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Episode 6 - Meet Laura Evans Nov 28, 2023

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Early care and education professionals in Georgia have a true partner in Georgia Public Broadcasting. GPB’s education division provides FREE digital media and content for Georgia educators and students, starting with preschool and Pre-K, and going up through middle and high school. They are developing some innovative and groundbreaking programs with app and web-based learning for children as young as four years old. Joining us on this week’s podcast is Laura Evans who recently became Vice President of Education for Georgia Public Broadcasting.

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Episode 5 - All Staff Meeting 2023 Nov 19, 2023

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This week’s podcast is a little unusual. Normally we might talk with one, two, or three guests. Today we have around 700 special guests. We are at the DECAL 2023 All Staff Meeting at the Cobb Galleria Centre. It is our first in-person All Staff Meeting since 2019 before the pandemic. Come join us!

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Episode 4 - CAPS Provider Management and Payment System Nov 14, 2023

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Some big changes in store for Georgia’s CAPS Program beginning November 15. The program that assists low-income families with the cost of child care will now administer the provider management function of the CAPS Program…work previously performed by our contractor, Maximus. We’re making these changes to provide more streamlined services and to increase service levels for the child care providers who support CAPS parents and children. Here to explain the changes happening at CAPS is Kay Mayfield, CAPS Provider Relations Director, and Aleshia Golden, CAPS Provider Relations Quality Assurance and Payment Manager.

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Episode 3 - Georgia Literacy Council Nov 07, 2023

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It’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 Bingham, a member of the council who also serves as director of the Urban Child Study Center and a professor in the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Georgia State University.

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Episode 2 - Meet our 2023-2024 Georgia's Pre-K Teachers of the Year Oct 31, 2023

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Last month, two Georgia Pre-K teachers had surprise visits from Commissioner Jacobs, CALi, and other special guests when it was announced that they are our new Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year for 2023-2024. The public-school winner is Charlotte Richards from Chattahoochee County Pre-K in Cussetta and the private child care center winner is Merodie Brown from New Odyssey for Children in Hoschton. They join us for this week's episode of DECAL Download.

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Episode 1 - School-Age Child Care in Georgia Oct 24, 2023

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When you think about child care in Georgia, you probably picture infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and Pre-K students. But a large number of families rely on child care for their school-age children attending elementary and even middle school. In these cases, child care providers offer homework help, tutors, STEAM activities, health & fitness, character development, crafts, and more. Joining us to talk about school-age children served by Georgia’s child care industry is Michelle Garris, DECAL School Age and Youth Program Specialist, and Brittany Sams, CCS Director of Administrative Services and Special Operations.

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Episode 50 - Child Care Tuition Assistance for Early Educators Oct 14, 2023

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This 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.

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Episode 49 - Open Enrollment 2023 Oct 10, 2023

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With the fall comes college football, pumpkin spice lattes, and of course Open Enrollment here at DECAL and with the State of Georgia. Open Enrollment begins October 16, 2023, and ends November 4, 2023, at 12:59 a.m. ET for active eligible employees and COBRA beneficiaries. Open Enrollment is a time to review, enroll, make changes to your Flexible Benefits plan options, including dental, vision and life insurance coverage. Joining us to talk about Open Enrollment here at DECAL is HR Operations Supervisor Sabrina Henry.

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Episode 48 - Reporting Concerns with a Child Care Program Oct 03, 2023

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There are over 4,400 licensed child care programs in Georgia….that’s child care learning centers and family child care learning homes. The vast majority are in good standing with DECAL, meeting our rules and regulations for health and safety. But what should you do if you have concerns about your child care program? Joining us to talk about reporting concerns with your child care program is April Rogers, Director of Enforcement Operations in our Child Care Services Division, and Tahishe Smith, Intake Unit Manager.

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Episode 47 - Georgia's Pre-K Week 2023 Sep 26, 2023

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This 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).

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