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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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Opening Day for the 2025 Georgia General Assembly is Monday, January 13, and on today’s podcast, as lawmakers head back to the state capitol, we’re previewing some of the key issues, proposed bills, and political dynamics to watch. Joining us to talk about the upcoming legislative session is Liz Young, DECAL’s Director of Government Relations and Special Projects; Polly McKinney, Advocacy Director with Voices for Georgia’s Children; Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Administration here at DECAL; and Ira Sudman, General Counsel for DECAL.

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It’s never too early to be thinking about your child’s college education…even for our youngest learners, ages birth to five. Now four lucky children in Georgia are getting an early start on their college savings plan thanks to Path2College 529 Plan and the We Care Child Care Sweepstakes. Joining us this week is Bethany Whetzel, Treasury Program Director with the Georgia Office of State Treasurer.

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In October at our All Staff Meeting, we recognized five DECAL employees with Spirit of DECAL Awards. More than 800 employees nominate their peers who personify one or more of the five DECAL Values , which are Delivering Stellar Customer Service, Exhibiting Organizational Excellence, Creating Positive Relationships, Always Valuing Others, and Leading the Way. Then Commissioner Jacobs selects the five final winners we recognize with trophies during a special ceremony at the All Staff Meeting. This week we’re thrilled to have all five of this year’s Spirit of DECAL Award winners on the podcast. They are CAPS Provider Relations Education and Outreach Manager Ann Panzica, Audits and Compliance Manager LeighAnn Hendrix, CAPS Family Support Coordinator Jason Lewis, CCS Compliance Consultant Ashley Richards, and IT Senior Business Analyst Barbara Sanders.

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