DECAL Download

Send us Fan Mail

Summer officially arrives on June 21….many consider it Memorial Day, May 29….either way, temperatures are rising and the danger of a child dying alone in a hot car becomes even more of a threat. For the tenth consecutive year, DECAL is calling for families and caregivers of children to Look Again…and increase awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. Joining us to talk about our annual Look Again campaign, this year May 22-26, is University of Georgia Professor Dr. Andrew Grundstein, a Geographer-Climatologist with interests on the impacts of weather and climate on human health; Rukiya Thomas, CCS Regional Manager; Kesha McNeal, CCS Regional Coordinator; and Lisa Dawson, Director of the Injury Prevention Program within the Division of Health Protection at the Georgia Department of Public Health. 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This year we’re celebrating the 30th year of Georgia’s Pre-K Program and the 10th year of Quality Rated.  Next year marks the 20th year for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and when the agency was created in 2004, the same legislation mandated that the new department have an advisory board to support our work. The board meets quarterly and is composed of 14 members appointed by the Governor, with one member from each of Georgia’s 14 congressional districts. Joining us to talk about the Board of Early Care and Learning are board members Luann Purcell, a charter member since 2006; Susan Harper joined the board in 2009; and current board chair Phil Davis joined the board in 2009. 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

From Athens to Valdosta and many places in-between, DECAL has awarded 18 Community Transformation Grants…ranging from $50,000 to $125,000…to community collaboratives serving children birth to eight and their families. We’ve also extended funding to eight grantees who received these grants in 2021. Joining us this week to discuss Community Transformation Grants is Jill OMeara, Manager of Community Partnerships and Projects, and Dr. Bentley Ponder, Deputy Commissioner for Quality Innovations and Partnerships.  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

For the third year in a row, DECAL will celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week in Georgia May 1-5, 2023 .  Similar to Georgia’s Pre-K Week and Inclusive Early Learning Week, this special week in May reminds us that the early years in a child’s life provide a key opportunity to establish safe and secure relationships and support healthy social and emotional development. Joining us to talk about Children’s Mental Health Week on the podcast today from DECAL’s Pre-K and Instructional Support Division, we have Laura Lucas, our Director of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health; Lori Ballew, Infant Toddler Specialist; Perri Walden, Pre-K Specialist; and Esther Duggan, Inclusion and Behavior Support Specialist. 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Starting March 20, our Child Care Services Division began offering Health and Safety Grants to open and operating, licensed child care centers and family child care learning homes in Georgia to purchase equipment and materials that will help support compliance  with health and safety regulations. There’s a total of $80 million from the American Rescue Act, with programs receiving from $5,000 to $40,000 based on capacity. Joining us to talk about Health and Safety Grants from DECAL is Jennifer Bridgeman, CCS Director of Process and Policy Initiatives, and Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services.  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Important news this week for any Georgia child care program that serves school-age children or has served school-age children in the past year. You may remember receiving an e-mail about DECAL’s School-Age Grants, financial support based on your program’s licensed capacity. Joining us to talk about School-Age Grants is Michelle Garris, School Age and Youth Programs Specialist; Brittany Sams, CCS Director of Administrative Services and Special Operations; and Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services.  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Last month, the Georgia Chamber hosted its third annual Georgia Summit, this year focused entirely on talent development.  The event was held at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and included discussions around talent and workforce development at every stage of the pipeline. Commissioner Jacobs was invited to serve on a panel discussing early childhood education, joined by Mindy Binderman, Executive Director of GEEARS; Kelli Henderson, HR Vice President with AFLAC Total Rewards; and Daniela Perry, Vice President of the Georgia Chamber Foundation.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Sheryl Young-Wilhite has served as a Senior Human Resources Director here at DECAL responsible for recruitment, employee relations, and training. You might remember recently hearing from Robin Stevens here on the podcast as she planned for retirement, beginning March 1, after being our first Human Resources Director and serving 11 years. Also March 1, Sheryl became our new Human Resources Director. Today we learn more about her and finding a career at DECAL and state government.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families is a big responsibility for one state agency…that’s why we appreciate so much the early childhood advocates we work with on a daily basis.  One of those advocates is Quality Care for Children. They have been operating since 1979 with offices in Atlanta, Athens, and Cartersville…a team of over 100 people and a budget of $15 million.  Joining us to talk about the work of Quality Care for Children is Ellyn Cochran, the new president and CEO.  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families is a big responsibility for one state agency…that’s why we appreciate so much the early childhood advocates we work with on a daily basis.  One of those advocates that helps us enhance early care and education for children and their families is Voices for Georgia’s Children, a nonprofit child policy and advocacy organization advancing laws, policies, and actions that improve the lives of Georgia’s children. Today we’re talking with the new Voices Executive Director Dr. Caitlin McMunn Dooley. 

Support the show