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Episode 30 - CCS Child Care Inspections Apr 03, 2019

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DECAL licenses and monitors around 4,600 child care programs in Georgia to ensure that they provide safe, healthy, and nurturing environments. On average, our Child Care Services consultants make 12,000 unannounced annual visits…a minimum of two per provider each year…to inspect and support licensed child care programs. Today, we will take you on a "walk through" of one of these inspections. Our guests are Northwest Regional Manager for Child Care Services Marsha Ruiz Crosby and Director of Research Randy Hudgins.

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Episode 29 - Meet Deputy Commissioner for System Reform Dr. Bentley Ponder Mar 27, 2019

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There have been some recent changes in our System Reform Division, the home of Quality Rated. Former Deputy Commissioner for System Reform Kristin Bernhard accepted a position with The Ounce of Prevention Fund in Chicago. Former DECAL Director of Research and Policy Analysis, Dr. Bentley Ponder, will follow Kristin in this important role. Learn more about Bentley and his 14 years working here at DECAL.

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Episode 28 - Summer Food Service Program Mar 20, 2019

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Each summer here in Georgia, eligible organizations help DECAL and the US Department of Agriculture serve healthy meals to children when school is not in session. Our Summer Food Service Program reimburses these organizations for the cost of providing free meals and again this year we are looking for sponsors. Our guests are Sonja Adams, Nutritional Services Director of Provider Services, and Cindy Kicklighter, Nutrition Marketing and Outreach Manager.

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Episode 27 - Path from Pre-K to College Sweepstakes Mar 13, 2019

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It’s never too early to be thinking about your child’s college education...even if your child is in Georgia’s Pre-K Program. That’s the idea behind the Path from Pre-K to College Sweepstakes, happening March 15 to April 30 and sponsored by DECAL and the Path2College 529 Plan. Our special guest is Mitch Seabaugh, Executive Director of the Path2College 529 Plan.

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Episode 26 - Georgia's Professional Development System (GaPDS) Mar 06, 2019

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Here at DECAL, we’re committed to ensuring that Georgia's youngest citizens receive high quality services to prepare them for school and for life. To help meet this commitment, we’ve developed the Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS) where early childhood educators can create and maintain a profile and search and register for the latest training. Recently GaPDS was upgraded to Phase 2 making it better than ever!

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Episode 25 - Resources from GPB Education Feb 27, 2019

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For decades, Georgia Public Broadcasting has been the perfect teacher’s aide welcomed in classrooms all across the state. Now with robust content across all of their platforms…on air and online….there are even more resources for early childhood educators. Our special guest is Laura Evans, director of education at GPB, where she plans and implements education projects and oversees educational content for teachers and students. Of course, we think she’s great because prior to that she was an instructional learning manager here at DECAL!

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Episode 24 - Georgia's Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year Feb 20, 2019

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For the fourth consecutive year, we’re seeking applications for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year. Since 2016, DECAL has recognized a winner from a local public school system and a private child care center. Joining us to talk about this program are Meghan McNail, Summer Transition and Outreach Manager for Georgia’s Pre-K Program, and our 2018-2019 Teachers of the Year Becky Haden and Stephanie Westhafer.

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Episode 23 - Celebrating Inclusive Early Learning Week Feb 13, 2019

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All this week, the State of Georgia and all of us here at the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning are celebrating Inclusive Early Learning Week. It’s our effort to increase public awareness and advocacy for inclusion…and to celebrate inclusive classrooms here in Georgia. Here to talk about this special week and how you can get involved is Brandy Lochetta, Program Director, Inclusion and Behavioral Support for DECAL; Veronica Thomas, Program Manager, Inclusion and Behavioral Support; and Shawnell Johnson, Quality Improvement, and Training Unit Director from our Child Care Services Division.

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Episode 22 - Developmental Milestones Feb 06, 2019

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From rolling over and crawling…to walking and playing, your child’s developmental milestones are something worth celebrating! But they also offer important clues about your child’s overall development. On this episode we talk with Bridget Ratajczak, Child Development Specialist in DECAL's Instructional Supports Division.

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Episode 21 - Planning for Inclusive Early Learning Week Jan 30, 2019

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The National Association for the Education of Young Children says that early childhood inclusion means that every infant and young child and their family has the right...regardless of ability…to participate in activities as full members of families, classrooms, communities, and society. Here in Georgia, we celebrate Inclusive Early Learning Week February 11-15, 2019. This week we talk with Brandy Lochetta, Program Director, Inclusion and Behavioral Support for DECAL, along with Michelle Clark, one of our Inclusion Specialists.

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