Key Points

The 2025 annual report for the Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program confirms the big impact the workshops are having on children, families, and communities across Georgia. GCO collaborated with the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Georgia to prepare the report. It offers strong data for measuring and understanding the outcomes for both parents and children.

RHCK is a workshop offered by GCO in partnership with local organizations. It’s designed to give families the tools, confidence, and support to raise healthy, responsible, caring kids.

During GCO’s RHCK sessions, participants learn about the 40 Developmental Assets, which were identified by the Search Institute. The assets are the essential qualities and experiences that enable kids to become well-rounded, resilient adults. 

GCO and its partners offered 15 RHCK workshops at 12 locations in 2025. Participants took pre- and post-workshop surveys that illustrated the ways families had grown stronger throughout the program. Almost everyone who took the post-workshop survey (99%) said they’d learned new parenting skills, and all the participants shared that they’d found ways to encourage the development of the assets in their children. 

When parents answered open-ended questions about their experiences with RHCK, they drove home some of the lessons they’d learned:

“Better appreciation for how parenting affects overall outcome, not just of individual children but the family and community as a whole.” 

“Everything in life revolves around morality, and this is so important in feeling that you matter and have purpose.” 

“Fostering empathy and friendship skills are super important for a child to thrive in the world today.” 

These quotes reflect workshop discussions related to two Developmental Asset categories in particular: Positive Values and Social Competencies. Parents saw some of the biggest transformations in their kids in these areas. 

The assets in the Positive Values and Social Competencies categories empower children to build the confidence to engage with others in meaningful ways. By increasing their parenting skills in these categories, RHCK participants opened doors to opportunities for their kids to cultivate a robust, supportive community and a rewarding life for themselves as they grow up.

Parents in our Spring 2026 Raising Highly Capable Kids cohort gather for a session to learn how their personalities and their pasts shape their parenting journeys. 

Instilling Positive Values in Children

During GCO’s RHCK workshops, participants learned the importance of making sure their kids possess the positive values that are vital for building strong character, fostering empathy and kindness, and becoming responsible citizens. Key examples of the assets in the Positive Values category include:

• Caring: Parents support their child in developing a heart for helping others.
• Equality and Social Justice: Parents teach children the importance of treating others equally and finding ways to lend a hand to those in need.
• Integrity: Parents guide children to stand up for their beliefs.
• Honesty: Parents encourage kids to always tell the truth.
• Responsibility: Parents teach children to accept responsibility for their behavior.

In the post-workshop survey responses, 96% of participants said they’d increased their knowledge and parenting skills in the Positive Values asset category to a medium or large extent. By helping their children grow in these areas, parents are equipping them to follow foundational guiding principles.

Ensuring Kids Are Socially Competent

RHCK participants also learned about the powerful role social competence can play in forming relationships. The assets in the Social Competencies category reflect children’s ability to handle social interactions effectively, even potentially negative ones. These assets include:

• Planning and Decision-Making: Parents help children plan ahead and make good choices.
• Interpersonal Competence: Parents make sure their kids care about other people’s feelings, enjoy making friends, and learn skills to manage anger.
• Cultural Competence: Parents teach children how to form relationships with people of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and how to be comfortable with their own identity.
• Resistance Skills: Parents encourage children to resist negative peer pressure. 
• Peaceful Conflict Resolution: Parents teach their kids positive ways to resolve conflicts.

In the post-workshop survey responses, 95% of participants said they’d increased their knowledge and parenting skills in the Social Competencies asset category to a medium or large extent. When parents help their children develop these assets, kids can better evaluate situations, understand people’s emotions, and behave appropriately around others.

“We have a common denominator of wanting the best for our children and making sure that we are intentional about providing them every opportunity, surrounding them with great people who love and support them, who will push them, making sure not only that they excel academically, but socially in the community, and just being aware that they have what they need inside already to be successful.”

— Jackie, Houston County parent and RHCK participant 

Empowering Young People to Build Community

Positive values and social competencies are closely linked. In fact, good values help set the stage for children to become socially competent. And these assets are invaluable for children’s futures. 

Having a high level of social competence enables young people to succeed academically, actively engage with others, and enjoy a strong sense of self-esteem and well-being. These outcomes then increase the likelihood that children will graduate from high school, find meaningful work as adults, experience lifelong resilience, and thrive.

Above all, positive values and social competencies make it possible for kids to form supportive relationships and build vibrant communities. They’ll be well prepared to pay attention to people’s needs and to lend a helping hand to others. And through these connections, they’ll flourish—even as they pave the way for others to grow and blossom, too.

Learn More

If you’re interested in getting the tools and support to raise healthy, responsible, caring children, please visit GCO’s Raising Highly Capable Kids webpage.

Key Points

Shaneika Murphy felt nervous about the big transitions she was facing in 2024. Her two sons were starting middle school and high school—a new phase of life for everyone in the family. And Shaneika found herself asking, “How do we navigate this?”

Shaneika is a behavioral therapist, so she had worked with other children who struggle with challenges. But as a parent, she was anxious about how to help her teenage sons develop healthy behaviors and relationships. “Middle school, it’s a whole different thing,” she said. “Right when you think you’ve got the parenting skills down and everything—oh, we’re good, we’re communicating—and then boom, they’re in middle school.”

Shaneika started looking for opportunities to learn how to better connect and communicate with her children. Through a school newsletter, she found out about the Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program, a workshop offered by the Georgia Center for Opportunity in partnership with local organizations. RHCK is designed to give families the tools, confidence, and support to raise healthy, responsible, caring kids. 

Excited about the chance to enhance her parenting skills, Shaneika enrolled in the fall 2024 RHCK cohort offered by the Lamar County Family Connection Collaborative. She found the program so rewarding that she participated again in the spring of 2025.

The support Shaneika and her family received during the RHCK workshops is now rippling outward. Every member of the Murphy family is finding ways to help others thrive. And in doing so, they’re creating a sense of community that’s changing not only their lives, but also the lives of many others.

Empowering Children Through Family Support

The RHCK workshops gave Shaneika the tools she needed to bring stability to her family and to help her children feel supported and equipped to succeed. During the sessions, she learned about the 40 Developmental Assets, which were identified by the Search Institute. The assets are the essential qualities and experiences that enable kids to become well-rounded and resilient adults. 

The Developmental Assets that stood out to Shaneika the most involved the idea of support. Taking what she learned from the sessions, she made sure that her children felt loved and supported at home, where real transformation could begin. “When they’re feeling great, or when they’re not feeling great—there’s things that are bothering them or things that are on their mind—they need to have that safe space within their parents,” Shaneika said.

By helping her children feel safe and supported, Shaneika strengthened the most influential part of their lives—their family—and laid the groundwork for their future growth and development.

Shaneika makes sure to spend quality time with her husband, sons, and nephew—the family she guides and supports.

The support Shaneika and her family received during the RHCK workshops is now rippling outward. Every member of the Murphy family is finding ways to help others thrive. 

Discovering a Supportive Community for Parents

During the RHCK workshops, Shaneika also discovered the invaluable benefits of a meaningful and supportive community among fellow parents. The close relationships that formed during the sessions made a big impression on her. She described the RHCK program as an opportunity for “making community”—and “building a family if you don’t have one.” 

Shaneika and the other parents in the workshop formed deep connections with each other, sharing both their strengths and weaknesses. She felt supported on every level. “I had people that were pushing me to do better, pushing me to be greater and be more excellent, and in other areas besides parenting as well,” she explained. The bonds Shaneika formed with other parents during the workshops continue to uplift her even today.

Evolving from Learning to Leading

While Shaneika was participating in the RHCK workshop, one of the facilitators, Dr. Tonya Moore, noticed how Shaneika’s professional skills as a behavioral therapist helped her support other parents. “I observed Shaneika organically building rapport with the parents. . . . She also displayed an interest in bringing resources to parents,” Tonya explained. 

Drawing on Shaneika’s strengths, Tonya worked with her to develop Parent Café, a prayer and support group that connected parents during and after RHCK workshops. She also started thinking about how Shaneika could continue supporting workshop participants and the broader community by becoming an RHCK facilitator.

When Tonya approached Shaneika about the opportunity, Shaneika was hesitant at first. She didn’t feel very comfortable speaking in front of others. But Tonya gently pushed Shaneika out of her comfort zone, boosting her confidence and encouraging her to take on the new role.

And when Shaneika settled her nerves and became a facilitator in the fall of 2025, she realized she had a passion for it. “It’s one of the more purposeful things that I’ve done,” she reflected. “I look at it as an honor to be able to do that because, in some way, I may be able to help the next generation with something that I’ve said or something that I’ve helped a parent to understand or realize.” 

As a parent, Shaneika had gained so much from the support RHCK offered her, and now she could support the families in her community in return. She was also setting an example for her sons, showing them how to overcome fears and to serve their neighbors in need.

Shaneika serves as an RHCK facilitator in Lamar County, Georgia, where she helps other parents and caregivers find the tools and support they need to build stronger families and communities.

During an RHCK workshop, Shaneika led parents and caregivers in an activity that drove home the importance of teaching children to lean on others for support.

Receiving Support When Times Got Tough

Through her experiences as both an RHCK participant and a facilitator, Shaneika built a strong, supportive community for her family. And when she had a major surgery followed by a long recovery process, that community stepped in to help out. 

One of the RHCK facilitators created a meal train to help the Murphy family, and other facilitators and parents contributed financially and with their prayers. People also regularly stopped by to check on Shaneika’s husband and children, making sure they had everything they needed.

The support system Shaneika had developed was once again wrapping itself around her, and also showing her children the powerful impact a caring community can make.

Inspiring Children to Build Community

To continue supporting her boys as they grow into responsible, thoughtful young men, Shaneika is now helping them develop skills for positive social interactions and active community engagement. 

To serve others, Shaneika’s sons started volunteering with RHCK during the fall of 2025. They read to the younger children while their parents take part in the RHCK workshop. They also help out after each session, putting away supplies and making sure participants get to their cars safely. Volunteering has even sparked an interest in Shaneika’s oldest son in getting a job.

And RHCK participants and facilitators have noticed the good work Shaneika’s sons are doing. The praise the boys receive gives them an extra boost of confidence. “They hear it from me all the time. They hear it from their dad. They’re great. They’re going to be successful,” Shaneika shared. “But when you hear it from someone outside of your circle, it just kind of rings a little bit more.”

Through RHCK, Shaneika also learned about a class that paired young boys with mentors. She enrolled her children, and they’re now thriving in the program. Shaneika’s husband saw the impact of the class on his sons, and he became a mentor through the same program. 

As both parents and role models, Shaneika and her husband want their sons to understand the power of connecting with people so they can not only be supported but also offer support to others. “You want them to be contributing citizens to their community,” Shaneika emphasized.

Continuously Expanding the Circles of Support

Through Shaneika, the waves of support have steadily rolled outward. The RHCK program gave her the tools to support her family through the many ups and downs that middle school and high school can bring. She also built a supportive community to help them flourish. As a facilitator, Shaneika empowered other parents to create stability and community for their families. And now, her whole family is finding ways to serve others. In Shaneika’s words, “It’s just this effect that keeps on going.” 

Above all, the supportive relationships Shaneika has formed and nurtured continue to strengthen both her own family and others who need a community—and, as she described it, “a family away from family.”

Bring the Transformation of RHCK to Your Family and Community 

If you’re interested in getting the tools and support to bring more strength and stability to your family, please visit our Raising Highly Capable Kids page.

The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) is honored to welcome Travis Thorne as the Vice President of Family. Travis will lead GCO’s Family Initiative and shape the future vision of its flagship program, Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK), which is an in-person, 10-week program designed to equip parents and caregivers with practical tools, honest conversations, and confidence to raise healthy, responsible, and caring kids.

Travis brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership, relationship management, and strategic problem-solving. Alongside his corporate career, he has spent many years serving in ministry, leading family and men’s small groups focused on strengthening households through practical guidance around money, marriage, and legacy. A Georgia native who grew up in Jonesboro, Travis combines professional expertise with a deep personal commitment to families across the state.

Travis was drawn to GCO because of its holistic approach to poverty and opportunity. “At GCO, we understand that poverty, especially generational poverty, is about more than income,” Travis shared. “It’s often about fractured relationships and a loss of hope. Strong families are where a sense of purpose, belonging, and connection begins.” That belief closely aligns with GCO’s mission to advance solutions that expand opportunity and help Georgia families build durable paths out of poverty.

GCO selected Travis to lead the Family Initiative because of his unique ability to bridge strategy and relationships. His experience building trusted partnerships in high-performance environments, combined with years of hands-on ministry and family engagement, positions him to lead family-centered work that is both relational and scalable.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Travis to our team to lead our work in strengthening families,” said Eric Cochling, GCO’s Chief Program Officer and General Counsel. “Travis brings a unique mix of professional experience, drive, and a passion for this work that I am confident will take our family-focused initiatives to the next level and allow us to have a much deeper impact in the communities we serve.”

In his role, Travis will focus on empowering parents as the primary leaders in their children’s lives and strengthening parent-child relationships to drive generational change. This includes enhancing and expanding RHCK. Unlike many parenting programs that focus only on parents, RHCK brings families together in cohorts that build social relationships, trust, and connection, especially in communities connected to Title I schools, which serve high numbers of low-income households.

Looking ahead, Travis envisions RHCK growing through strong partnerships with faith-based organizations, schools, and community leaders. “We listen, we learn, and we build alongside families,” he said. His vision is to see RHCK become a trusted, community-anchored model that meets families where they are and creates a lasting impact across generations.

With Travis’s leadership, GCO is excited to expand the reach and success of its Family Initiative.

Hear from Travis on the vision behind GCO’s Family Initiative:

According to a new report from Emory University, ”The State of Child Health and Well-Being in Georgia 2025,” quality of education, mental health, and the effects of social media are top concerns for Georgia parents. 

The report is based on a statewide survey, which asked parents to share what they’re most worried about when it comes to their children’s health, safety, and well-being. The leading issues are not isolated worries. Instead, they are the daily realities shared by Georgia families from a variety of backgrounds and types of communities. 

Parents are most worried about education and school quality 

More Georgia parents cited education and school quality as a top concern than any other issue.

Confidence in schools is slipping across all communities, especially among Black and Hispanic families, who are more likely to rate their local schools as “fair” or “poor.” For 35% of Black parents, education quality was the second highest concern behind gun violence. 

Education is also the top issue across geographic locations: 36% of rural parents and 39% of non-rural parents said it was their highest concern, followed by social media and bullying. 

When it comes to schools, safety is just as much top-of-mind for parents as the quality of education. Overall, 60% of parents surveyed feel that schools are less safe than in the past. They overwhelmingly support measures to improve school safety, including mental health awareness and laws promoting safe firearm storage.

Image: Emory Center for Child Health Policy, “State of Child Health and Well-Being in Georgia 2025“

Mental health concerns are growing

According to the report, as many as 15% of Georgia children have depression, 25% have ADHD, and 31% have anxiety. Some of these children have received an official diagnosis, while others have not—though their parents are concerned about the possibility.

Even more alarming: 63% of kids who have been diagnosed with a mental health condition aren’t yet receiving the care they need.

Georgia parents are trying to respond. Encouragingly, most parents say they feel comfortable talking to their kids about suicide and emotional well-being. 

But access to mental health services remains a major issue. Long waitlists, provider shortages, and geographic barriers keep kids from the help they need—especially in rural areas. These challenges can snowball into higher rates of school dropouts, encounters with the juvenile justice system, substance abuse, and other negative outcomes. 

Social media is fueling anxiety for both parents and kids

Georgia parents are also worried about the impact of digital life on their children’s well-being. Social media ranked among the top three concerns statewide, right alongside bullying and gun violence.

Parents recognize the growing physical and emotional tolls of social media on young people—everything from unrealistic expectations and cyberbullying to struggles with sleep and behavioral regulation. 

The takeaway is clear: families want better tools for managing digital risks—and they need help to set institutional boundaries that protect kids’ mental and emotional health.

The good news is that Georgia lawmakers are recognizing the urgency of this issue. In 2025, Georgia lawmakers passed the Distraction-Free Schools Act (HB 340) to limit cellphone use for K-8 public school students during the school day. Under the bill, phones could be restricted from the start of the school day until the end, ensuring students can fully engage in learning and schools can foster an environment that supports focus and mental well-being. 

Listening to parents is key to moving forward

For policymakers and community leaders, these findings shed light on where Georgia’s families need better solutions and support. Giving families more school choice options, improving school safety and learning environments, and strengthening access to mental health care are all areas where smart policy reforms and community-based efforts can help remove barriers to opportunity, especially for our most vulnerable communities.

Image Credits: Canva, Emory Center for Child Health Policy

Key Points

Parental love enables children to be at their best emotionally, socially, and academically 

But why is this connection so vital? And what does science say about the benefits of parental love? From boosting emotional health to improving academic success, the rewards are more surprising and far-reaching than you might think.

1. Emotional well-being and mental health

A child who feels loved and supported grows up with a strong sense of security and self-worth. This emotional foundation helps children manage stress and develop resilience during difficult times. Research shows that children with strong relationships with their parents are better adjusted emotionally and face fewer mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression.

2. Behavioral regulation

Parental love plays a crucial role in teaching kids how to interact with the world. Through daily interactions, children learn emotional regulation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills. These lessons form the building blocks of self-control and appropriate social behavior, helping children grow into responsible adults.

3. Academic success

Children with engaged parents tend to do better in school. By being involved in their children’s education—whether it’s attending parent-teacher conferences, helping with homework, or simply being a source of encouragement—parents can spark a love of learning. The result? Higher grades, better school attendance, and a more motivated, confident student.

4. Prevention of risky behaviors

Strong parent-child relationships act as protective measures against risky behaviors, including substance abuse, delinquency, and teen pregnancy. When children feel connected to their parents, they’re more likely to seek parental guidance when facing tough decisions, reducing the likelihood of engaging in harmful activities.

Through GCO’s Raising Highly Capable Kids Program, communities can offer parents a safe, supportive place to learn how to nurture loving bonds at home. 

Through GCO’s Raising Highly Capable Kids Program, communities can offer parents a safe, supportive place to learn how to nurture loving bonds at home. 

Empowering parents to strengthen loving relationships is one of the best priorities a community can have

At the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO), we understand the critical role parents play in raising capable, confident kids. Our Raising Highly Capable Kids (RHCK) program focuses on empowering parents by teaching them the 40 Developmental Assets—a research-driven framework that fosters emotional and social growth in children. These assets cover essential aspects like support, empowerment, and positive identity, serving as the foundation for raising resilient kids.

RHCK has benefited parents like Brittany Moore, who found the workshop life-changing. The program provided her with practical tools, a renewed sense of purpose, and the confidence to handle conflicts.

“Parenting is one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs, and there’s no shame in seeking support,” Brittany shared. She emphasizes that RHCK is more than just a workshop—it’s a welcoming community of people who understand the ups and downs of raising children. “You’ll walk away with valuable lessons, practical tools, and a renewed sense of confidence,” she said.

Through RHCK, parents receive tools and strategies to build loving, stable homes. Here’s how it works:

• Workshops and classes: Parents participate in structured sessions that offer guidance on fostering healthy relationships and teaching critical life skills.
  
• Hands-on support: Expert facilitators provide personalized support, helping parents identify areas of growth and build stronger connections with their children.
  
• Community-building: RHCK creates a supportive community where parents can collaborate, share experiences, and learn from one another.

Interested in getting involved with RHCK? 

If you’re ready to grow stronger as a parent and learn how intentional, loving relationships can lead to transformational change in your family, we welcome you to join the RHCK program where you’ll find a safe, supportive environment to access the tools, strategies, and community needed to confidently tackle the ups and downs of parenting.

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