Mitzi Fears is a senior research associate for the Center of Excellence for Children’s Behavioral Health at the Georgia Health Policy Center. Her areas of expertise include program development and implementation, specifically in the fields of maternal and child health and workforce development. She also has experience in coalition building and health education in the areas of chronic disease prevention and child wellness.

Mitzi currently serves as project lead for the Georgia Strong Family Healthy Start Program, which aims to improve early childhood and family outcomes for families in eight counties with high rates of infant and maternal mortality.  Mitzi also serves as the project lead for the ReNewed HOPE CAPTA Program.  This state funded program focuses on improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and infants affected by prenatal substance exposure by strengthening assessment, care coordination, and family supports.