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This week, we are excited to shine a light on Helping Mamas, a remarkable nonprofit organization here in Georgia dedicated to connecting essential baby supplies to families in need. From diapers and wipes to car seats and strollers, Helping Mamas plays a critical role in ensuring every child has the basics for a healthy start in life. Joining us to talk about Helping Mamas is Jamie Lackey, Founder and CEO, Laura Wagner, Executive Director of our Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, and Quandra Obi, Special Assistant to Commissioner Jacobs and a member of the leadership team that raised the most money for our recent $5,000 donation to Helping Mamas. 

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Some Georgia high school students are getting a jump start on their careers in early childhood education by taking classes on the subject as early as high school. For example, Maxwell High School of Technology in Gwinnett County offers early childhood education offerings that include a fully operational Georgia’s Pre-K Program classroom.  Joining us to talk about the program is Karey McFall, an Early Childhood Education Instructor, along with Laurynn Martin, a paraprofessional and former student at the program, plus current students Aubrey Hoyt and Justin Davilla Mora. And Rokeya Stone is a Georgia’s Pre-K Program Specialist who works with the team at Maxwell High School of Technology. 

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This week we’re excited to talk with the talented college interns who joined us during the 2025 fall semester and learn more about the projects they tackled, and the valuable lessons learned along the way.  We are proud to introduce Ariana Banhan from Georgia Tech, Christine Bonaparte from Emory University, Jaida Hayes from Clayton State University, Kiersten Harris from Georgia Military College, Nava Pidugu from Georgia State University, and Zeniya Lukonde from Spelman College. Also joining us is Mark Dock, Senior Manager of Human Resources here at DECAL. 

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This week an insightful conversation with Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs as she shares updates on early childhood education, key initiatives shaping the future of Georgia’s youngest learners, and what’s ahead for families and providers. In this candid discussion, Commissioner Jacobs answers listener questions, highlights recent accomplishments, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how DECAL is working to support quality care and education across the state. 

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Today a special episode of DECAL Download coming to you from Brunswick, Georgia…the site of a recent media event announcing the launch of Chop, Look & Listen, our new statewide campaign to prevent children from choking during meal times at child care, at home, or anywhere. Joining us today to talk about Chop, Look and Listen is State Rep Dr. Rick Townsend who represents this area in the Georgia General Assembly and Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner for Child Care Services.  

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On this week’s episode, we’re taking you outside the studio to Seven Branches Academy in Alpharetta, Georgia, where October 28 we held the first of two Chop Look Listen events. This groundbreaking statewide initiative is all about keeping our youngest learners safe from one of the most preventable risks in child care: choking. Every year, thousands of children nationwide are treated for choking incidents, often caused by food, small toys, or everyday objects. These numbers remind us just how important it is for parents, caregivers, and educators to stay vigilant and informed.

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For many kids across Georgia, summer vacation means more fun and free time. But for kids facing food insecurity, made worse by COVID’s impact on already tight-family budgets, no school can also mean limited access to affordable, nutritious foods.  That's where Happy Helpings comes in…it’s the summer food service program funded by USDA and administered by DECAL. Joining us today with an update on Happy Helpings Georgia is Cindy Kicklighter, Nutrition Marketing and Outreach Manager, and Joann Kilpatrick, Marketing and Outreach Specialist. 

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This week we’re introducing a new feature on DECAL Download called Small Wonders.  Partnering with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Small Wonders will bring you trusted expert advice on raising young children from birth to age five. Joining us for this first installment of Small Wonders is Dr. Nicola Chin, a pediatrician here in metro Atlanta. Dr. Chin is a native of Jamaica, West Indies. She attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology for her undergraduate studies and received her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine. She has practiced for the last twenty years in the Atlanta area and currently works with Morehouse Medicine at East Point/ Morehouse School of Medicine. 

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Meals and snacks can be dangerous. Choking accidents remain a leading cause of injury and even death among young children both in child care settings and at home.  In 2024, Georgia suffered two incidents where toddlers in child care choked while eating fruit and later died…one in Brunswick and one in Alpharetta. In response to those tragedies, DECAL has created a new campaign to equip caregivers, educators, and parents with practical tools and strategies to keep children safe.  It’s called Chop, Look & Listen. Joining us to discuss the new campaign is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner for Child Care Services, and Candice Gilbert, CCS Training and Communications Manager. 

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On September 30, DECAL named our new Georgia Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year for the 2025-2026 school year with surprise visits to their classrooms.  We were thrilled to spotlight two remarkable educators who have shown exceptional commitment and passion for early childhood education and today we get to meet them both personally. Joining us are your new Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year for 2025-2026, Autumn Hart from Bundle of Joy Academy in Marietta, representing private schools, and Teresa Swaim from West Jackson Elementary School in Hoschton, representing public schools. Also, Devon Porter, Summer Transition Program and Outreach Manager. 

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