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DECAL DownloadEpisode 36 - Internships at DECALSend us a textToday 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...2025-06-1730 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 21 - Applying for Georgia's Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year 2025-2026Send us a textIf you’re passionate about teaching in Georgia’s Pre-K Program, making a difference in the lives of young learners, and want to be recognized for your hard work, this episode is for you! DECAL is now accepting applications for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year for 2025-2026. Joining us to talk about our Pre-K Teachers of the Year, the application process, and maybe some tips for standing out from the crowd is Devon Porter, Summer Transition and Outreach Manager for Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Support the show2025-03-0430 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 20 - Early Childhood Educators of the YearSend us a textFor the fourth consecutive year, DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning are recognizing three individuals as Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year for 2024-2025. Joining us to talk about serving as Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year is Zina Hadjaz from The Quadrilingual Academy in Smyrna, Infant Teacher of the Year (0-15 months), Laura Silva from My Little Geniuses in Marietta, Toddler Teacher of the Year (15-36 months), and Samantha Mullins from Our House at Central in Atlanta, Preschool Teacher of the Year (36-48 months). Also...2025-02-2541 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 17 - Early Literacy Alignment Mini GrantsSend us a textThe Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning, in partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, is excited to announce the second round of funding for the Early Literacy Alignment Mini Grants. These grants aim to support local school systems and child care programs in their efforts to enhance early literacy outcomes by providing targeted professional development for educators on the science of reading. Joining us today are Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, and Jaclyn Colona, Director of Grant Strategies at the Georgia Foundation for...2025-02-0420 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 16 - Inclusive Early Learning WeekSend us a textChildren in inclusive high-quality childcare programs learn to be accepting of others and knowledgeable about the unique abilities of others. When childcare providers offer inclusive care, they meet the educational needs of each child allowing everyone to thrive. That’s why every year in February we celebrate Inclusive Early Learning Week. Here to talk about the importance of inclusion in early childcare and Inclusive Early Learning Week are Inclusion and Behavior Support Supervisor Margaret Freeman and Specialist Esther Whitaker; Rachel Robertson, Georgia’s Pre-K Teacher of the Year; and parents Jim and Lauren Till...2025-01-2842 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 13 - Early Childhood Care and Education Pipeline GrantSend us a textA grant administered by DECAL and the Technical College System of Georgia is helping identify and pay for the tuition of adult education students looking to work in early childhood education…a field that has seen a severe shortage of qualified workers. It’s called the Early Childhood Care and Education Pipeline Grant and Commissioner, so far it has supported close to 200 students. Joining us to talk about the Pipeline Grant is Dr. Christi Moore, Director of Workforce Supports and Learning; TCSG Executive Director of Adult Education Bobby Creech, and Sescily Bell of Covi...2025-01-0736 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 6 - Georgia's Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year 2024-2025Send us a textDECAL has named its Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year and it was just in time for our 14th annual Georgia’s Pre-K Week. We name a winner from a public school and private school, and this year’s winners are from Lincolnton and Watkinsville. Joining us on the podcast this week is public-school winner Elizabeth Arthur from Lincoln County Elementary School, and private child care center winner Rachel Robertson from Oconee Preschool Academy. Also joining us is Meghan McNail, Director of Georgia’s Pre-K Instruction and Regional O...2024-11-191h 01DECAL DownloadEpisode 5 - Find Help Georgia ForumSend us a textIf you’re looking for financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, child care and more, there is a one-stop shop for community resources near you! It’s called Find Help Georgia, a comprehensive online directory to help strengthen families. And we're coming up soon on our second annual Find Help Georgia Forum. Joining us to talk about Find Help Georgia is Amy Roys, CAPS Director for Development and Partnerships, and Melinda Knowles, CAPS Development and Partnerships Project Manager. Support the show2024-11-1214 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 49 - Georgia Pre-K WeekSend us a textVoices for Georgia’s Children and DECAL are proud to announce that the 14th annual Georgia Pre-K Week is set to take place from October 7th to 11th, 2024. This event celebrates the 32nd year of Georgia’s Pre-K Program and highlights the importance of early childhood education across the state. Joining us to talk about Georgia Pre-K Week 2024 is Susan Adams, Deputy Commissioner for Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports, Judy Fitzgerald is Executive Director at Voices for Georgia’s Children, and we’re honored to have State Representative Jan Jones, who serves as...2024-09-2733 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 47 - Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Training and Workforce SupportSend us a textThis week we’re highlighting early childhood workforce development opportunities in the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health space. Joining us is DECAL’s Laura Lucas, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Director, Dr. Bentley Ponder, Deputy Commissioner of Quality Innovations and Partnerships, and our guests from Georgia State University’s Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health (also known as “Georgia AIM”), Raynell Washington, Dr. Jordan Murphy from the Center for Interrelational Science and Pediatrics, and Audrey Idaikkadar, from Resilient Georgia. Support the show2024-09-1732 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 42 - Georgia's 2Gen AcademySend us a textThe second class of a two-generation academy created by Commissioner Jacobs has now graduated. The Georgia 2Gen Academy is presented each year by the Georgia Children’s Cabinet and facilitated by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. Twenty-six representatives from state agencies, including DECAL and advocacy groups for children and youth, participated. Joining us to talk about Georgia’s 2Gen Academy are DECAL participants Nutrition & Physical Activity Supervisor Diana Myers, Head Start Collaboration Office Director Allison Setterlind, and CAPS Family Support Director Amanda Vanmeter. Also Joy Hawkins, Executive Dire...2024-08-1335 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 29 - CareSourceSend us a textOur Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning recently received the Heart of Community Award from CareSource, a nationally recognized, nonprofit managed care organization serving over 2 million members across five states including Georgia. Joining us to talk about the award from CareSource is Senior Manager for Population Healing Lisa Pennington, and also Senior Specialist Elida Lopez. From DECAL is Allison Setterlind, Georgia Head Start Collaboration Director, and Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning. Support the show2024-05-1418 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 28 - Educators LuncheonSend us a textFriday, April 19, was a big day for DECAL, the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, and all of our educators of the year being honored this year. The Georgia Lottery and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon honoring our three Early Childhood Educators of the Year and our two Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year. Joining us to look back on the luncheon and hear portions of the program is Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning; Miranda Murphy is Practice and...2024-05-0735 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 23 - Georgia Public Library ServiceSend us a textDespite advancements in technology and all of the screen time each of us total up in a month, the public library continues to be a popular place for individuals and families here in Georgia. There are 410 public libraries across the state…and that library card holds more value than ever. With National Library Week coming up April 7-13, this is a great time to talk about the Georgia Public Library Service with Julie Walker, State Librarian and Vice Chancellor for Libraries and Archives, and Evan Bush, Director of Youth Services for the Georgia Pub...2024-04-0250 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 22 - Early Childhood Educators of the YearSend us a textIn December, DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning announced our three winners for Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year. Joining us today is Laura Wagner, Executive Director for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning; Miranda Murphy is our Practice and Support Services Outreach and Project Manager. And our very special guests….the Early Childhood Educators of the Year for 2023-2024, Noel Weimer from Water Oak Family Child Care Learning Home in Roswell is the infant teacher of the year; Bianca Brown...2024-03-2654 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 16 - Jennie Couture ScholarshipSend us a textIf you have been around DECAL for any time over our past 20 years now, you have heard the name Jennie Couture. Jennie was our Director of Practice and Support Services who retired in 2022 after a 40 year career dedicated to special education, inclusion, and behavioral support. To honor Jennie and her love for inclusion, the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning began the Jennie Couture Legacy Scholarship Fund, a program that serves early childhood educators with professional development opportunities in areas so close to Jennie’s heart: inclusion and social-emotional development. Joining us to talk...2024-02-1331 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 15 - Inclusive Early Learning Week 2024Send us a textDECAL’s Inclusive Early Learning Week will be celebrated the week of February 12-16, 2024. The mission of IELW is to promote inclusive practices within early learning environments across Georgia. This year we are also celebrating the Inclusion and Behavior Support Program’s 10-year anniversary at DECAL. Joining us to share more about inclusion and IELW, are Peggy Sutton, Inclusion and Behavior Support Regional Supervisor, Tabitha Howard, Center Director at YMCA Paulding Early Learning Center, Tina Holt, Georgia’s Pre-K Inclusion Lead Teacher at YMCA Paulding Early Learning Center, and Michele Biggers, whose 14 year old da...2024-02-0653 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 13 - Meet the InternsSend us a textSince 2016, DECAL has offered paid internships to students currently enrolled in a Georgia college, university, or law school with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. We took a break during the pandemic years of 2020 through 2022, but last year the interns returned. Joining us this week to talk about their experiences so far are two of our communications and government relations interns: Mackenzie Weston is a senior at Kennesaw State University, and Trey Freeman is a senior at Clayton State University. Working with the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning is Brianna...2024-01-2338 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 12 - Preview of the 2024 Georgia General AssemblySend us a textThe 2024 Session of the Georgia General Assembly opened recently with everything you might expect from the Wild Hog Supper to Governor Kemp’s State of the State Address. But what can we expect for DECAL and early childhood care and education in Georgia this session? Joining us to talk about the Georgia General Assembly, Governor Kemp’s State of the State address, and other topics is Polly McKinney, Advocacy Director for Voices for Georgia’s Children and a partner at Lexicon Strategies, and Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration for DECAL.S...2024-01-1238 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 3 - Georgia Literacy CouncilSend us a textIt’s been called an epidemic but also Georgia’s most solvable problem. We’re talking about the fact that according to the Georgia Department of Education, only about a third of most children in Georgia are reading on grade level by the third grade. That has ramifications on the future as experts say it won’t support the workforce and Georgia’s growing economy. Joining us to talk about the new Georgia Literacy Council and the work being done right now is Scott Johnson, chairman of the Georgia Literacy Council, and Dr. Gary Bingha...2023-11-0733 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 50 - Child Care Tuition Assistance for Early EducatorsSend us a textThis month, DECAL is offering child care tuition assistance for early educators in Georgia to help the child care industry recruit and retain professional staff. Using funds from ARPA, this program will support the cost of child care for children of individuals working at 30 licensed child care programs in Georgia. Joining us to talk about tuition assistance for early educators is Dr. Christi Moore, DECAL Director of Professional Learning, and Shenae Holmes is our Workforce Development Specialist. Support the show2023-10-1422 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 47 - Georgia's Pre-K Week 2023Send us a textThis year DECAL and Voices for Georgia’s Children are celebrating the 13th Annual Georgia’s Pre-K Week, October 2-6, 2023…our 31st year offering Pre-K to students and families here in Georgia. Joining us to talk about Georgia Pre-K Week is Caitlin Dooley, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children, and State Representative Teri Anulewicz (District 47-Smyrna). Support the show2023-09-2633 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 42 - Preparing for Georgia's Pre-K ProgramSend us a textFor the first time ever, tens of thousands of young children across Georgia are preparing to enter Georgia’s Pre-K Program. We’re expecting 70,000 and more this school year. Several areas of the state started school in late July, but the majority are starting now. Joining us to talk about starting school are Megan McGraw and Jessi Slater from our Inclusion and Behavior Support Division, and Karen Mobley and Megan O’Bara, both specialists in Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Support the show2023-08-0842 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 33 - Find Help Georgia (www.findhelpga.org)Send us a textThere’s a new resource in Georgia to assist families in locating the services they need…from financial assistance and food pantries to medical services and child care. Find Help Georgia is a collaboration by DECAL, Technical College System of Georgia, and Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. Here to talk about Find Help Georgia is Amanda Tarpley, CAPS Family Support Director for Operations; Amy Roys is CAPS Director for Development and Partnerships; and Jennifer Stine is Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. www.findhelpga.org Support the show2023-06-0632 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 30 - Board of Early Care and LearningSend us a textThis year we’re celebrating the 30th year of Georgia’s Pre-K Program and the 10th year of Quality Rated. Next year marks the 20th year for the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and when the agency was created in 2004, the same legislation mandated that the new department have an advisory board to support our work. The board meets quarterly and is composed of 14 members appointed by the Governor, with one member from each of Georgia’s 14 congressional districts. Joining us to talk about the Board of Early Care and Learning are boa...2023-05-0946 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 28 - Georgia Children's Mental Health WeekSend us a textFor the third year in a row, DECAL will celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week in Georgia May 1-5, 2023 . Similar to Georgia’s Pre-K Week and Inclusive Early Learning Week, this special week in May reminds us that the early years in a child’s life provide a key opportunity to establish safe and secure relationships and support healthy social and emotional development. Joining us to talk about Children’s Mental Health Week on the podcast today from DECAL’s Pre-K and Instructional Support Division, we have Laura Lucas, our Director of Infant and Early C...2023-04-2525 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 25 - Georgia Summit on Talent DevelopmentSend us a textLast month, the Georgia Chamber hosted its third annual Georgia Summit, this year focused entirely on talent development. The event was held at the Georgia Tech Research Institute and included discussions around talent and workforce development at every stage of the pipeline. Commissioner Jacobs was invited to serve on a panel discussing early childhood education, joined by Mindy Binderman, Executive Director of GEEARS; Kelli Henderson, HR Vice President with AFLAC Total Rewards; and Daniela Perry, Vice President of the Georgia Chamber Foundation. Support the show2023-04-0440 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 22 - Meet Dr. Caitlin McMunn Dooley, Voices for Georgia's ChildrenSend us a textMeeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families is a big responsibility for one state agency…that’s why we appreciate so much the early childhood advocates we work with on a daily basis. One of those advocates that helps us enhance early care and education for children and their families is Voices for Georgia’s Children, a nonprofit child policy and advocacy organization advancing laws, policies, and actions that improve the lives of Georgia’s children. Today we’re talking with the new Voices Executive Director Dr...2023-03-1426 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 17 - Becoming a Georgia's Pre-K Program ProviderSend us a textThis year, Georgia’s Pre-K Program celebrates its 30th birthday. Pre-K in Georgia began in 1992 as a pilot program serving 750 at-risk four year olds at 20 locations. Because of the success of the Georgia Lottery, in 1995 the Pre-K program was opened to all four year old children regardless of family income. The program has grown every year since its inception, today serving more than 73,000 students in over 3,700 classrooms across the state. But how do child care providers apply to offer Georgia’s Pre-K Program in their facilities? Joining us to talk about becoming a Georg...2023-02-0829 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 14 - Preview of the 2023 Georgia General AssemblySend us a textThe 157th session of the Georgia General Assembly is now underway. For the first time this century, the legislature begins with a new Lieutenant Governor on the Senate side and a new Speaker of the House. But what role does an agency like DECAL play in the process? Joining us to talk about the 157th meeting of the Georgia General Assembly is Polly McKinney, Advocacy Director with Voices for Georgia’s Children; Liz Young, Director of Government Relations here at DECAL; and Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration. Support the s...2023-01-1744 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 13 - GPEE Panel on Future of Education in GeorgiaSend us a textThe Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education (GPEE) recently held its annual Media Symposium where it released its 19th edition of the Top Ten Issues to Watch in 2023. Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs was part of a panel discussing the future of education in Georgia. She spoke along with Commissioner Greg Dozier from the Technical College System of Georgia, Chancellor Sonny Perdue from the University System of Georgia, and State School Superintendent Richard Woods from the Georgia Department of Education. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Dana Rickman, President of the Georgia Partnership. Su...2023-01-101h 27DECAL DownloadEpisode 6 - Supporting the Early Childhood WorkforceSend us a textWhile many private-sector jobs have fully rebounded from problems presented by COVID-19, this has not been the case for the early childhood workforce in America which has actually shrunk by close to ten-percent from what it was in February, 2020. To better understand the impact of COVID-19 on the early childhood workforce, our partners at GEEARS…Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students…have been conducting focus groups all this year with child care learning centers, family child care learning homes, Head Start programs, and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Joining us to talk about supporti...2022-11-2229 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 3 - Meet our Georgia's Pre-K Teachers of the Year 2022-2023Send us a textLast month, DECAL named our Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year for the 2022-2023 school year just in time for the annual Georgia’s Pre-K Week October 3-7. The public school winner is Shannon Gibson from Baldwin Elementary School in Baldwin, and the private child care center winner is Alaina Jones from Akers Academy in Cumming. Joining us this week to talk about their experience of being selected Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year are Shannon and Alaina, along with Meghan McNail, our Summer Transition Program and Outreach Manager, who oversees the Tea...2022-10-2528 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 2 - Farm to School/Farm to Early Care and Education MonthSend us a textOctober is Farm to School and Farm to Early Care and Education Month…an innovative way to build children’s relationship with food and the local food system through hands-on food education and gardening experiences, interactive and adventurous taste testing, and inclusion of local items into CACFP meals and snacks. Joining us to talk about Farm to School and Farm to Early Care and Education Month is Diana Myers, Nutrition and Physical Activity Supervisor here at DECAL, and Akia Lewis with Georgia Family Connection Partnership and Get Georgia Reading. Support the show2022-10-1851 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 1 - Meet Malcolm Mitchell, author of "Hey, Georgia!"Send us a textToday we are on location at Scott Elementary School, one of the Atlanta Public Schools, as we celebrate Georgia’s Pre-K Week, with a very special guest who just happened to write the new book we are giving to all Georgia Pre-K students and their classrooms called “Hey Georgia.” We’re talking about former New England Patriots and University of Georgia football wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell. Support the show2022-10-1136 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 58 - Celebrating 18 Years of DECALSend us a textIt’s a year of major milestones here at the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning…Quality Rated celebrates a Decade of Stars now marking ten years as Georgia’s Quality Rating and Improvement System…and this school year Georgia’s Pre-K Program celebrates 30 years of high quality early childhood education for the state’s four and five year olds. But sandwiched in between all that is the 18th birthday of our agency as a whole. Prior to 2004, the idea of a state department strictly for children under the age of five was unheard of...2022-10-0435 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 57 - Georgia Pre-K Week 2022Send us a textThis year DECAL and Voices for Georgia’s Children are celebrating the 12th Annual Georgia’s Pre-K Week, October 3-7…our thirtieth year offering Pre-K to students and families here in Georgia. Joining us to talk about Georgia Pre-K Week is State Representative Sharon Cooper, representing District 43 and the East Cobb County area, a frequent guest reader in Georgia’s Pre-K Program classrooms through the years; Polly McKinney, with Voices for Georgia’s Children and Susan Adams, Deputy Commissioner for Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports. Support the show2022-09-2732 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 54 - Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the YearSend us a textFor the second year in a row, DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning are seeking applications for the 2022-2023 Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year Program, recognizing the teachers of our very youngest learners…infants, toddlers, and preschool. Joining us to talk about our Early Childhood Educators of the Year is Laura Wagner, Interim Executive Director for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning; Thea Stevens, DECAL’s Infant Toddler Manager; and Rebecca Ellis, Director of Practice and Support Services. Support the show2022-09-0722 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 50 - Meet Laura Wagner, Georgia Foundation for Early Care and LearningSend us a textLast month, Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs announced a new Interim Executive Director for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning to replace outgoing director Carrie Ashbee who recently moved with her husband and daughter to Mobile, Alabama. Laura Wagner is no stranger to DECAL. She comes to the new role from Quality Initiatives and Partnerships where she served Quality Rated and Partnerships Director. On this episode, we get to know Laura better.Support the show2022-08-0925 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 44 - Preparing for Georgia's Pre-K ProgramSend us a textIt may be summertime but before you know it we will be opening up the 2022-2023 school year for Georgia’s Pre-K Program, our 30th year offering Pre-K in Georgia. Joining us to talk about preparing for Georgia’s Pre-K Program is Faith Duncan, Director of Georgia’s Pre-K Program; Laurianne McDonald is a Pre-K specialist working with programs in Southeast Georgia; and LaNita Carey from Jackson Creek Academy in Lilburn is one of our Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year. Support the show2022-06-2841 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 35 - Moonlight through the PinesSend us a textIn 2018, the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning partnered with the Georgia Forestry Foundation to host the first Moonlight through the Pines, a fundraising event for both organizations featuring great food and singer songwriters from Georgia. We had such a great time with that event, we are doing it again on May 18, this time with the foundation for the Technical College System of Georgia. Joining us to talk about Moonlight through the Pines: A Singers Songwriters Soiree is Kelsey Bassett, Executive Director of the TCSG Foundation, and our own Carrie Ashbee, Executive Di...2022-05-0331 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 31 - Learn the Signs. Act Early. Developmental Milestones RevisionsSend us a textFor over 15 years, the CDC’s Learn the signs. Act Early program has provided free milestone checklists for families, early childhood education professionals, and medical clinicians to use in monitoring the development of young children in their care. In March, the CDC published revisions to the milestones and this week we are bringing our listeners up-to-speed. Joining us to talk about the Learn the Signs, Act Early Program is Bridget Ratajczak, DECAL’s Child and Family Development Supervisor who serves as the CDC’s Act Early Ambassador for Georgia; Rebecca Ellis is our Director...2022-04-1233 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 27 - Clean Water for Georgia KidsSend us a textDECAL is joining the Georgia Department of Education and the nonprofit research institute RTI International to help schools and child care programs test drinking water for lead, communicate about the testing, and remove lead from their drinking and cooking water. Thanks to a federal grant, this testing program is free of charge and good for the health and safety of children and their families. The project is called Clean Water for Georgia Kids…and here to talk about it is Rhonda Parker, Child Care Services Director of Field Operations, Jennifer Hoponick Redmon, the Clea...2022-03-1525 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 20 - Early Childhood Educators of the Year 2022Send us a textEarly child development helps build a foundation for lifelong learning, behavior, and health. With that in in mind, DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning have named our inaugural Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year for 2022. The infant winner is Diana Black from Pookie Bear Learning Center in Savannah, the toddler winner is Maria Claudia Ortega from My Little Geniuses in Marietta, and the preschool winner is Hannah Beth Reeves from the Academy for Little People in Chickamauga. On this week's podcast we are joined by all three winne...2022-02-0140 min
Georgia Partnership's Field NotesHappy Helpings w/ Cindy Kicklighter and Tamika Boone of the Georgia Department of Early Care & LearningIn episode 21 of Field Notes, Merrill Wilcox and Robert Gaines of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education connect with Cindy Kicklighter and Tamika Boone of the Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning (DECAL) to discuss the Happy Helpings summer food service program. Funded by the USDA and administered by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, the program provides free, healthy meals and snacks to children under 19 who need them.2022-02-0129 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 18 - Georgia Association for Infant Mental HealthSend us a textSomething new and exciting is coming to the School of Public Health at Georgia State University here in Atlanta. The research center known as the Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development has been chosen as the future home for the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health. Joining us to talk about plans for the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health is Laura Lucas, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Director here at DECAL; Callan Wells is Health Policy Manager for GEEARS: The Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students; Dr. Kathleen Baggett serves on...2022-01-1831 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 16 - Georgia's Pre-K Program Specialist of the DaySend us a textNow in its twenty-ninth year, Georgia’s Pre-K Program has more than 3,700 classes serving over 73,000 students statewide. Those classrooms are served by 36 Pre-K specialists on a daily basis. But who do you contact if you’re a teacher, director, parent, or the general public with a question or concern about Georgia’s Pre-K Program? Here to talk about the Pre-K Specialist of the Day program is Jennifer McCreary, one of our Regional Managers for Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Support the show2022-01-1129 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 7 - Meet Georgia's Pre-K Teachers of the Year 2021-2022Send us a textDuring our annual Georgia Pre-K Week, held October 4-8, DECAL officially named Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year. The private center winner is LaNita Carey from Jackson Creek Academy in Lilburn, and the public school winner is Stephanie Curington from Kings Chapel Elementary School in Perry. Joining us to talk about this experience are our new Georgia Pre-K Teachers of the Year LaNita and Stephanie, along with Meghan McNail, Summer Transition Program and Outreach Coordinator who oversees the Teachers of the Year every year. Support the s...2021-11-0245 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 6 - Best Places to Eat in GeorgiaSend us a textWith 700 employees all across Georgia, traveling between cities to visit child care programs and meet with community partners and advocates, the DECAL team has stockpiled some great information about the Best Places to Eat in Georgia. Joining us to talk about this tasteful topic is Carrie Ashbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Learning; Billie Joe Sutton is a Georgia’s Pre-K Program Specialist serving Southwest Georgia; and Ira Sudman is Chief Legal Officer here at DECAL. Hope you're hungry! Support the show2021-10-2647 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 5 - National Farm to School and Early Education Month + STABLE 4WARDSend us a text“Our food, our future.” October is National Farm to School and Early Care and Education Month with thousands of schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities, and organizations across the country celebrating food education, school gardens and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients. Joining us to talk about National Farm to School and Early Care and Education Month is Diana Myers, Nutrition Health Educator here at DECAL, and Kimberly Della Donna, Farm to School Director with Georgia Organics. Plus, a DECAL Download EXTRA, featuring Woody Dover, DECAL Enterprise Project Manage...2021-10-1744 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 2 - Meet our DECAL Scholars of the Year 2021-2022Send us a textDECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning have announced the recipients of the 2021-2022 DECAL Scholars of the Year. This year’s program celebrates the 20th Anniversary of DECAL Scholars which supports early care and educational professionals in Georgia in gaining more education and skills and earning financial awards. Joining us to talk about this very special recognition are our DECAL Scholars of the Year…the four-year college/university winner is Edelina Lane of Ellenwood, a Family Child Care Provider who is a student at Point University; Technical College winner is Qui...2021-10-0529 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 56 - New COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care in GeorgiaSend us a textDECAL has joined the Georgia Department of Public Health in updating COVID-19 Guidance specifically for Georgia child care facilities. The guidance, first released in August 2020, covers everything from COVID-19 prevention strategies, promoting vaccinations, and consistent and correct use of masks. Joining us to talk about COVID-19 guidance for child care in Georgia is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services, and Dr. Jenna Gettings is an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta currently assigned as a school team lead with the Georgia Department of Public Health. 2021-09-2133 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 55 - Georgia's Pre-K Week 2021Send us a textThis year DECAL and Voices for Georgia’s Children will celebrate the 11th Annual Georgia’s Pre-K Week, October 4-8, 2021. In 1992, Governor Zell Miller launched a pilot program called Georgia’s Pre-K. Pre-K Week is an opportunity for us to tell this great success story of Georgia’s Pre-K…a voluntary, free program available to all of Georgia’s four-year-olds, regardless of parental income...and it continues to be nationally recognized for its success. Joining us to talk about Georgia Pre-K Week is Dr. Erica Fener-Sitkoff, Executive Director at Voices for Georgia’s Children and Susa...2021-09-1428 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 52 - Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the YearSend us a textYou’ve probably heard about the Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year, something we’ve done since the 2016-2017 school year. Now thanks to the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, we are also recognizing early education teachers of children birth to preschool through the inaugural Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year Program. Joining us to talk about Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year is Thea Stevens, Supervisor of the Infant Toddler Program here at DECAL, and Carrie Ashbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care a...2021-08-2416 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 50 - Georgia's Pre-K Program is BackSend us a textSchool bells are ringing for more than 60,000 of Georgia’s youngest learners as Georgia’s Pre-K Program begins the new school year. The first day of Georgia’s Pre-K Program varies based on school system and child care provider. Joining us to talk about Georgia’s Pre-K Program and this 29th year of operation is Faith Duncan, Director of Field Operations for Georgia’s Pre-K Program, and Alice Lasseter, one of or Pre-K specialists working with teachers and assistant teachers in Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Support the show2021-08-1030 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 34 - Georgia Farm to School and Early Care and Education SummitSend us a textEducators, school nutrition staff, early care providers, and agriculture professionals will come together April 27 through May 1 for the eighth Georgia Farm to School and Early Care and Education Summit. Joining us to talk about the event is Kimberly Della Donna, Farm to School Director at Georgia Organics, and Diana Myers, Nutrition Health Educator here at DECAL. Support the show2021-04-2032 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 29 - Applications for Georgia's Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year 2021-2022Send us a textIt’s that time again! DECAL is seeking applications for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year for 2021-2022. DECAL will select a winner from a local public school system and a winner from a private child care center. Joining us to talk about applying for Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year is Meghan McNail, Summer Transition and Outreach Manager for Georgia’s Pre-K Program; Channie Frazier is a pre-K teacher at Kids World Learning Center in Statesboro and was our Pre-K Teacher of the Year for 2016-2017; Nathan Leatherwood is a Pre-K te...2021-03-0937 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 28 - COVID-19 Guidance for Georgia Child Care Programs + Vaccine Information for Teachers and StaffSend us a textLast summer, DECAL joined the Governor’s Office and the Georgia Department of Public Health in providing COVID-19 guidance for Georgia Child Care facilities. Now, at almost a year into the pandemic and public health emergency, we have updated that guidance to support providers, teachers, and of course Georgia’s children and families. Joining us to talk about Updates and Changes to our COVID-19 Guidance for Georgia Child Care Facilities is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services, April Rogers, CCS Director of Enforcement Operations, and Ebony Thomas, Epidemiologist with the Georgia Depart...2021-03-0140 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 22 - Meet Georgia's Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year 2020-2021Send us a textFor the fifth consecutive year, DECAL has named two Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year recognizing the outstanding efforts of all Pre-K teachers and assistant teachers who implement this nationally recognized program every day. Joining us today on the podcast is Alderine Healey from the YMCA Paulding Early Learning Center in Hiram, Heather Melillo from West End Elementary School in Rome, and our own Meghan McNail, Summer Transition and Outreach Manager for Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Support the show2021-01-1953 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 21 - Infant and Early Childhood Mental HealthSend us a textLast year, the Georgia State Legislature created a new position here at DECAL designed to help support social and emotional health in a child’s critical early years of life. Despite the budget challenges caused by COVID-19, the Legislature approved an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Director for Georgia. Joining us to talk about Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health is Laura Lucas, the new Director of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health here at DECAL; and Dallas Rabig, who holds a similar position as Laura, in the state of Alabama as the...2021-01-1330 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 20 - Georgia ECE Health and Wellness Collaboration ProjectSend us a textRecently our Georgia Head Start Collaboration Office joined the American Academy of Pediatrics and child care advocates GEEARS and Voices for Georgia’s Children to study the impact of COVID-19 on Head Start programs across the state and the children and families they serve. Joining us to talk about this collaborative effort and what they learned is Dr. Terri McFadden, professor in the Department of Pediatrics of the Emory University School of Medicine and immediate past president of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Fozia Khan Eskew is director of chi...2021-01-0532 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 18 - Foundation for Early Care and Learning UpdateSend us a textDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, our Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning has been busy providing free child care scholarships to essential workers with children birth to five. They have also been helping Santa with gifts for Georgia’s Foster Children through DFCS and Clark’s Christmas Kids. Joining us from the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning is Executive Director Carrie Ashbee, along with DECAL Director of Government Relations and Special Projects Liz Young. Support the show2020-12-2220 minDECAL DownloadEpisode 7 - Georgia's Pre-K Week 2020Send us a textIt’s Pre-K Week in Georgia! For the past 28 years, Georgia’s nationally recognized Pre-K Program has provided quality early education to the state’s youngest learners. Launched in 1992 as a pilot program serving 750 four-year-olds, the lottery-funded Georgia’s Pre-K Program has laid a solid foundation for academic excellence and future success in the lives of approximately 1.6 million children. This is our tenth year partnering with Voices for Georgia’s Children. Joining us to talk about Georgia Pre-K Week is Dr. Erica Fener-Sitkoff, Executive Director at Voices for Georgia’s Children; Susan Adams, Dep...2020-10-0652 min