Policy is often viewed as something abstract crafted in government buildings and debated in rooms far from the people it affects. But for Georgia’s children, youth, and families, policy is a powerful tool that determines access, equity, and outcomes. Mindworks Georgia is a champion of thoughtful, responsive policy to create systems that work for the people who need them most. 

At its core, a system of care is about coordination ensuring children and families don’t fall through the cracks because services are fragmented or inaccessible. Policy helps establish: 

• Eligibility and access to services, especially for vulnerable or underserved populations. 
• Funding mechanisms that sustain behavioral health programs and wraparound supports. 
• Standards and accountability to maintain quality, trauma-informed care across the state. 
• Interagency collaboration that breaks down silos between education, child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health. 

Georgia’s children face complex challenges—from mental health needs and trauma exposure to systemic barriers in education and healthcare. Without sound policies in place: 

• Services become reactive instead of proactive. 
• Rural communities lack the support available in metro areas. 
• Families are left to navigate complex systems alone. 

Georgia has shown commitment to evolving its behavioral health system of care through successful implementation of policy. 

• In 2019, the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission (BHRIC) was established to conduct a comprehensive review of the behavioral health system of care in Georgia. The Commission is tasked with reviewing several key focus areas, many of which align with the objectives of Mindworks including behavioral health issues facing children and adolescents, the role of the education system in the identification and treatment of behavioral health issues, workforce shortages that impact the delivery of care, access to behavioral health services and supports and the role of payers in such access. Legislation was passed during the 2025 legislative session to extend the Commission allowing its continued impact.
• In 2022, House Bill 1013, the Mental Health Parity Act, was passed. HB 1013 addressed several key areas needed to strengthen the mental health system in Georgia including enforcing mental health parity, developing the behavioral health workforce, enhancing law enforcement awareness and response to mental health challenges, and building capacity to identify, prevent, and address behavioral health issues. 
• In 2022, the Georgia General Assembly invested in workforce development for child-serving professionals by appropriating funds for a rate study. In 2024, the General Assembly approved an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for behavioral health professionals.
• In 2024, Georgia invested $1m in expanding telehealth for APEX, a school-based mental health program overseen by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. 

By investing in evidence-based policies, we create a strong system where all children can thrive.