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With many businesses reopening here in Georgia, the need for child care is on the rise so parents and families can return to their jobs.  Family Child Care Learning Homes and Child Care Learning Centers are operating under some strict guidelines that include smaller class sizes, temperature checks at the door, and meals served in classrooms. Joining us to discuss the child care comeback and what parents can expect is Dana Morrison, Director of Field Operations in our Child Care Services Division, Melissa Herndon, Southeast Regional Manager for Child Care Services, and Nadia Davis, a parent to two children enrolled with Primrose Alpharetta East. 

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The age-old expression says, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”  That was the case in April when schools and many child care programs closed due to COVID-19 and families moved to online learning for their children.  Here at DECAL, we introduced Georgia’s Pre-K At Home for four and five year olds, and Toddler Time At Home for children 12 to 36 months old.  Joining us to talk about Toddler Time At Home is Bridget Ratajczak, Child and Family Development Supervisor here at DECAL, along with Tiffany Grindle, one of our Infant Toddler Specialists.  Also two parents, Dr. Dana Rickman, mom to 3-year-old twins Alexandra and Riley, from the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, and Randy Hudgins, dad to 8-month-old Everett, and also Director of Research in our Quality Innovations and Partnerships Division.  

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Across the nation, COVID-19 has taken its toll on the childcare industry…either shutting down programs completely or reducing enrollment capacity due to CDC and health department requirements.  Now many programs here in Georgia are gradually reopening and trying to determine how best to use federal aid issued through the CARES Act.  To assist these programs, DECAL and Quality Care for Children have been hosting a series of webinars to help with financial success after COVID-19 and guidance on using the CARES funding.  Joining us to talk about the webinars and some important advice for childcare programs is Monique Reynolds, Director of Early Childhood Education Business Support Services with Quality Care for Children, and Laura Wagner, Community Outreach and Partnership Director for Quality Innovations and Partnerships here at DECAL.

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Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs is interviewed by Scott Slade for WSB Radio's Atlanta's Morning News.

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Last Friday was a big day in our efforts to help Georgia child care providers and families respond to the impact of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.  Beginning May 1, all licensed Georgia child care providers are invited to apply for STABLE payments. These payments represent the first phase of administering $144 million Georgia received under the federal CARES Act.  Also on Friday, we opened up Tier Two of the CAPS Essential Services Workforce to include those who work within the food supply chain like grocery stores, farming, and food delivery and pick-up.  Joining us is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner for Georgia’s CAPS Program, and Woody Dover, Enterprise Project Management Director here at DECAL.  

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On April 1, as part of the Public Health State of Emergency, Georgia’s public elementary and secondary schools…including Georgia’s Pre-K Program…were closed for the remainder of the year.  That left many families scrambling to continue their child’s learning at home.  To assist families through these challenging times, DECAL launched Georgia’s Pre-K At Home.  Joining us to talk about Georgia’s Pre-K At Home and our efforts to stay connected with students and families in Georgia’s Pre-K Program is Faith Duncan, Director of Field Operations, with three of our Pre-K Specialists: Allison Morrison, Devon Porter, and Jill Vandenbos.  

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Families have always helped with homework and supervised chores around the house, but the new world of the COVID-19 Coronavirus with its Shelter in Place orders have presented new challenges for children and parents alike.  Joining us to talk about how to co-exist in this new normal…minus any blowups and tantrums…is Allison O’Hara, Program Director for the Inclusion and Behavior Support Program here at DECAL. 

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Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs talks with WABE's Martha Dalton about Georgia child care programs who are open and serving children and families during COVID-19.

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Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services, or CAPS Program, provides scholarships to help with the cost of child care so parents can work or attend school.  The program not only helps families navigate their children’s early years, but also connects families with resources to help them become self-sufficient.  With many child care learning centers and family child care learning homes closed due to COVID-19, many CAPS families and providers have been impacted.  Joining us to talk about CAPS and the impact of COVID-19 during the Public Health State of Emergency here in Georgia is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner for the CAPS Program.    

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Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs is interviewed by WGAU Radio's Tim Bryant about the impact of COVID-19 on Georgia child care learning centers and family child care learning homes.

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