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Georgia youth are returning to school either virtually or in an environment that is drastically different from the one they left in March. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, our kids were already facing a mental health crisis – one that is now exacerbated by these uncertain times. Voices for Georgia’s Children is partnering with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to raise awareness about youth mental health in a campaign called “Free Your Feels.”

Joining us to talk about “Free Your Feels” and the importance of children exploring their true feelings is Dr. Erica Fener-Sitkoff, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children, and Layla Fitzgerald, Program Manager of the Office of Children, Young Adults, and Families with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.  

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With the deadline to respond to Census 2020 rapidly approaching, participation is extremely important. The results will be felt by Georgians for the next ten years.  At stake are billions of dollars used for education, public health, infrastructure, and other related areas. The process is quick, easy, and confidential but most importantly it is making sure that everyone counts. 

Joining us to talk about the 2020 Census and how Georgia is doing are the co-chairs of the Georgia Complete Count Committee Anna Wrigley-Miller, director of planning, evaluation, research, and communications with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, and Rusty Haygood, Deputy Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.  Also joining us is Jessie Bruno, Research and Policy Analyst here at DECAL, who has been working with the Complete Count Committee.

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From smiling and taking those first steps, to waving bye-bye and even temper tantrums, starting this month, we’ve got a new resource for families to track the developmental milestones of their children.  Joining us to talk about the new Developmental Milestones website are Bridgett Ratajczak, Child and Family Development Supervisor at DECAL, and Ann Panzica, Child and Family Development Training Specialist.  

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If you’re the parent of a school age child, ages 5 to 12, in a public school using all virtual learning, DECAL may have some financial assistance for you to help pay for child care.  It’s called the SOLVE Program, which stands for Supporting Onsite Learning for Virtual Education.  Joining us to talk about the SOLVE Program and how families can apply is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner for the CAPS Program, and of course Commissioner Jacobs who has been working with the Governor’s Office to design and launch this program for children and families here in Georgia.

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It may be traditional, hybrid, or full distance learning…but Georgia’s Pre-K Program is back for the 2020-2021 school year.  Over 3,800 classes at more than 1,800 locations all across the state.  So how are things going?  For the best information straight from the Pre-K classroom we’re talking today with our Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year, Heather Williams from Central Georgia Technical College's Larry O'Neal Child Development Center (CDC) in Warner Robins, and Johnathon Hines from the Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology in DeKalb County.  We’re also joined by Meghan McNail, Summer Transition and Outreach Manager for Georgia’s Pre-K Program.

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Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs is interviewed by Scott Slade for WSB Radio's Atlanta's Morning News about the new SOLVE Program, financial assistance for school age children involved in virtual long distance learning. 

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With Georgia child care programs reopening and welcoming back children and families, DECAL is joining the Governor’s Office and the Georgia Department of Public Health in offering new COVID-19 guidance for Georgia Child Care facilities.  We’re committed to supporting early childhood learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and we recognize the vital role that providers, including their teaching staff, play in the support of Georgia’s children and families, especially during a public health crisis.

Joining us today to talk about our COVID-19 Guidance for providers is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services, and Ebony Thomas, Epidemiologist with the Georgia Department of Public Health.  

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On Tuesday, August 11, DECAL held a special Virtual Town Hall webinar on COVID-19 for Georgia child care providers and advocates featuring Governor Brian Kemp and Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health.  This was an opportunity for child care providers to hear directly from state leaders and ask their questions as many programs reopen and return for school.  

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Who’s ready for Back to School?  From virtual at-home learning to in-person classroom instruction and everything in between.  But this year, it’s about more than backpacks and notebook paper, it’s asking if your child is socially and emotionally prepared for school in the age of COVID-19.  Joining us to talk about COVID Considerations in returning to school is Allison O’Hara, Program Director of Inclusion and Behavior Support, with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, and Cheryl Benefield, Program Manager for Safe and Supportive Schools with the Georgia Department of Education.

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While parents are at work, many of Georgia’s children spend time in afterschool programs. These programs offer a safe and supportive environment with structured activities and good nutrition. As schools begin to reopen with in-person and virtual learning options, afterschool programs are also developing plans to successfully and safely welcome back students.

Katie Landes, director of the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network joins us today to talk about how these critical afterschool programs are preparing to re-start operations. Tamika Boone, DECAL’s Director of Nutrition Services is also here. She will talk about how many of these afterschool  programs can add a nutritional component to ensure that our most vulnerable children have access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

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