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Episode 27 - Path from Pre-K to College Sweepstakes

March 13, 2019 07:00 - 17 minutes - 8.08 MB

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. Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

Episode 26 - Georgia's Professional Development System (GaPDS)

March 06, 2019 09:00 - 18 minutes - 8.42 MB

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! Support the Show.

Episode 25 - Resources from GPB Education

February 27, 2019 09:00 - 20 minutes - 9.55 MB

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 a...

Episode 24 - Georgia's Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year

February 20, 2019 08:00 - 27 minutes - 12.6 MB

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. Support the Show.

Episode 23 - Celebrating Inclusive Early Learning Week

February 13, 2019 09:00 - 20 minutes - 9.62 MB

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 Suppo...

Episode 22 - Developmental Milestones

February 06, 2019 09:00 - 21 minutes - 10.1 MB

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. Support the Show.

Episode 21 - Planning for Inclusive Early Learning Week

January 30, 2019 09:00 - 17 minutes - 8.08 MB

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 Cl...

Episode 20 - Georgia's Head Start Collaboration Office

January 23, 2019 09:00 - 23 minutes - 10.6 MB

Since 1965, Head Start has offered comprehensive services to children and families to ensure that children, especially those of low income, are healthy and ready to learn. Learn more about Georgia's Head Start Collaboration Office and meet Director Allison Setterlind. Support the Show.

Episode 19 - Georgia News Network interview with Carrie Ashbee

January 22, 2019 05:00 - 4 minutes - 1.88 MB

Carrie Ashbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, is interviewed by John Clark with Georgia News Network about DECAL's efforts to assist child care programs in Southwest Georgia impacted by Hurricane Michael. Support the Show.

Episode 18 - Preview of 2019 Georgia General Assembly

January 16, 2019 11:00 - 30 minutes - 14.1 MB

It’s a big week here on Capitol Hill as the 2019 Georgia General Assembly convenes. There’s a new governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, over 30 new house members, some new senators, new committee chairs. Always an exciting time when the Legislature is in session…even more so this year with the 155th Georgia General Assembly. We'll discuss with Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs, DECAL Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration Rian Ringsrud, Director of Government Relations Li...

Episode 17 - A Chat with First Lady Sandra Deal

January 09, 2019 05:00 - 27 minutes - 12.9 MB

On November 30, 2018, Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal celebrated a milestone in her eight-year commitment to serving our state’s youngest learners and their families. On that day, she visited her 1,000th school since Governor Deal took office in 2011. Now, as the Deals prepare to leave office, we grab a few minutes with Mrs. Deal at the Governor's Mansion. Support the Show.

Episode 16 - A Chat with Commissioner Jacobs

January 02, 2019 05:00 - 13 minutes - 6.4 MB

Happy New Year! It is officially 2019, and we thought we would look back on 2018 today…with a look ahead to 2019 as well. From CAPS and Child Care Services...to Georgia's Pre-K Program and Quality Rated...plus Nutrition, Inclusion, the 2019 Legislative Session, and more! Support the Show.

Episode 15 - Update on Quality Rated

December 26, 2018 11:00 - 26 minutes - 12 MB

In January, 2012, Georgia launched a voluntary system to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education programs. Within a year, Quality Rated had over 1,100 early learning programs participating and that number has continued to grow. Let's get an update from Deputy Commissioner for System Reform Kristin Bernhard and and Quality Rated Policy and Partnership Director Laura Wagner. Support the Show.

Episode 14 - DECAL Online with CIO Craig Detweiler

December 19, 2018 05:00 - 20 minutes - 9.6 MB

There was a time when to interact with a government agency you had to travel to a physical location. The Internet has made that a thing of the past and now DECAL's virtual front door can be found on your laptop or even smartphone at www.decal.ga.gov. For parents, providers, and the general public, there are so many ways to reach DECAL without leaving your home or office. Learn more in this conversation with Chief Information Officer Craig Detweiler. Support the Show.

Episode 13 - Response to Hurricane Michael

December 12, 2018 11:00 - 15 minutes - 7.08 MB

In October, Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida panhandle and then slammed into parts of Southwest and Central Georgia. The hurricane had a major impact on Georgia’s cotton, pecan, and timber crops and caused structural damage to homes and businesses, including child care programs across some 20 counties. We were able to help children and families through DECAL Nutrition Services and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning. Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

Episode 13 - Response to Hurricane Michael

December 12, 2018 11:00 - 15 minutes - 7.08 MB

In October, Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida panhandle and then slammed into parts of Southwest and Central Georgia. The hurricane had a major impact on Georgia’s cotton, pecan, and timber crops and caused structural damage to homes and businesses, including child care programs across some 20 counties. We were able to help children and families through DECAL Nutrition Services and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning. Support the Show.

Episode 12 - Customer Service

December 05, 2018 05:00 - 16 minutes - 7.6 MB

While many of our DECAL team members interact with providers and parents face-to-face in the field, we take a lot of phone calls every day across all of our divisions and always strive to provide excellent customer service. Today we are talking with two members of our team known for providing excellent customer service: Renee Lind is Scholarship Administration Manager for Special Teams in the CAPS Program and Abby Mozo is a User Support Representative with the Georgia Professional Developme...

Episode 11 - Quality Rated Grants

November 28, 2018 05:00 - 13 minutes - 6.19 MB

DECAL partners with Quality Rated Child Care Providers around the state to offer Quality Rated Subsidy Grants, which pay higher reimbursement to two and three-star child care programs and benefit qualified families by charging zero family fees for the child who is participating. Today we will learn more about Quality Rated Subsidy Grants from Taijha Harden, Subsidy Manager, and Laura Wagner, Quality Rated Policy and Partnership Director. Support the Show.

Episode 10 - Best Places to Eat in Georgia

November 21, 2018 05:00 - 21 minutes - 9.9 MB

Thanksgiving Week seems like a good time to discuss food...and we mean really discuss food, as in the Best Places to Eat in Georgia. As a state agency, our employees travel A LOT, especially our consultants working with providers and parents through CAPS, Child Care Services, Georgia’s Pre-K Program, Quality Rated, Nutrition and so much more! For this episode, we’re calling upon some bonafide culinary experts, Deputy Commissioner for System Reform Kristin Bernhard and Chief Legal Officer I...

Episode 9 - Person First Language

November 14, 2018 14:00 - 17 minutes - 8.31 MB

“Person First Language” is a different way of thinking about the words we use when we’re talking to or about people with disabilities. In this episode we learn more about this topic from Brandy Locchetta, Inclusion Manager here at DECAL. We'll even take a quiz to see how much we know...and how much we have to learn! Support the Show.

Episode 7 - Inside Scoop with the Commissioner's Executive Assistant

October 12, 2018 04:00 - 19 minutes - 8.95 MB

Scheduler, assistant, gatekeeper. Maybe the way to really get to know Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs is to get to know her Executive Assistant and Board Liaison Quandra Collins. Hear what happens behind the scenes at DECAL and then take a quiz on how well Quandra really knows the Commissioner. Support the Show.

Episode 8 - Criminal Background Checks in Georgia

October 12, 2018 04:00 - 18 minutes - 8.34 MB

In January, 2014, DECAL began implementing a state law requiring all employees in Georgia's child care programs to undergo a national criminal background check based on fingerprints. For the next two years, DECAL is paying the cost of the initial national fingerprint scan for eligible early care and education workers. Learn more about this law from DECAL Chief Legal Officer Ira Sudman and Legal Services Supervisor Christie Bearden. Support the Show.

Episode 6 - Meet Pam Stevens from Child Care Services

October 11, 2018 04:00 - 16 minutes - 7.83 MB

Pam Stevens is our new Deputy Commissioner for Child Care Services, but you may know her from Quality Rated, or her years as a teacher, behavior specialist, or child care director. Learn more about Pam and this important role in the licensing and regulating of child care programs in Georgia. Support the Show.

Episode 5 - Open Enrollment at DECAL

October 10, 2018 04:00 - 15 minutes - 7.07 MB

Monday is the start of the Annual Open Enrollment for the 2019 Plan Year of the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). Open Enrollment starts October 15 and runs through November 2. Learn more from Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs and Sabrina Henry, HR Operations Supervisor at DECAL. Support the Show.

Episode 4 - Georgia's Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program

September 28, 2018 04:00 - 15 minutes - 7.21 MB

The Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program has been serving Georgia’s children and families since 1972. The program is funded federally by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), also known as the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). In recent years, the program moved to DECAL from the Division of Family and Children Services. Elisabetta Kasfir is the Deputy Commissioner for Federal Programs. Support the Show.

Episode 3 - Georgia Pre-K Week

September 27, 2018 04:00 - 22 minutes - 10.3 MB

We talk with Deputy Commissioner for Georgia's Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports Susan Adams about Georgia Pre-K Week, October 1-5, 2018. Now in its eighth year, Georgia Pre-K Week is coordinated by Voices for Georgia’s Children, a policy and advocacy non-profit organization. The goal of Pre-K week is to emphasize the importance of quality early childhood education by providing opportunities for leaders to engage with Pre-K classrooms in local communities. Support the Show.

Episode 2 - Introducing the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning

September 25, 2018 04:00 - 17 minutes - 7.95 MB

The Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning makes strategic investments to improve and expand high-quality early education to help ensure all children in Georgia are prepared to succeed when they enter kindergarten regardless of family income or location. Our guests today include Executive Director Carrie Ashbee and Advancement and Donor Relations Coordinator Sarah Tinsley. Support the Show.

Episode 1 - Chat with Commissioner Jacobs

September 24, 2018 04:00 - 21 minutes - 9.85 MB

Governor Nathan Deal appointed Amy M. Jacobs as Interim Commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning in June 2014. In January 2015, she was sworn in as permanent commissioner. Commissioner Jacobs leads the agency responsible for the early care and education of hundreds of thousands of Georgia’s children. She oversees an annual budget of $700 million for programs focused on child care licensing, child and adult care nutrition, child care quality, and ear...

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