaid policy and will be a crucial voice on the committee.

This collaborative group will:
✅provide input on Medicaid health policy
✅cultivate a better understanding among providers, payers and consumers
✅partner with DCH to promote enhanced delivery of health care to Medicaid members

To learn more about the MAC, visit https://dch.georgia.gov/providers/medicaid-advisory-committee

01/30/2026

🌟Earlier this week, Allen Morgan - Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Field Operations North - joined River Edge Behavioral Health for their grand opening of the new Adult Peer Support and Community Integration Center.

We are proud to see how River Edge is developing new high-quality community-based services across Georgia!

01/29/2026

Join us for the 2nd Annual Co-Responder Teams Professional Development Conference, February 25 – 27, 2026. Hosted by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Office of Adult Mental Health.

This year’s theme is: Many Roles, One Goal. Collaborating for Care, Committed to Change.

Feb 25: Pre-Conference G-PACT Training (Invitation Only)
Feb 26 & 27: Conference Days

Hilton Peachtree City Atlanta Hotel & Conference Center
2443 GA-54, Peachtree City, GA 30269

Register for the conference at: https://dbhdd.cventevents.com/coresponderteams2026