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Today we’re talking about building learning environments where every child, regardless of ability, can thrive. DECAL has introduced an exciting initiative, the Adaptive Learning Mini-Grant Opportunity! Joining us this week is Peggy Sutton, Jenn Dover, Esther Whitaker, plus Shaheen Ehani, Director at Kids Galaxy of Marietta, and Abby Brooke, Assistant Director of Doodlebugs Childcare. Both are recipients of the mini-grant. 

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This week we’re talking about a great partnership between DECAL and Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan: the annual We Care, Child Care Sweepstakes. Now open for entries, this initiative will award four Georgia families—each from different regions—a $1,529 college scholarship for their child. At the same time, the child care program each winner attends will receive $1,529 cash to bolster early learning efforts. Joining us this week to talk more about the We Care Child Care Sweepstakes is Bethany Whetzel, Treasury Program Director for the Georgia Office of the State Treasurer.  

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With a workforce of 800 employees spanning Georgia, the DECAL team travels extensively between cities to visit child care programs and engage with community partners and advocates. Through their experiences, they have accumulated valuable insights regarding the best dining establishments in Georgia…from sit-down meals to sweet treats to enjoy along the highways and byways.  Joining us to talk about the Best Places to Eat in Georgia is Brittany Marks and Clayton Adams with our Early Education Community Partnerships team, Kimberly Stoy with Child Care Services in Southeast Georgia, and Ira Sudman, General Counsel for DECAL. 

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At their May 15 quarterly meeting, members of the Board of Early Care and Learning elected new officers. The 14-member body is an advisory board to Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, all appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to seat representing their congressional districts. Joining us to talk about their new roles on the Board of Early Care and Learning is Kristy Beam who is from Atlanta representing the Fourth Congressional District, who now serves as Chair; Kristin Morrisey is from Cumming and represents the Seventh Congressional District, who now serves as Vice Chair; and Cristina Washell, from Cleveland, representing the Ninth Congressional District who was elected secretary. 

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This week we're diving into the new CAPS Advisory Councils…one for parents and one for providers. These groups are here to share insights and feedback on the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program to help make it better and easier to access. Joining us is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner for Federal Programs, Amy Roys, CAPS Director for Development and Partnerships, and Melinda Knowles, CAPS Manager for Development and Partnerships. 

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Today we’re diving into the exciting world of internships with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Whether you're a student considering a career in early childhood education or someone looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children, this episode is packed with valuable insights and information that will guide you through the internship opportunities available. Joining us to talk about their Intern Experience here at DECAL is Gabrielle Meeks, recent graduate from Georgia Tech, and Njambi Karobia, recent graduate from Georgia State University. Also joining us is Mark Dock, Senior Manager of Human Resources, and Trey Freeman, who served as a DECAL Intern and is now employed fulltime as a Human Resources Assistant.  

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From 2020-2023, DECAL received $2B+ in federal relief funds, fueling initiatives for Georgia’s child care providers, workforce & families. Dive into the impact w/ insights from DECAL & Child Trends. Joining us to talk about COVID-19 relief funding and to help us follow the money is an impressive panel of guests: Shayna Funke, DECAL Director of Research Partnerships and Business Supports; Rob O’Callaghan, DECAL Director of Institutional Research and Data Quality; and from Child Trends, Dr. Dale Richards, Research Scholar and Dr. Rachel Abenavoli, Research Scientist. 

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DECAL has recently announced the launch of our Quality Rated Workforce Bonus payments, a groundbreaking effort that stands among the first of its kind in the nation. This initiative underscores DECAL's unwavering commitment to investing in our dedicated teachers and support staff. These professionals play an essential role in providing high-quality early education and care for our young children, ensuring they have the best possible start in life. Joining us to delve deeper into the Quality Rated Workforce Bonuses is Denise Jenson, the Director of Development and Business Operations for Quality Innovations and Partnerships, and Dr. Bentley Ponder, the Deputy Commissioner for QIP. They will share their insights and provide us with a comprehensive understanding of this innovative program.

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For the twelfth consecutive year, DECAL is reminding families and caregivers of children to increase their awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. This year’s “Look Again” campaign aims to ensure that families, child care providers, and the public understand how to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke and stay vigilant during Georgia's hottest months.

Joining us today to discuss this important mission are some very special guests: Allen Poole, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Dr. Andrew Grundstein, Professor of Geography and a member of the Atmospheric Sciences program at the University of Georgia, Rukiya Thomas and Kesha McNeal, Regional Managers in DECAL’s Child Care Services Division. 

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Today, we're discussing the pivotal changes and initiatives that are reshaping literacy training in Georgia. Beginning July 1, all child care providers will be required to obtain at least 2 hours of state-approved language and literacy training annually. This move underscores DECAL’s commitment to enhancing language and literacy outcomes for even our youngest learners. Joining us to talk about DECAL’s language and literacy efforts is Jennifer Bridgeman, Director of Process and Policy in our Child Care Services Division, and Dr. Christi Moore is Director of Workforce Supports and Learning.  

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