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Episode 10 - Core Rules Oct 27, 2020

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DECAL is the state agency that licenses and regulates child care programs in Georgia using a system that focuses on certain “core rules” within 15 categories ranging from diapering and discipline to supervision, transportation, and criminal records checks. Based on research, the core rules represent critical areas to consider when determining compliance and the impact on the health and safety of children. But how much do you know about the core rules? Here to talk about core rules and their importance in keeping our children healthy and safe is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner for Child Care Services; Shannon Carroll, Technical Assistance Coordinator for Child Care Services; and Morgan Stahl, one of our CCS consultants.

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Episode 9 - Safe Sleep and Open Enrollment Oct 20, 2020

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Over 3,500 infants die annually in the United States from sleep-related deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome. The issue disproportionately impacts families of color, especially black, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and low-income families. With that in mind, October is Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month and DECAL is joining Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to remind caregivers and parents.

Joining us to talk about Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner for Child Care Services here at DECAL; Candace Gilbert is Quality Improvement and Training Coordinator with Child Care Services; Malissa Champion is a CCS Consultant serving Northeast Georgia; Rachel Brown is a CCS Consultant in the Northwest Region, and Michelle Walker is a pediatric nurse serving as Manager of Child Advocacy Programs with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
We are also joined by Sabrina Henry from DECAL's HR Division with an update on 2021 Open Enrollment.

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Episode 8 - Chat with Commissioner Jacobs Oct 13, 2020

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The pandemic continues, Georgia’s Pre-K Program is up and running with a few different looks, and we’re supporting school age children doing virtual learning with child care scholarships. Plenty of things going on…and it seemed like a good time for one of our sit-down chats with Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs. Join us as we discuss a variety of topics facing DECAL and early childhood education in Georgia.

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Episode 7 - Georgia's Pre-K Week 2020 Oct 06, 2020

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It’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, Deputy Commissioner for Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports; Nicole Cook, one of our outstanding Pre-K Specialists; and Coy Bowles, lead guitarist from the Zac Brown Band and author of “Behind the Little Red Door” and his latest, “Behind the Little Red Door: Can You Touch a Color?”

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Episode 6 - Special: WSB Radio Interview with Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs Oct 05, 2020

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It's Georgia's Pre-K Week and Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs talks about it with WSB Radio's Scott Slade on Atlanta's Morning News.

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Episode 5 - Free Your Feels Sep 29, 2020

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Georgia youth are returning to school either virtually or in an environment that is drastically different from the one they left in March. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, our kids were already facing a mental health crisis – one that is now exacerbated by these uncertain times. Voices for Georgia’s Children is partnering with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to raise awareness about youth mental health in a campaign called “Free Your Feels.”

Joining us to talk about “Free Your Feels” and the importance of children exploring their true feelings is Dr. Erica Fener-Sitkoff, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children, and Layla Fitzgerald, Program Manager of the Office of Children, Young Adults, and Families with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.

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Episode 4 - Census 2020 Sep 22, 2020

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With the deadline to respond to Census 2020 rapidly approaching, participation is extremely important. The results will be felt by Georgians for the next ten years. At stake are billions of dollars used for education, public health, infrastructure, and other related areas. The process is quick, easy, and confidential but most importantly it is making sure that everyone counts.
Joining us to talk about the 2020 Census and how Georgia is doing are the co-chairs of the Georgia Complete Count Committee Anna Wrigley-Miller, director of planning, evaluation, research, and communications with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, and Rusty Haygood, Deputy Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Also joining us is Jessie Bruno, Research and Policy Analyst here at DECAL, who has been working with the Complete Count Committee.

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Episode 3 - Developmental Milestones Website Sep 15, 2020

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From smiling and taking those first steps, to waving bye-bye and even temper tantrums, starting this month, we’ve got a new resource for families to track the developmental milestones of their children. Joining us to talk about the new Developmental Milestones website are Bridgett Ratajczak, Child and Family Development Supervisor at DECAL, and Ann Panzica, Child and Family Development Training Specialist.

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Episode 2 - Georgia's SOLVE Program Sep 08, 2020

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If you’re the parent of a school age child, ages 5 to 12, in a public school using all virtual learning, DECAL may have some financial assistance for you to help pay for child care. It’s called the SOLVE Program, which stands for Supporting Onsite Learning for Virtual Education. Joining us to talk about the SOLVE Program and how families can apply is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner for the CAPS Program, and of course Commissioner Jacobs who has been working with the Governor’s Office to design and launch this program for children and families here in Georgia.

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Episode 1 - Georgia's Pre-K Teachers of the Year Sep 01, 2020

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It may be traditional, hybrid, or full distance learning…but Georgia’s Pre-K Program is back for the 2020-2021 school year. Over 3,800 classes at more than 1,800 locations all across the state. So how are things going? For the best information straight from the Pre-K classroom we’re talking today with our Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year, Heather Williams from Central Georgia Technical College's Larry O'Neal Child Development Center (CDC) in Warner Robins, and Johnathon Hines from the Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology in DeKalb County. We’re also joined by Meghan McNail, Summer Transition and Outreach Manager for Georgia’s Pre-K Program.

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