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Episode 18 - CAPS Family Support and 2Gen Jan 22, 2020

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When Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program moved from DFCS to DECAL, part of the restructuring was the addition of a Family Support component, working alongside Program Administration and Scholarship Administration. The new CAPS Program was charged with working with families to help them achieve self-sufficiency, beyond the need for assistance in paying for child care. Here to talk about CAPS Family Support and the 2Generation Strategy of working with both children and their families are Donna Johnson and Shawnell Johnson, co-directors of CAPS Family Support.

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Episode 17 - Inclusion and Behavior Support Helpline Jan 15, 2020

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Research tells us that, regardless of their abilities, children in high-quality child care programs are better prepared to enter school and more likely to develop healthy social and emotional skills. Here at DECAL, we’re proud of our Inclusion and Behavior Support Services Unit, and a new helpline they recently launched that makes assistance just a phone call away. Joining us today are the Inclusion and Behavior Support Regional Supervisors who help staff the helpline, Michelle Clark (west), Katie Hagan (south), and Lindsey Urry (east).

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Episode 16 - Pre-K Teachers of the Year Jan 08, 2020

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For the fourth consecutive year, DECAL has named Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year, recognizing a winner from a local public school system and a winner from a private child care center. Joining us to talk about the Teacher of the Year recognition are Heather Williams and Johnathon Hines, our 2019-2020 Pre-K Teachers of the Year. They’re joined by Meghan McNail, Summer Transition and Outreach Manager for Georgia’s Pre-K Program.

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Episode 15 - Meet the Interns Dec 18, 2019

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Since 2016, DECAL has offered paid internships to students currently enrolled in a Georgia college, university or law school with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. This semester our interns are representing Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, Rice University, and Savannah State University. Here to talk about the DECAL Internship Program is Darien Watson, Recruiter Specialist with our Human Resources Division, along with Interns Neomi Fletcher, Jessica Snelling, and David Mahone.

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Episode 14 - Family Ambassadors Dec 11, 2019

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In August, DECAL introduced a new group of Family Ambassadors to help promote school readiness among the vulnerable and underserved populations in their communities. Today we have 42 ambassadors representing 27 counties across the state. Here to talk about the Family Ambassadors is Bridget Ratajczak, Child and Family Development Supervisor; and Ann Panzica, Child and Family Development Specialist.

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Episode 13 - CAPS/Quality Rated 2020 Deadline Dec 04, 2019

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For child care providers in Georgia receiving CAPS funding, its crunch time! In order to continue to receive CAPS payments for your children and families served, you must be Quality Rated by December 31, 2020. Right now, around 54-percent of the programs receiving CAPS have been Quality Rated, and about 67-percent of children receiving CAPS are enrolled with a Quality Rated Provider, but that still leaves a lot of providers to be rated. Here to talk about the CAPS/Quality Rated 2020 Deadline are Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner over the CAPS Program, and Dr. Bentley Ponder, Deputy Commissioner of Quality Innovations and Partnerships, which includes Quality Rated.

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Episode 12 - DECAL Holiday Special Nov 27, 2019

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A special holiday episode featuring DECAL employees sharing their favorite traditions and wishes for 2020. Nutrition Health Educator Diana Meyers has suggestions on how to eat healthy through those holiday parties and dinners!

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Episode 11 - Georgia Public Library Service Nov 20, 2019

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When’s the last time you went to your local library? If it’s been awhile, you’re missing out on some great resources and, even better, in today’s digital world, you don’t even have to leave your home to visit a library. Joining us is Wendy Cornelisen, Assistant State Librarian with the Georgia Public Library Service.

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Episode 10 - Farm to Early Care and Education in Baldwin County Nov 13, 2019

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In September, Commissioner Jacobs presented the Second Annual Baby Golden Radish Award to the Baldwin County School District for creating an innovative and successful Farm to Early Care & Education Program that advances the learning and development of its Pre-K and Head Start students. Joining us to talk about Nutrition in the Baldwin County Schools and the Farm to ECE effort is Susan Nelson, Director of School Nutrition for Baldwin County School District; Lori Smith, Director of the Early Learning Center; and Diana Myers, DECAL’s Nutrition Health Educator.

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Episode 9 - Deal Center for Early Language & Literacy Nov 06, 2019

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In June 2017, a new Georgia center with a mission to improve reading skills among young children officially opened at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville. This was a $5.1 million initiative of former Governor Nathan Deal and named after his wife, Sandra Deal, who is a former schoolteacher and advocate for quality early learning. We’re joined today by Dr. Theresa Magpuri-Lavell, Executive Director of the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy.

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