ISDD COVID-19 RESPONSE:
We continue to provide services and support during this uncertain time. To ensure the safety of our staff and clients, we are following guidelines and precautions as recommended by the CDC.
Empower, educate and equip kinship caregivers of disadvantaged children in Metro Atlanta.



ISDD
is the recipient of the
2013 Martin Luther King Jr Award
for Community Service
from Emory University Goizueta School of Busines and the Rollins School of Public Health.
ISDD is dedicated to empowering, educating and equipping kinship caregivers of disadvantaged children in Metro Atlanta.
We accomplish this mission through:
Community Service & Support
Project GRANDD
Provide programs that reduce the impact of social and economic disadvantage on the health, growth and development of children. Assist caregivers to understand the needs of their relative children and help them to assure optimal health, development and education.
History
In 2004, a committed group of health professionals and educators founded the Institute for the Study of Disadvantage and Disability (ISDD) to address the connection between social and economic disadvantage and the prevalence of developmental disabilities, and to improve access to services for children and families. In the fall of 2012, ISDD changed its name to Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage & Disability to reflect the scope of its programming.
With the support of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, ISDD engaged in a professionally led strategic planning process in 2017. As a result, ISDD has focused on its two core programs, Healthcare Without Walls and Project GRANDD, with plans to replicate and expand both to serve more families.
Our programs support our vision to help children with disabilities living in socially and economically disadvantaged circumstances to gain access to the medical and support services needed to lead healthier, more fulfilling and productive lives. ISDD embraces a multipronged approach that includes prevention by intervening in strategic areas and improving access to services for children and families from low income, underserved and predominantly minority communities. Each year ISDD serves more than 600 children, parents and grandparents through our programming.
Awards
2022 - United Way of Greater Atlanta Gwinnett Spark Prize for improving economic stability, strong learners and racial equity
2021 - Brookdale Foundation Grandfamilies Award for outstanding contributions to the field of grandparents and other relatives raising children from Generations United
2013 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award from the Rollins School of Public Health and the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
Board of Directors
Tonya Holody, MBA, Chair
Breanne West, Vice-Chair
Matthew Sales, Secretary
Jacob Rumery, Treasurer
Lauren Caldwell
Nichelle Mitchem
Jessica Nix
Jacqueline "Jacki" L Payne
Matthew Sales
Macie Thompson
Makina Wallace
Staff Members