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July 17, 2025 –
The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (Georgia Partnership) today released Creating Student Support Systems to Improve Learning, the second case study from its broader CARES Impact Study. This multi-year research project examines how Georgia districts used federal COVID-19 relief funds to support student learning and well-being.
The case study features Dublin City Schools, Hall County Schools, and Henry County Schools. It highlights how these districts are responding to rising mental health challenges among students. District leaders describe students experiencing anxiety, depression, and the impacts of trauma and family instability, with needs that existed before the pandemic and have intensified in its aftermath.
In response, each district developed integrated student support systems designed to improve student well-being and academic outcomes. While each district’s strategy is unique, they share five essential components:
- Committed leadership
- A systems approach to student wellness
- Enhanced district capacity
- Increased educator knowledge
- Strategic use of external funding
“Georgia students are bringing serious mental health needs into the classroom, and districts are responding,” said Georgia Partnership President/CEO, Dr. Dana Rickman. “These three districts are showing that schools can improve both academic outcomes and student well-being when they invest in comprehensive support systems.”