our story

supporting kids. empowering kin.

Atlas Alliance supports grandparents, relatives, and family friends raising children during times of crisis, loss, or instability. We help kinship caregivers build safe, stable homes so children can remain connected to family and community. 

Thousands of children in Metro Atlanta are being raised by relatives or close family friends due to trauma, parental substance abuse, incarceration, illness, or other family challenges. Many caregivers receive little formal support, yet provide the love and stability children need to thrive. 

Since 2004, Atlas Alliance has provided guidance, advocacy, education, and practical support to strengthen families and keep children out of foster care. 

Group of seven young people and an adult woman standing inside an indoor trampoline park, smiling for the camera.
An elderly man and an elderly woman sitting with a young girl, reading a colorful book together indoors near a window with natural light.

mission

Atlas Alliance keeps children with family and out of foster care by empowering caregivers with the support, education, and resources needed to build safe, stable, and loving homes. 

vision

A community where every child grows up surrounded by family, stability, and love.

our story

Two people with dark skin in close-up with foreheads touching and eyes closed, one older man with gray hair and beard, and a woman with braided hair with red accents, both wearing necklaces, outdoors with blurred background.

Founded in 2004 as the Institute for Study of Disadvantage and Disability and later as Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage & Disability (ISDD), the organization evolved to focus on kinship families—some of the most underserved families in our community.  The agency developed Project GRANND -Grandparents Raising And Nurturing Dependents with Disabilities in 2014 to provide supportive services to relatives raising grandchildren or other relative children with developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions and learning and behavior disorders.

Today, Atlas Alliance continues that mission with a stronger, unified vision for supporting children and caregivers across Metro Atlanta. 

The name Atlas reflects the strength carried by kinship caregivers every day. Atlas Alliance comes alongside families with compassionate support and practical solutions to help children remain safe, connected, and loved. 

awards & recognition

Exemplary Program Status (2024) — Recognized by the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network for excellence in kinship support services.

Beverly Littlefield Award (2024) — Honored by Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services for contributions to Georgia’s aging network.

Spark Prize (2022)— Awarded by United Way of Greater Atlanta for advancing economic stability and educational outcomes.

Brookdale Foundation Grandfamilies Award (2021) — Recognized by Generations United for outstanding support of grandparents and relatives raising children. 

A small golden trophy with two handles sits on a black base against a plain light background.

who we serve

Atlas Alliance serves kinship caregivers - including grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, and close family friends raising children throughout Metro Atlanta. In Metro Atlanta, it is estimated that close to 40,000 households are led by grandparents often without access to the formal and financial supports available to foster parents. More than 80% of those we serve are grandparents, many living on fixed incomes while unexpectedly parenting again later in life. 

Families often face housing instability, financial hardship, legal and educational challenges, trauma, and limited access to healthcare and resources. Many of the children already traumatized by family separation, have chronic conditions and disabilities related to neglect or abuse.

A happy older man with gray hair and a beard, an older woman with gray hair, and a young girl with curly hair, all sitting on a couch and smiling. The woman appears to be talking to the girl.

service area

 11 Counties of the Atlanta Regional Commission

Map of Fulton County, Georgia, showing various districts labeled Cherokee, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Clayton, Fulton, Fayette, Henry, and Rockdale with borders outlined in white and a beige background at the bottom.
Map of Fulton County, Georgia, showing various districts labeled Cherokee, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Clayton, Fulton, Fayette, Henry, and Rockdale with borders outlined in white and a beige background at the bottom.

  • Cherokee

  • Clayton

  • Cobb

  • Dekalb

  • Douglas

  • Fayette

  • Forsyth

  • Fulton

  • Gwinnett

  • Henry

  • Rockdale

why our work matters

We are the only agency in metro Atlanta that focuses solely on kinship care.  Children do better when they can safely remain with family and community. Kinship care reduces trauma, strengthens emotional well-being, and creates greater stability for children. Atlas Alliance empowers caregivers with the support and resources needed so children can remain where they belong—with family.