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An episode recorded Tuesday, April 7, 2020, during the COVID-19 Coronavirus Crisis and Public Health Emergency here in Georgia.  Here at DECAL, we are practicing social distancing and working from our homes.  We are also under a Statewide Shelter in Place Order from Governor Brian P. Kemp that runs through Friday, April 13.  Our special guest is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services. 

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Deputy Commissioner of Georgia's Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports Susan Adams is interviewed by Good Day Atlanta's Katie Beasley on the popular program seen weekday mornings on WAGA-TV (FOX) 5 Atlanta.

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Georgia’s 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.  Today we talk with someone who has participated in this program from GED to PhD.  She's Dr. Meghan McBride, Dean of Adult Education at Georgia Piedmont Technical College.  

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According to Attendance Works, a national organization that addresses chronic school absenteeism, persistent dental pain, along with related trouble eating and sleeping, makes oral health one of the leading causes of chronic school absenteeism among young students. Among school-age children, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease, five times more prevalent than asthma! Joining us to talk about the importance of dental health among our youngest learners is Dr. Adam Barefoot, Director of Oral Health with the Georgia Department of Public Health; Allison Setterlind, Director of the Head Start Collaboration Office; and Kim Tillman, Health Services Manager for Easter Seals of North Georgia.    

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Searching for high quality child care can be a daunting experience.  Add a pandemic like COVID-19 and the search can be even more of a challenge.  DECAL says while many child care programs have temporarily closed as a result of the Coronavirus crisis, many are still open and available to serve children and families in all corners of the state.  DECAL encourages families searching for child care to visit www.qualityrated.org or call 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS for assistance.  They are also working with child care advocates to assist families in their search.  Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs talks with WSB Radio's Scott Slade on Atlanta's Morning News.

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In many parts of Georgia, it’s time to register your child for the 2020-2021 school year in Georgia’s Pre-K Program.  The purpose of Georgia’s Pre-K Program is to prepare children for success in Kindergarten and later school years.  Pre-K programs usually operate on the regular school system calendar for the length of a typical school day and are offered at local public schools or through private providers of preschool services.  Joining us to talk about registering for Georgia’s Pre-K Program is Jackie Shivers, Director of Pre-K Quality Support, and Faith Duncan, Director of Pre-K Field Operations.  Ladies, welcome to the podcast.

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From the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, this is a special edition of DECAL Download: COVID-19 Coronavirus in Georgia and DECAL’s response.  Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs and Chief Communications Officer Reg Griffin host our special coverage with Deputy Commissioner for Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports Susan Adams, Deputy Commissioner for CAPS Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration Rian Ringsrud, and Child Care Services Director of Policy and Enforcement April Rogers.  We also talk with Jamie Rechkemmer, VP of Education and Quality with Childcare Network, site of the first Georgia teacher in a child care setting testing positive for COVID-19.

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It may be March, but our Nutrition Team has their mind on Summer and the need for eligible organizations to serve healthy meals to children when school is not in session.  Last year we served over 4.8 million meals across Georgia, but the need is always growing.  Joining us to talk about the Summer Food Service Program and how your organization can play an important role is Tamika Boone, Director of Nutrition Services, and Cindy Kicklighter, Manager of Nutrition Marketing and Outreach.  

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It’s never too early to be thinking about your child’s college education, even if your child is four years old!  That’s the idea behind the Path from Pre-K to College Sweepstakes happening during March and sponsored by DECAL, Path2College 529 Plan and the Georgia Student Finance Commission.  Four lucky Pre-K students will be randomly selected to win $1,529 and give a little boost to their college tuition.  Here to talk about the sweepstakes is Mitch Seabaugh, Executive Director of the Path2College 529 Plan.  

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For child care providers in Georgia receiving CAPS funding, the clock is ticking.  In order to continue to receive CAPS payments for your children and families served, you must be Quality Rated by December 31, 2020.  Here to talk about the CAPS/Quality Rated 2020 Deadline is Laura Wagner, Community Outreach and Partnerships Director; Denise Jenson, Quality Rated Director; and Shawnell Johnson, Director of Family Support with the CAPS Program.

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