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This week we’re preparing to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Inclusive Early Learning Week, happening all across Georgia February 9-13, just before Valentine's Day. This milestone event honors a decade of commitment to supporting children with disabilities and their families. Joining us to talk about Inclusive Early Learning Week is Katie Hagan, SEEDS Program Director, and Veronia Thomas, Director of Practice and Support Services. From GEEARS, the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, is Research Manager Caitlyn Sanders. And Jennifer Jones is Executive Director of a nonprofit called Apparo Academy in Augusta, an early learning program that supports children with special needs using a unique model. 

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Today, we’re diving into highlights of the annual Media Symposium hosted by the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, held on January 9, 2026. One of the standout sessions was a dynamic panel focused on early learning, featuring Dr. Bentley Ponder, Deputy Commissioner for Quality Innovations and Partnerships, Kristen Bernhard with Primrose Schools, Shawnell Johnson with Promise All Atlanta Children Thrive, and Ellyn Cochran from Quality Care for Children.

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On Monday, January 12, 2026, the Georgia General Assembly continues its 158th session…which began with the 2025 General Assembly in the traditional two-year cycle. It gets pretty busy around the Gold Dome and even here next door at the Twin Towers. From budget battles and education reform to healthcare, transportation, and election law changes, there is a lot going on. Joining us today to preview the session is Polly McKinney, Advocacy Director for Voices for Georgia’s Children and a partner at Lexicon Strategies; Liz Young is Director of Government Relations and Special Projects here at DECAL, Rian Ringsrud is our Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration, and our special guest Greg Bluestein is Chief Political Reporter with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. We will also hear from State Rep Rick Townsend who joined us in Brunswick for a recent podcast on our Chop, Look, Listen campaign and took a moment to do a little legislative prognosticating.  

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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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