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Send us a textToday we're diving into the exciting world of internships with the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Whether you're a student considering a career in early childhood education or someone looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children, this episode is packed with valuable insights and information that will guide you through the internship opportunities available. Joining us to talk about their Intern Experience here at DECAL is Gabrielle Meeks, recent graduate from Georgia Tech, and Njambi Karobia, recent graduate from Georgia State University. Also joining us is Mark Dock, Senior Manager of Human Resources, and Trey Freeman, who served as a DECAL Intern and is now employed fulltime as a Human Resources Assistant.  Support the show

Send us a textFrom 2020-2023, DECAL received $2B+ in federal relief funds, fueling initiatives for Georgia's child care providers, workforce & families. Dive into the impact w/ insights from DECAL & Child Trends. Joining us to talk about COVID-19 relief funding and to help us follow the money is an impressive panel of guests: Shayna Funke, DECAL Director of Research Partnerships and Business Supports; Rob O'Callaghan, DECAL Director of Institutional Research and Data Quality; and from Child Trends, Dr. Dale Richards, Research Scholar and Dr. Rachel Abenavoli, Research Scientist.  Support the show

Send us a textDECAL has recently announced the launch of our Quality Rated Workforce Bonus payments, a groundbreaking effort that stands among the first of its kind in the nation. This initiative underscores DECAL's unwavering commitment to investing in our dedicated teachers and support staff. These professionals play an essential role in providing high-quality early education and care for our young children, ensuring they have the best possible start in life. Joining us to delve deeper into the Quality Rated Workforce Bonuses is Denise Jenson, the Director of Development and Business Operations for Quality Innovations and Partnerships, and Dr. Bentley Ponder, the Deputy Commissioner for QIP. They will share their insights and provide us with a comprehensive understanding of this innovative program.Support the show

Send us a textFor the twelfth consecutive year, DECAL is reminding families and caregivers of children to increase their awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. This year's “Look Again” campaign aims to ensure that families, child care providers, and the public understand how to prevent pediatric vehicular heatstroke and stay vigilant during Georgia's hottest months.Joining us today to discuss this important mission are some very special guests: Allen Poole, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, Dr. Andrew Grundstein, Professor of Geography and a member of the Atmospheric Sciences program at the University of Georgia, Rukiya Thomas and Kesha McNeal, Regional Managers in DECAL's Child Care Services Division. Support the show

Send us a textToday, 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.  Support the show

Send us a textThis 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.  Support the show

Send us a textIn 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. Support the show

Send us a textDECAL 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. Support the show

Send us a textLicensed 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. Support the show

Send us a textToday 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. Support the show

Send us a textRecently 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. Support the show

Send us a textToday, 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. Support the show

Send us a textOn 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!Support the show

Send us a textThe 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. Support the show

Send us a textToday 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. Support the show

Send us a textIf 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.  Support the show

Send us a textFor 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. Support the show

Send us a textThe 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.Support the show

Send us a textThis 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. Support the show

Send us a textThe 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. Support the show

Send us a textChildren 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.Support the show

Send us a textHomelessness 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.  Support the show

Send us a textToday 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. Support the show

Send us a textA 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. Support the show

Send us a textOpening 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.  Support the show

Send us a textIt'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. Support the show

Send us a textIn 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. Support the show

Send us a textThe Board of Early Care and Learning is DECAL's 14-member advisory board that meets quarterly to help support the agency's mission and vision throughout the year. Governor Brian Kemp appoints members to the board based on the congressional districts where they live. Joining us to talk about their new roles on the Board of Early Care and Learning is Maria Franklin from Adairsville, a board-certified behavior analyst at North Georgia Autism Center who serves the 11th Congressional District; Joyce Ann Freeman from Bowden is the early childhood care and education program chair and a full-time early education instructor at West Georgia Technical College serving the 3rd Congressional District; Dr. Sylvia Washington from Rome is a pediatrician with a background in clinical practice, academia, and community service, serving the 14th Congressional District; and Karen Jones is from Warner Robins serving the 8th Congressional District. She has been an educator for 27 years and is currently employed with the Houston County School District as a program specialist. Support the show

Send us a textIn today's increasingly digital world, safeguarding personal data and securing online assets are more critical than ever. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the demand for legal experts who can navigate the complexities of cyber security and privacy law are on the rise. Joining us to talk about the complex world of cybersecurity and privacy is Sarah Dixon-Morgan, our new Cybersecurity and Privacy Attorney and Privacy Officer. Support the show

Send us a textWhen the Georgia General Assembly passed legislation in 2023 focused on improving literacy among students kindergarten to third grade, they called for the appointment of a Statewide Literacy Coach to serve the Georgia Council on Literacy. They found this person in a longtime educator who has served as teacher, administrator, and Literacy Master Teacher with the Atlanta Public Schools.  Sarah Richards started in this role last July and is part of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement. Support the show

Send us a textDECAL has named its Georgia's Pre-K Teachers of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year and it was just in time for our 14th annual Georgia's Pre-K Week. We name a winner from a public school and private school, and this year's winners are from Lincolnton and Watkinsville. Joining us on the podcast this week is public-school winner Elizabeth Arthur from Lincoln County Elementary School, and  private child care center winner Rachel Robertson from Oconee Preschool Academy. Also joining us is Meghan McNail, Director of Georgia's Pre-K  Instruction and Regional Operations. Support the show

Send us a textIf you're looking for financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, child care and more, there is a one-stop shop for community resources near you! It's called Find Help Georgia, a comprehensive online directory to help strengthen families. And we're coming up soon on our second annual Find Help Georgia Forum. Joining us to talk about Find Help Georgia is Amy Roys, CAPS Director for Development and Partnerships, and Melinda Knowles, CAPS Development and Partnerships Project Manager. Support the show

Send us a textLast month more than 800 DECAL employees gathered at the Cobb Galleria Center for our All Staff Meeting. This event officially celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, as well as the 10th anniversary of our longest serving Commissioner, Amy Jacobs. That seemed like a great time for another Chat with the Commissioner. Support the show

Send us a textOpen Enrollment for the State Health Benefits Plan runs now through November 8. It's a very important time of the year, as many employees are re-evaluating their health needs and seeking to protect their financial well-being. Joining us to talk about Open Enrollment is Sabrina Henry, Senior Manager of Human Resources. Support the show

Send us a textFrom Calhoun to Savannah, our Quality Rated and CAPS teams have been holding stakeholder meetings all across Georgia to highlight policy revisions happening with both programs beginning this month. With pandemic relief funding ending, DECAL has faced some difficult choices focused on ensuring that the needs of families, providers, and the child care workforce are considered. Joining us to talk about policy revisions at CAPS and Quality Rated is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner of Federal Programs and Eligibility, and Dr. Bentley Ponder, Deputy Commissioner of Quality Innovations and Partnerships. Support the show

Send us a textAs the foundation of a child's educational journey, early childhood education is pivotal, yet the professionals who dedicate their lives to this field often face unique challenges that require our attention.  Recently DECAL's Workforce Supports and Learning Division formed a Workforce Task Force aimed at understanding the needs, struggles, and aspirations of early childhood educators across the state.  Joining us this week to talk about their findings is Dr. Christi Moore, DECAL Director of Workforce Supports and Learning, Support the show

Send us a textToday we're unpacking a critical issue that touches nearly every family in Georgia: the State of Child Care.  Recently our Child Care Services Division completed a comprehensive study on the current state of child care across the state, especially after a worldwide pandemic...and there were some surprises. Joining us this week to talk about the State of Child Care in Georgia is Pam Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of Child Care Services, and Shayna Funke, Director of Research Partnerships and Business Supports in our Quality Innovations and Partnerships Division. Support the show

Send us a textVoices for Georgia's Children and DECAL are proud to announce that the 14th annual Georgia Pre-K Week is set to take place from October 7th to 11th, 2024. This event celebrates the 32nd year of Georgia's Pre-K Program and highlights the importance of early childhood education across the state. Joining us to talk about Georgia Pre-K Week 2024 is Susan Adams, Deputy Commissioner for Georgia's Pre-K Program and Instructional Supports, Judy Fitzgerald is Executive Director at Voices for Georgia's Children, and we're honored to have State Representative Jan Jones, who serves as Speaker Pro Tem for the Georgia House of Representatives. Support the show

Send us a textWhen you think about DECAL, you think about CAPS, Child Care Services, Georgia's Pre-K Program, Nutrition…but we also hope you think about our support services like SEEDS which stands for Social Emotional Early Development Strategies.  This is a program designed to increase social and emotional development among our youngest learners and decrease challenging behaviors in early childhood settings.  Joining us to talk more about SEEDS is Fachelle Garner and Emily Graham are Inclusion and Behavioral Support Specialists. Support the show

Send us a textThis week we're highlighting early childhood workforce development opportunities in the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health space. Joining us is DECAL's Laura Lucas, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Director, Dr. Bentley Ponder, Deputy Commissioner of Quality Innovations and Partnerships, and our guests from Georgia State University's Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health (also known as “Georgia AIM”), Raynell Washington, Dr. Jordan Murphy from the Center for Interrelational Science and Pediatrics, and Audrey Idaikkadar, from Resilient Georgia. Support the show

Send us a textSince Fall 2019, DECAL has had a group of volunteers working in their communities to share information with families about the resources available in our state. Our DECAL Family Peer Ambassadors are fathers, mothers, grandparents, foster parents, and other kinship caregivers of young children. They serve as leaders in their community, providing families of young children with information about child development and strategies they can use to support their children's school readiness along with different resources available to families of young children. This month (September 2024) the program is celebrating it's Fifth Birthday! Joining us today are Jenny Semendy, DECAL's Child and Family Development Training Specialist, and one of our Family Peer Ambassadors: Ebony Tolbert from Atlanta. Support the show

Send us a textThe third week in September is Care Seat Safety Awareness Week which focuses on the proper use of car safety seats for children. The national campaign urges parents and caregivers to protect their children making sure they secure them in the correct car seat for their age, height, and weight. Joining us to talk about Car Seat Safety is Traci Reese, Program Manager with the Child Occupant Safety Project at the Georgia Department of Public Health and Jennifer Waters, our CCS Technical Assistance Unit Manager.  Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Licensed Family Child Care Learning Homes and Child Care Learning Centers in Georgia who are 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 Enviroments, equips providers with increased knowledge and skills in building responsive relationships, and developing and maintaining a social, emotional, and intellectual climate that supports child-initiated and child-pursued learning. 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; Latasha Bailey, an Infant Toddler Specialist for the Central East Region, and Cindy Lancaster with Lemon Tree Academy-Monroe who is a previous LITTLE grantee. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.New data from the CDC here in Atlanta show that vaccinations among kindergarteners has declined to its lowest level in decades and an estimated 750,000 young learners entered kindergarten during the COVID-19 pandemic who were not up to date on their school vaccinations. Joining us this week to talk about immunizations is Kathleen Holmes, Public Health Analyst with the CDC, and Bridget Ratajczak, DECAL Child and Family Development Supervisor, and the CDC's Act Early Ambassador to Georgia.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.The second class of a two-generation academy created by Commissioner Jacobs has now graduated. The Georgia 2Gen Academy is presented each year by the Georgia Children's Cabinet and facilitated by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia. Twenty-six representatives from state agencies, including DECAL and advocacy groups for children and youth, participated. Joining us to talk about Georgia's 2Gen Academy are DECAL participants Nutrition & Physical Activity Supervisor Diana Myers, Head Start Collaboration Office Director Allison Setterlind, and CAPS Family Support Director Amanda Vanmeter. Also Joy Hawkins, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement and co-chair with Commissioner Jacobs on the Georgia Children's Cabinet. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.As the new school year approaches, thousands of children across Georgia are getting ready to take their first steps into the world of structured learning in Georgia's nationally recognized Pre-K Program. It's an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming for both parents and children. Joining us to talk about preparing for Georgia's Pre-K Program are two Georgia's Pre-K Program Specialists Margie Cook and Anne Honerbaum.Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.For nearly a decade, Richard Woods has served as State School Superintendent here in Georgia. He has over 30 years of experience in public education, from Pre-K through 12th-grade. He was a high school teacher for 14 years, serving a​s department chair and teacher mentor….he has also served in administrative roles like principal, assistant principal, Pre-K director, and alternative school director. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.You're getting two topics for the price of one on this week's podcast. First, it's never too soon to start saving for your child's college education. DECAL and Path2College 529 Plan are making that easier with the We Care Child Care Sweepstakes. And then, careers at DECAL…this year we celebrate 20 years as one of the few state agencies in the nation dedicated entirely to early childhood education and care.  Over those 20 years we have grown to a staff of more than 700 employees. And if you would like to have an impact of the development and future success of young children and their families….this might be a great career move for you. Joining us first via Zoom is Mitch Seabaugh, Executive Director of the Path2College 529 Plan back to talk with us about the We Care Childcare Sweepstakes which is going on now through July 31. Then Careers at DECAL with Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration; Sheryl Young-Wilhite, Director of Human Resources, and Mark Dock, Senior Manager of Human Resources.  Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Last month, we looked at the impact on DECAL of the $36-million Fiscal Year 2025 budget signed by Governor Kemp in May. There several bills passed by the Georgia General Assembly and signed by the Governor that took effect July 1 and have an impact on DECAL. Joining us to talk about these new laws taking effect is Rian Ringsrud, Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration, and Liz Young, Director of Governor Relations and Special Projects.  Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Open Records play a crucial role in promoting an open government by providing citizens with the tools to engage with and understand the workings of their government. The concept of Open Records in grounded in the principles of transparency and accountability, ensuring that the public can obtain information about government operations, decisions, and expenditures. Joining us to talk more about Open Records is Maria Reznik, Open Records Compliance Analyst, and Ira Sudman, our General Counsel. Support the Show.

Send us a Text Message.Last year, DECAL took over the provider management function of the CAPS Program, something previously handled by our contractor, Maximus. We implemented these changes to offer more streamlined and effective services to child care providers who play a crucial role in supporting children and families. A major component of offering more streamlined and effective services is a new system called GACAPS, a modern new system that allows for streamlined attendance tracking, enrollment and completion of annual renewals directly through the system, quality assurance for accurate billing and more. Joining us to talk about the CAPS Program and our new GACAPS system is Elisabetta Kasfir, Deputy Commissioner over the CAPS Program; and Latisha Lewis, Manager of Provider Relations Customer Support.  Support the Show.