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Episode 48 - CCS Virtual Visits Jun 24, 2020

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Each year, DECAL’s Child Care Services consultants conduct more than 14,500 visits to more than 4,500 licensed child care programs in Georgia to ensure they are caring for children in safe, healthy, and nurturing environments. But when COVID-19 hit Georgia in March and the number of open child care programs dropped to 30-percent the scope of those visits changed. Here to talk about Virtual Visits in Georgia Child Care Programs is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner for Child Care Services, and Directors of CCS Field Operations Dana Morrison and Rhonda Parker.

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Episode 47 - Summer Food Service Program Jun 17, 2020

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As school districts across Georgia announced system-wide closures to help minimize the spread of COVID-19, many families and advocates were concerned that children who rely on schools to provide healthy meals would be deprived of critically needed nutrition. DECAL’s Nutrition Services works year-round to mitigate food insecurity among Georgia’s children through the Child and Adult Food Service Program and the Summer Food Service Program. Joining us to talk about how the division is helping to ensure that the most vulnerable children continue to have access to meals during the pandemic is Tamika Boone, Director of Nutrition Services, and Cindy Kicklighter, Manager of Nutrition Marketing and Outreach.

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Episode 46 - Special: Georgia Focus from Georgia News Network Jun 16, 2020

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Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs talks with Host John Clark about the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and current issues facing early child care and education in Georgia.

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Episode 45 - Path2College 529 Plan "My Life's Dream" Challenge Jun 10, 2020

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It’s never too early to be thinking about your child’s college education. Even if your child is in one of Georgia’s licensed family childcare learning homes, child care learning centers, or Georgia’s Pre-K Program. And now, here’s something fun to do with the kids that could entertain and help secure their future! It’s called "My Life’s Dream" Challenge and here to talk about it is Mitch Seabaugh, Executive Director of the Path2College 529 Plan.

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Episode 44 - Summer Transition Program Jun 03, 2020

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For the eleventh year, DECAL is offering a Summer Transition Program for students preparing to enter Georgia’s Pre-K Program and Kindergarten. However, this year, the program will be a little different due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Joining us to talk about the Summer Transition Program is Jackie Shivers, Director of Quality Support for Georgia’s Pre-K Program, and Meghan McNail, Summer Transition Program and Outreach Manager.

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Episode 43 - Reopening Child Care in Georgia May 27, 2020

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With many businesses reopening here in Georgia, the need for child care is on the rise so parents and families can return to their jobs. Family Child Care Learning Homes and Child Care Learning Centers are operating under some strict guidelines that include smaller class sizes, temperature checks at the door, and meals served in classrooms. Joining us to discuss the child care comeback and what parents can expect is Dana Morrison, Director of Field Operations in our Child Care Services Division, Melissa Herndon, Southeast Regional Manager for Child Care Services, and Nadia Davis, a parent to two children enrolled with Primrose Alpharetta East.

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Episode 42 - Toddler Time At Home May 20, 2020

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The age-old expression says, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” That was the case in April when schools and many child care programs closed due to COVID-19 and families moved to online learning for their children. Here at DECAL, we introduced Georgia’s Pre-K At Home for four and five year olds, and Toddler Time At Home for children 12 to 36 months old. Joining us to talk about Toddler Time At Home is Bridget Ratajczak, Child and Family Development Supervisor here at DECAL, along with Tiffany Grindle, one of our Infant Toddler Specialists. Also two parents, Dr. Dana Rickman, mom to 3-year-old twins Alexandra and Riley, from the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, and Randy Hudgins, dad to 8-month-old Everett, and also Director of Research in our Quality Innovations and Partnerships Division.

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Episode 41 - Planning for the Child Care Comeback May 12, 2020

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Across the nation, COVID-19 has taken its toll on the childcare industry…either shutting down programs completely or reducing enrollment capacity due to CDC and health department requirements. Now many programs here in Georgia are gradually reopening and trying to determine how best to use federal aid issued through the CARES Act. To assist these programs, DECAL and Quality Care for Children have been hosting a series of webinars to help with financial success after COVID-19 and guidance on using the CARES funding. Joining us to talk about the webinars and some important advice for childcare programs is Monique Reynolds, Director of Early Childhood Education Business Support Services with Quality Care for Children, and Laura Wagner, Community Outreach and Partnership Director for Quality Innovations and Partnerships here at DECAL.

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Episode 40 - Special: WSB Radio Interview with Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs May 11, 2020

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Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs is interviewed by Scott Slade for WSB Radio's Atlanta's Morning News.

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Episode 39 - STABLE Payments and CAPS Essential Service Workforce May 06, 2020

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Last Friday was a big day in our efforts to help Georgia child care providers and families respond to the impact of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Beginning May 1, all licensed Georgia child care providers are invited to apply for STABLE payments. These payments represent the first phase of administering $144 million Georgia received under the federal CARES Act. Also on Friday, we opened up Tier Two of the CAPS Essential Services Workforce to include those who work within the food supply chain like grocery stores, farming, and food delivery and pick-up. Joining us is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner for Georgia’s CAPS Program, and Woody Dover, Enterprise Project Management Director here at DECAL.

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