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Episode 40 - Vaccine Update Jun 01, 2021

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As the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines continues and availability improves, the focus is beginning to shift to vaccinating children, ages 12-15, and possibly younger in the near future. There has also been a change in CDC guidance on the use of masks for those who are fully vaccinated. What impact will that have on COVID guidance for Georgia child care? Joining us on the podcast today is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services, and Dr. Georgina Peacock who currently serves as the Georgia Department of Health Chief Medical Officer as a Center for Disease Control Assignee.

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Episode 39 - Look Again 2021 May 25, 2021

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For the eighth consecutive year, DECAL is calling for families and caregivers to increase awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. Joining us to talk about our annual Look Again campaign and ways to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke are Dana Morrison and Rhonda Parker, both directors of field operations with Child Care Services here at DECAL; and Lisa Dawson, Director of the Injury Prevention Program for the Georgia Department of Public Health.

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Episode 38 - DECAL Scholars 20th Anniversary May 18, 2021

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This year is the 20th anniversary of the DECAL Scholars Program that provides financial and educational support to our early care and education workforce. The program is known for providing scholarships to assist with educational expenses, awards when you earn an ECE credential or degree, and incentives which provide a salary boost when you earn your entry level credential or higher education degree. As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, DECAL will recognize two Scholars of the Year…one from a four-year college and one from a technical college. Joining us to talk about DECAL Scholars and the 20th anniversary is Brandi Swain from CARE Solutions; Barbara McWethy our Workforce Support Manager; and Carrie Ashbee, executive director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning.

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Episode 37 - Update on POWER Supplemental Payments May 11, 2021

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Starting May 17, applications will be open for the $1,000 POWER Supplemental Payments. The payments were announced earlier this year by Governor Brian Kemp and Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs…a one-time, $1,000 bonus payment to some 65,000 early learning professionals and staff. The bonuses will be funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Joining us to talk about POWER supplemental payments is Christi Moore, Director of Professional Learning here at DECAL; Barb McWethy is Workforce Support Manager; and Nina Bryant-Hunter, Early Childhood Center Director at the Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority.

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Episode 36 - Preparing for Kindergarten May 04, 2021

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This school year has been challenging …however before you know it, the 2021-2022 school year will begin. We are hearing from families who have concerns about whether their children are ready for the upcoming school year. Today we are going to focus on the transition to Kindergarten and what families can be doing now to prepare for a successful transition. Joining us to talk about the transition from Georgia’s Pre-K Program to Kindergarten is Faith Duncan, Director of Georgia’s Pre-K Program; Jessica Cobert, Mikaela Fitzpatrick, and Jennifer Robison, kindergarten teachers with the Gwinnett County School System,; and Joslin Gumbs, a Fulton County kindergarten teacher.

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Episode 35 - Children's Mental Health Week Apr 27, 2021

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In May, for the first time, DECAL will celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week as a reminder for all of 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 is Laura Lucas, our new Director of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health here at DECAL, and State Representative Katie Dempsey who represents Rome and Northwest Georgia and is Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and a House Study Committee on Infant and Toddler Social and Emotional Health.

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Episode 34 - Georgia Farm to School and Early Care and Education Summit Apr 20, 2021

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Educators, 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.

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Episode 33 - Aspen Policy Acceleration Partnership Apr 13, 2021

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DECAL and the Technical College System of Georgia have received a $150,000 grant from the Aspen Institute to increase economic mobility and well-being for students who are parents. Joining us to talk about the Aspen Policy Acceleration Partnership is Donna Johnson, Family Support Director for Development and Partnerships with Georgia’s CAPS Program, and Cayanna Good, Assistant Commissioner for Adult Education with TCSG.

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Episode 32 - Vaccines for Child Care Workforce Mar 24, 2021

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On March 8, all Georgia Pre-K teachers, child care teachers, and child care staff in programs with a license or exemption from DECAL became eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Since then, teachers and staff have been flocking to nine mass vaccination sites from Clarksville to Savannah as well as local health departments and pharmacies to get vaccinated. On today’s podcast, we’re going to tackle some of the frequently asked questions we are hearing from the child care workforce. Joining us to talk about COVID-19 vaccines for early education teachers and staff is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services, and Dr. Georgina Peacock who currently serves as the Georgia Department of Health Chief Medical Officer as a Center for Disease Control Assignee. She also oversees the CDC Vaccine Implementation Unit.

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Episode 31 - STABLE Round 3 Mar 23, 2021

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Beginning March 22, all licensed Georgia child care providers may apply for a third round of Short Term Assistance Benefit for Licensed Entities (STABLE) payments from DECAL. Funding for these payments comes from the federal CARES Act and part of our ongoing efforts to support early child care providers still struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining us to talk about Round 3 of STABLE payments and how you can apply is Woody Dover, Enterprise Project Management Director here at DECAL.

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