Send us a text

You’re getting two topics for the price of one on this week's podcast. First, it’s never too soon to start saving for your child’s college education. DECAL and Path2College 529 Plan are making that easier with the We Care Child Care Sweepstakes. And then, careers at DECAL…this year we celebrate 20 years as one of the few state agencies in the nation dedicated entirely to early childhood education and care.  Over those 20 years we have grown to a staff of more than 700 employees. And if you would like to have an impact of the development and future success of young children and their families….this might be a great career move for you. Joining us first via Zoom is Mitch Seabaugh, Executive Director of the Path2College 529 Plan back to talk with us about the We Care Childcare Sweepstakes which is going on now through July 31. Then Careers at DECAL with Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration; Sheryl Young-Wilhite, Director of Human Resources, and Mark Dock, Senior Manager of Human Resources.  

Support the show

Send us a text

Last month, we looked at the impact on DECAL of the $36-million Fiscal Year 2025 budget signed by Governor Kemp in May. There several bills passed by the Georgia General Assembly and signed by the Governor that took effect July 1 and have an impact on DECAL. Joining us to talk about these new laws taking effect is Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration, and Liz Young, Director of Governor Relations and Special Projects.  

Support the show

Send us a text

Open Records play a crucial role in promoting an open government by providing citizens with the tools to engage with and understand the workings of their government. The concept of Open Records in grounded in the principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring that the public can obtain information about government operations, decisions, and expenditures. Joining us to talk more about Open Records is Maria Reznik, Open Records Compliance Analyst, and Ira Sudman, our General Counsel. 

Support the show

Send us a text

Last year, DECAL took over the provider management function of the CAPS Program, something previously handled by our contractor, Maximus. We implemented these changes to offer more streamlined and effective services to child care providers who play a crucial role in supporting children and families. A major component of offering more streamlined and effective services is a new system called GACAPS, a modern new system that allows for streamlined attendance tracking, enrollment and completion of annual renewals directly through the system, quality assurance for accurate billing and more. Joining us to talk about the CAPS Program and our new GACAPS system is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner over the CAPS Program; and Latisha Lewis, Manager of Provider Relations Customer Support.  

Support the show

Send us a text

A Georgia teacher and author has a new children’s book that takes readers on a food tour of our state. Kelly Young-Silverman is a teacher at The Lovett School in Atlanta. She lives in Marietta with her husband and daughter.  The book is called “Hot Boiled Peanuts” and highlights lots of culinary delights from the Peach state. Hope you're hungry! 

Support the show

Send us a text

In May, Governor Brian Kemp signed the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget at a signing ceremony in the North Wing of the State Capitol. It’s a $36-billion budget that includes raises for state employees and public school teachers as well as an influx of $97-million for Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Joining us to talk about the FY2025 Budget Impact on DECAL is Susan Adams, Deputy Commissioner for Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports, and Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration.  

Support the show

Send us a text

With over 4,300 licensed child care programs in Georgia, our Child Care Services Division is dedicated to ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment through licensing, monitoring, and professional development.  We do it all to support the growth and development of Georgia’s young children.  Today we're chatting with Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services Pam Stevens. 

Support the show

Send us a text

When Author, Super Bowl Champion, and Valdosta Native Malcolm Mitchell sat down to write his second book for Georgia’s Pre-K Program, he set the story at the Georgia Governor’s Mansion where the First Couple welcomed students on a field trip to “The People’s House.” On May 8, thanks to Malcolm, First Lady Marty Kemp and DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs, this story became a reality for a group of Georgia’s Pre-K Program students from Fulton County. Joining us to talk about the new book “A Magnificent Field Trip to the Governor’s Mansion” is the author, Malcolm Mitchell. 

Support the show

Send us a text

A career in state government offers employees an engaging and diverse work environment that allows them to fulfill personal and professional ambitions while taking pride in providing services that contribute to Georgia’s success. The work of a state employee impacts economic development, environmental quality, education, housing, health and overall quality of life issues for all Georgians. But all good things must come to an end….and there’s a point where you start thinking about retirement. Joining us to talk about retiring this year from DECAL is Rhonda Gunn, Senior HR Manager, who has worked in state government for 34 years, 16 of them here at DECAL and Susan Breheny, Business Process Analyst for Georgia’s Pre-K Program, who has been with us 17 years starting as a registrar for Pre-K teacher training in 2007.  

Support the show

Send us a text

For the eleventh consecutive year, DECAL is reminding families and caregivers of children to increase their awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. Joining us to talk about preventing vehicular heatstroke is Allen Poole, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety; Robert Hydrick, Communications Manager for GOHS; Dr. Andrew Grundstein, professor of geography at the University of Georgia in Athens where he specializes in weather, climate, and the effects on human health; and Kesha McNeal, Child Care Services Regional Manager at DECAL. 

Support the show