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Episode 8 - Georgia's Pre-K Week Kickoff with Coy and Malcolm Oct 07, 2026

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This week we are at Building Kidz School in Roswell for the official kickoff of Georgia’s Pre-K Week, a statewide celebration of the teachers, families, partners, and young learners who make Georgia’s Pre-K Program such an important part of our communities. We’re joined by Coy Bowles, lead guitarist with Zac Brown Band and children’s author; Malcolm Mitchell, Super Bowl Champ, author, and founder of the Share the Magic Foundation; and Judy Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children.

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Episode 6 - DECAL Roadshows Oct 04, 2026

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In October, DECAL is hitting the road. In partnership with Child Trends, we will host four regional DECAL Road Shows to bring agency updates, professional learning, resources, and DECAL staff directly to child care providers across Georgia. Each roadshow will include plenary session, breakout learning opportunities, and an Exhibition Hall with representatives from nearly every DECAL division and program area. Joining us to talk about the DECAL Roadshows happening this October is Dr. Bentley Ponder, Deputy Commissioner of Quality Initiatives and Partnerships, and Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services.

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Episode 5 - Georgia's Pre-K Week 2026 Sep 24, 2026

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Each year, Georgia’s Pre-K Week gives state leaders, local officials, community partners, and families a chance to step inside Pre-K classrooms and see firsthand what quality early learning looks like. This year's observance is October 5-9, 2026. Joining us to talk about Georgia Pre-K Week is Judy Fitzgerald, Executive Director with Voices for Georgia’s Children, our longtime partner in Pre-K Week; Amy Browder, Director of Business Operations for Georgia’s Pre-K Program, and Devon Porter, Summer Transition Program and Outreach Manager.

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Episode 4 Potty Training Sep 21, 2026

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Potty training is one of those big early childhood milestones that can bring excitement, questions, and sometimes a little stress for families and caregivers. Every child develops at their own pace, and success often depends less on a child’s age and more on signs of readiness, consistency, patience, and encouragement. For many families, knowing when to start, how to respond to accidents, and how to keep the process positive can make all the difference. Joining us to talk about potty training is Thea Stevens, Manager of our Infant and Toddler Program here at DECAL; Bridget Ratajczak, our Child and Family Development Outreach Manager, and from Child Care Services, Technical Assistance Consultant Tomekia Hudson.

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Episode 3 - Quality Rated Family Support Call Center Sep 14, 2026

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Finding high quality child care is one of the most important decisions a family can make—and sometimes, one of the most overwhelming. That’s why DECAL created the Quality Rated Family Support Call Center, operating through the toll-free 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS phone line. The team recently celebrated its first anniversary. Joining us to talk about the call center is Shayna Funke, Director of Research, Partnerships & Business Supports, and Katrina Bernard, Call Center Manager.

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Episode 2 - Child Passenger Safety Sep 05, 2026

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Keeping children safe on Georgia roads starts long before the car is in motion. For parents, grandparents, child care providers, and anyone transporting young children, choosing the right car seat or booster seat and using it correctly every time is one of the most important steps we can take to prevent injuries and save lives. Joining us to talk about child passenger safety in Georgia is Tomekia Hudson, CCS Technical Assistance Consultant, Emerson Lundy, Southwest Law Enforcement Liaison with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, and Jenny Harty, longtime advocate for child passenger safety and author of Francie & Fitz Booster Buddies, children’s books promoting child passenger safety.

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Episode 1 - GaPDS Substitute Registery Sep 01, 2026

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Finding qualified substitute teachers can be one of the biggest challenges for childcare providers. When a teacher is out, programs still need to maintain safe, consistent, high-quality care for children—and that means having access to trained, dependable substitutes when they are needed most. Today on DECAL Download, we’re talking about a new resource designed to help meet that need: the GaPDS Substitute Teacher Registry. Joining us is Dr. Christi Moore, Director of Workforce Supports and Learning, and Dr. Mia Obiwo is our Workforce Policy and Process Administrator.

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Episode 49 - New GELDS Aug 24, 2026

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In June 2013 DECAL officially launched the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards, or GELDS, replacing the Georgia Early Learning Standards for children birth to 3 and the Georgia Pre-K Content Standards for four-year-olds. Now, in 2026, we are updating the GELDS designed to align early childhood standards with current research, including the Science of Reading, while continuing to support the whole child. Joining us to talk more about the GELDS update is Jan Duke, Georgia’s Pre-K Program Instructional Learning Manager and Kristen Arnold, Workforce Development Specialist.

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Episode 48 - Governor’s Office of Education & Workforce Strategy Aug 17, 2026

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Today we’re talking about a major step forward in how Georgia connects education, workforce development, and long-term economic opportunity. Effective July 1, 2026, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement officially became the Governor’s Office of Education and Workforce Strategy, or GOEWS. This new office builds on GOSA’s legacy of education accountability, research, and programs like the Governor’s Honors Program for a more coordinated approach to preparing Georgians for the jobs and opportunities of the future. Joining us to talk more about the Governor’s Office of Education and Workforce Strategy is Fran Dundore, who was appointed by Governor Kemp as the agency’s first Executive Director.

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Episode 47 - Georgia Public Library Service Aug 09, 2026

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This week we’re focused on the Georgia Public Library Service where a transition in taking place. After more than a decade of service, Julie Walker has retired and Angela Stanley has been appointed to succeed her as State Librarian and Vice Chancellor for Libraries & Archives. On this episode, we talk with them both!

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