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Today, we're discussing the pivotal changes and initiatives that are reshaping literacy training in Georgia. Beginning July 1, all child care providers will be required to obtain at least 2 hours of state-approved language and literacy training annually. This move underscores DECAL’s commitment to enhancing language and literacy outcomes for even our youngest learners. Joining us to talk about DECAL’s language and literacy efforts is Jennifer Bridgeman, Director of Process and Policy in our Child Care Services Division, and Dr. Christi Moore is Director of Workforce Supports and Learning.
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This week we’re diving into an impactful program designed for early care and education professionals called Physical Activity Learning Sessions, or PALS. This training initiative is centered on enhancing the knowledge of physical activity best practices for children from birth to five years old. Here to talk about the transformative potential of PALS is Diana Myers, Nutrition and Physical Activity Supervisor here at DECAL.
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In 2024, film and television productions spent $2.6 billion in Georgia. If you’re a parent or know someone with young children who want to get into the world of TV and movies, today’s episode is for you. Whether it’s a background role or even the start of something bigger, acting in movies and TV can be an awarding experience, but it’s important to know how to get involved in the right way. Joining us to talk more about TV and filmmaking here in Georgia is Tess Hammock, an expert in the entertainment industry and the host of Casting Call with Tess Hammock seen on FOX 5’s Good Day Atlanta.
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DECAL will celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week in Georgia May 5th – 9th, as we have done for the last five years during the first full week of May. Similar to Georgia’s Pre-K Week, and Inclusive Early Learning Week, this special week reminds 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 our own, Laura Lucas, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Director at DECAL and our guests: Annie Stewart, Child and Adolescent Clinician, and Gloria Julio the Director of Play Therapy, both from Centerville’s One Stop Program at View Point Health.
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Licensed Family Child Care Learning Homes and Child Care Learning Centers in Georgia who two or three-star Quality Rated are eligible for grants aimed at fostering early language and literacy skills of infants and toddlers. The LITTLE grants, standing for Lifting Infants and Toddlers Through Language-Rich Environments, equip providers with increased knowledge and skills in building responsive relationships, and developing and maintaining a social, emotional, and intellectual climate. Joining us to talk about LITTLE grants, as well as other services available through our Infant Toddler Specialists, is Thea Stevens, Infant Toddler Program Manager; Savannah Ennis who is an Infant Toddler Specialist for the southeast region, and Jewell Moore, First Steps Infant/Toddler Center in Vidalia, a previous LITTLE grantee.
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Today we are diving into a topic that impacts just about everyone in this age where technology is a part of our day-to-day lives. That topic is how to protect our “personally identifiable information”, also known as PII and application security. From financial transactions to healthcare records, protecting ourselves in the digital world has become increasingly important. Joining us this week to talk about protecting your personally identifiable information is Dennis Brice, Chief Information Officer at DECAL, and Rahda Datla, our Chief Technology and Security Information Officer. With their experience and knowledge, we will discuss threats, solutions, and steps that everyone can take to protect their digital identity.
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Recently administrators and advocates for early childhood education visited the State Capitol where the House and Senate proclaimed that Georgia’s Pre-K Week will be observed October 6-10, 2025, with legislators visiting classrooms to read to our young learners. Joining us this week on the podcast is Judy Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children, Meghan McNail is Director of Pre-K Instruction and Regional Operations, Liz Young is our Director of Government Relations and Special Projects, plus special audio from our day at the Capitol, proclamations in the House and Senate, and interviews with legislators in the hallways.
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Today, we're excited to share significant changes happening within DECAL’s Community Partnership Team. In a bold move to enhance collaboration and engagement, the team is shifting its outreach strategy from a broad regional approach to a more focused, subregion-specific model. Joining us to discuss our Community Partnership Team is Jill Taylor, Director of Community Partnerships and 2Gen Outreach, and Dajuana Robinson, Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager.
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On this week’s podcast, we’re thrilled to announce that DECAL’s own Workforce Supports Supervisor Angela Shelton has been accepted into the 2025 cohort of the National Association of State Leaders in Early Education (NASLEE) Leadership Academy. This prestigious 12-month executive leadership program is specifically designed for state early education administrators. Angela joins us to talk about this great honor. Then, Bethany Whetzel, Treasury Program Director with the Georgia Office of the State Treasurer, will provide details on this year’s Pre-K to College Sweepstakes!
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The CAPS 2Gen Student Parent Pilot is an innovative initiative launched by DECAL in collaboration with the Technical College System of Georgia and WorkSource Georgia OneStops. This pilot program focuses on supporting the Student Parent Priority Group by addressing barriers to educational success through a holistic, family-centered approach. Joining us to talk about the CAPS 2Gen Student Parent Pilot is Amy Roys, CAPS Director for Developments and Partnerships, and Carolyn Morkeh, CAPS Student Parent 2Gen Manager.
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Today we are discussing a critical issue: preventing choking in childcare settings. Choking is a leading cause of injury and even death in young children, but it is preventable with the right knowledge and practice. Joining us to talk about the prevention of choking in child care is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services; April Rogers, CCS Director of Enforcement Operations; and Diana Myers, Nutrition and Physical Activity Supervisor.
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If you’re passionate about teaching in Georgia’s Pre-K Program, making a difference in the lives of young learners, and want to be recognized for your hard work, this episode is for you! DECAL is now accepting applications for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year for 2025-2026. Joining us to talk about our Pre-K Teachers of the Year, the application process, and maybe some tips for standing out from the crowd is Devon Porter, Summer Transition and Outreach Manager for Georgia’s Pre-K Program.
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For the fourth consecutive year, DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning are recognizing three individuals as Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year for 2024-2025. Joining us to talk about serving as Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year is Zina Hadjaz from The Quadrilingual Academy in Smyrna, Infant Teacher of the Year (0-15 months), Laura Silva from My Little Geniuses in Marietta, Toddler Teacher of the Year (15-36 months), and Samantha Mullins from Our House at Central in Atlanta, Preschool Teacher of the Year (36-48 months). Also joining us is Miranda Murphy, Outreach Project Manager for Practice and Support Services, and Laura Wagner, Executive Director for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning.
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The 2025 Georgia General Assembly is in session and one of the heavy lifts, as usual, is the Governor’s budget for FY2026. Joining us to talk about the proposed FY2026 state budget and its impact on DECAL is Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration.
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This week we’re diving into an exciting new addition to one of Atlanta’s cultural gems. In January, the Atlanta History Center unveiled a brand-new 5,000 square foot interactive exhibit where children ages 1-8 can experience the city through play, exploration, and story telling. Joining us to talk about the new Goizueta Children’s Experience is Shatavia Elder, Vice President of Education at the Atlanta History Center.
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The Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning, in partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Public Education, is excited to announce the second round of funding for the Early Literacy Alignment Mini Grants. These grants aim to support local school systems and child care programs in their efforts to enhance early literacy outcomes by providing targeted professional development for educators on the science of reading. Joining us today are Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, and Jaclyn Colona, Director of Grant Strategies at the Georgia Foundation for Public Education.
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Children in inclusive high-quality childcare programs learn to be accepting of others and knowledgeable about the unique abilities of others. When childcare providers offer inclusive care, they meet the educational needs of each child allowing everyone to thrive. That’s why every year in February we celebrate Inclusive Early Learning Week. Here to talk about the importance of inclusion in early childcare and Inclusive Early Learning Week are Inclusion and Behavior Support Supervisor Margaret Freeman and Specialist Esther Whitaker; Rachel Robertson, Georgia’s Pre-K Teacher of the Year; and parents Jim and Lauren Tiller. Inclusive Early Learning Week is February 10-14, 2025.
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Homelessness is a growing concern in Georgia, with close to 10-thousand people across the state facing housing instability due to poverty, rising housing costs, unemployment, and systemic barriers to affordable housing. The impact of homelessness on children is profound and our CAPS Program has been working with child care providers to better understand how to serve families facing homelessness. Joining us this week to talk about homelessness and child care in Georgia is Ann Panzica, CAPS Provider Relations Education and Outreach Manager, Rachel Fowler, CAPS Provider Relations Education and Outreach Coordinator, and Olivia Kyle, CAPS Policy and Process Improvement Administrator.
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Today we’re shining a spotlight on the next generation of leaders and innovators who are making their mark in early care, education, as well as other areas. We are talking with our amazing interns….bright, passionate individuals who have been bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to support Georgia’s youngest learners and their families. Joining us today is Aixmar Parra, a sophomore at Oxford College of Emory University, Jaslin Stanley, from Georgia State University, and Kayla Little, a student at Kennesaw State University. Also with us is Mark Dock, Senior Manager of Human Resources.
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A grant administered by DECAL and the Technical College System of Georgia is helping identify and pay for the tuition of adult education students looking to work in early childhood education…a field that has seen a severe shortage of qualified workers. It’s called the Early Childhood Care and Education Pipeline Grant and Commissioner, so far it has supported close to 200 students. Joining us to talk about the Pipeline Grant is Dr. Christi Moore, Director of Workforce Supports and Learning; TCSG Executive Director of Adult Education Bobby Creech, and Sescily Bell of Covington, a working mother of seven, and student at Georgia Piedmont Technical College who recently benefited from the grant.
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