Podcasts about georgia foundation

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 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

Our Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning recently received the Heart of Community Award from CareSource, a nationally recognized, nonprofit managed care organization serving over 2 million members across five states including Georgia. Joining us to talk about the award from CareSource is Senior Manager for Population Healing Lisa Pennington, and also Senior Specialist Elida Lopez. From DECAL is Allison Setterlind, Georgia Head Start Collaboration Director, and Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning.  Support the Show.

Friday, April 19, was a big day for DECAL, the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, and all of our educators of the year being honored this year.  The Georgia Lottery and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon honoring our three Early Childhood Educators of the Year and our two Georgia's Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year.  Joining us to look back on the luncheon and hear portions of the program is Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning; Miranda Murphy is Practice and Support Services Outreach and Project Manager; and Devon Porter is Summer Transition Program and Outreach Manager.  Support the Show.

In December, DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning announced our three winners for Georgia's Early Childhood Educators of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year. Joining us today is Laura Wagner, Executive Director for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning; Miranda Murphy is our Practice and Support Services Outreach and Project Manager.  And our very special guests….the Early Childhood Educators of the Year for 2023-2024, Noel Weimer from Water Oak Family Child Care Learning Home in Roswell is the infant teacher of the year; Bianca Brown from the Greenbriar School in Evans is the Toddler teacher of the year; and Chantelle Hester from Smart Starters Academy Family Child Care Learning Home in Savannah is the Preschool teacher of the year.  Support the show

If you have been around DECAL for any time over our past 20 years now, you have heard the name Jennie Couture.  Jennie was our Director of Practice and Support Services who retired in 2022 after a 40 year career dedicated to special education, inclusion, and behavioral support. To honor Jennie and her love for inclusion, the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning began the Jennie Couture Legacy Scholarship Fund, a program that serves early childhood educators with professional development opportunities in areas so close to Jennie's heart:  inclusion and social-emotional development. Joining us to talk about the Jennie Couture Legacy Scholarship is Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning; our first recipient of the award, Tierra Faulcon with Faulcon Prep Academy in Smyrna, and of course the lady, the legend herself, Jennie Couture. Support the show

Since 2016, DECAL has offered paid internships to students currently enrolled in a Georgia college, university, or law school with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. We took a break during the pandemic years of 2020 through 2022, but last year the interns returned. Joining us this week to talk about their experiences so far are two of our communications and government relations interns: Mackenzie Weston is a senior at Kennesaw State University, and Trey Freeman is a senior at Clayton State University. Working with the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning is Brianna Thomas, a graduate student from Kennesaw State University. Also joining us is Mark Dock, Senior Manager of Human Resources here at DECAL. Support the show

A 2022 study by Mercer University and the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture found 60% of Georgia farmers don't have access to healthcare and 42% experienced suicidal ideation within 12 months prior to the study. Tara Haskins, the total health director for the AgriSafe Network, and Linda Emanuel, the community health director at the AgriSafe Network, discuss how their organization is helping farmers with their mental health during tough agricultural times.WABE Education Reporter Juma Sei's feature story explores how nearly 3,000 Morehouse College students and alumni recently had their debt cleared.Lastly, Sirish Subash, an eighth grader from Snellville has written two books about climate change and science. He talks with Rose about what motivated him to become a climate change advocate and what small steps Georgians can take to address environmental issues.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An ethics panel will investigate whether Gwinnett County Commissioner Kirkland Carden violated the county's ethics policy by serving as a strategist for a candidate's failed bid for a legislative seat last year. The complaint was filed by Laurie McClain, who lost to Carden in the 2020 general election race for Commission District 1. She alleges that Carden's role as a campaign consultant for Om Duggal's campaign violated the county's ethics policy, which prohibits officials from taking on employment or rendering services that limit their ability to be impartial in their official duties. This is only the third time since the policy's inception that a commissioner will face an ethics panel. Georgia Gwinnett College is seeking permission from the University System of Georgia to expand its athletic department and add men's and women's basketball programs. GGC's President, Jann L. Joseph, confirmed the news after the groundbreaking for a new convocation center that will include a basketball arena. The first step in launching the teams is to file paperwork with the university system, and if approved, the teams would compete in the NAIA like GGC's other athletic programs. GGC's athletic department currently offers six athletic programs, including men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, baseball, and softball programs. Fourth-year medical students at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Suwanee and Moultrie have achieved a 100% completion rate into postgraduate positions, according to Tina Woodruff, senior advisor to the provost. Residency placement lists indicate that since 2016, 34% of PCOM Georgia's students remain in Georgia to complete their residencies. Andrea Mann, dean and chief academic officer of PCOM Georgia's osteopathic medicine program, said that almost three quarters of the fourth-year students will pursue careers in Georgia's targeted core specialty areas. Students were matched with programs at prestigious institutions such as Emory School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine. The Gwinnett County Public Library's New Start Entrepreneurship Incubator program has awarded $5,000 grants to three graduates for their business pitches. The program provides business education for formerly incarcerated individuals, including in-person classes, online coursework, and mentorship. Bridgette Simpson, co-founder of Barred Business, won $2,500 for the Outstanding Business Pitch, Dewy Ventura Joa, owner of CholoMMA, received $1,500 for second place, and Mia Jacobs, founder of DeCCRO, won $1,000 for third place. The program aims to support the re-entry population, which in Georgia is disproportionately made up of people of color and minority populations. GDP's Will Hammock joins us for our Gwinnett Sports update presented by Tom Wages Funeral Home. Putt Nation, a high-end miniature golf course and restaurant combo, has opened in Buford, promising to "take miniature golf to the next level." With two nine-hole courses featuring custom lighting, sound effects, obstacles, and video challenges, the course aims to offer an immersive experience for all ages. The facility also has a self-serve tap wall offering a wide selection of beer, wine, and cocktails for visitors to try without committing to a full serving. Putt Nation is open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. on weekends, accommodating group events and parties for team building and birthday celebrations. The Georgia Gwinnett College Foundation has received an Innovative Education Fund Prototype Grant from the Georgia Foundation for Public Education to support math tutoring for elementary school students in need of targeted support. The $20,000 grant will fund an innovative education program piloted at Alford Elementary School in Gwinnett County, where professional development for tutors and collaboration with teachers and administrators have been deemed essential components of the program. Dr. Amber Ebert, assistant professor in science education and department chair of Secondary Education for Georgia Gwinnett College, collaborated with GGC's Advancement team to write the proposal for the grant. For more information be sure to visit www.bgpodcastnetwork.com   https://www.lawrencevillega.org/  https://www.foxtheatre.org/  https://guideinc.org/  https://www.psponline.com/  https://www.kiamallofga.com/  https://www.milb.com/gwinnett  https://www.fernbankmuseum.org/  www.atlantagladiators.com              See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sherry Rosen had a feeling something bad would happen when she spotted five kids playing by the bank of Ellison Lake Wednesday evening. As she left for dinner around 5 p.m., Rosen called Kennesaw police after she saw one of the teenagers had walked onto the ice at the edge of the lake. When she got back home at 7 PM she saw dozens of fire trucks and police cars, and knew her worst fears had come true. Two 16-year-olds had fallen through the ice in the lake. While rescue personnel were able to successfully save one teen, the other died, Cobb Fire confirmed Thursday. According to Officer David Buchanan, a Kennesaw Police Department spokesperson, officers were dispatched to the scene around 5:09 p.m. Wednesday, arriving at approximately 5:20 p.m. Kennesaw police and Cobb County police were able to rescue one of the teens from the water before Cobb County Fire arrived, according to the fire department. But the second teen was not located and pulled from the water until approximately 6:50 p.m. Rescuers attempted to resuscitate on the bank of the lake before transporting him to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Four rescue personnel were treated for cold exposure, Cobb Fire said, and have been released from medical care. Surface water temperatures at Ellison Lake were recorded as low as 28 degrees, and rescuers were in the water for up to an hour and 20 minutes, according to Cobb Fire. One rescuer was taken to the hospital for hypothermia treatment, and another suffered abrasions during rescue efforts. Sheltering Grace Ministry, a nonprofit which provides services to pregnant mothers experiencing homelessness, is relocating its headquarters to Cobb County. The group announced this week it has sold its East Point location and will soon welcome clients to a new office on Franklin Gateway. An open house for the office is scheduled for next month. In operation for the last 16 years, Sheltering Grace Ministry says its aim is to provide shelter and support for homeless pregnant women, including life skills training to help women emerge from poverty. The organization is currently in the process of obtaining a new property where it can build a series of small homes to house expecting mothers, per a news release. Currently, Sheltering Grace Ministry has six staff and board members along with a team of volunteers. The open house at the new Marietta location will be held from 12 to 6 p.m. on January 16, at 1180 Franklin Gateway, Suite 100, near Delk Road. Most bills the General Assembly passes each year take effect on July 1. But a smattering of new laws enacted during the 2022 legislative session will kick in this Sunday, Jan. 1, including a bill making it easier for food trucks to do business and several new or expanded tax credits. The food truck legislation does away with a current requirement in Georgia law that food truck operators obtain a permit and inspection in every county where they do business. While the tax credit bills technically became effective last summer, they don't really become reality until New Year's Day, the beginning of the tax year. Three of the measures create new income tax credits. House Bill 424 will provide a tax credit to Georgia taxpayers who contribute to nonprofit organizations that help foster children about to age out of the foster care system. More than 700 young men and women age out of the system each year. Senate Bill 361, which was championed by Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, will provide a dollar-for-dollar income tax credit on contributions to public safety initiatives in the taxpayer's community. Law enforcement agencies will be able to use the money for police officer salary supplements, to purchase or maintain department equipment and/or to establish or maintain a co-responder program.  Senate Bill 87, the Jack Hill Veterans' Act, honors the late state Sen. Jack Hill of Reidsville, who died in 2020. It provides income tax credits in exchange for contributions to scholarships for service-disabled veterans through the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation. Another bill that will take effect on Sunday, Senate Bill 332, also known as the Inform Consumers Act, is aimed at preventing criminals from selling goods stolen from retail stores on any online marketing platform. It establishes financial and contact information requirements for high-volume sellers to online marketplaces and requires such platforms to establish an option for consumers to report suspicious activity. Pebblebrook High School's marching band is in New Orleans for one of college football's marquee matchups this weekend. The Mighty Marching Machine is one of the bands invited to play the Sugar Bowl contest between Alabama and Kansas State. Led by Director Eulas Kirtdoll, the band is performing in both the parade and game Saturday afternoon. The band reported on Facebook Thursday they'd loaded up their buses before dawn (call time was 4 a.m.) to make the trek down south. Later that day, they said they'd arrived safely in the Big Easy and were gearing up for Saturday's showcase after performing at Jackson Square downtown. After fundraising for months in the lead-up to the weekend, the band was helped along by a $15,000 donation from Atlanta's Witherite Law Group. This isn't the school's first rodeo on the national stage. In 2018, the band trekked to Chicago to perform in the city's Thanksgiving parade. The parade was yesterday, processing down Decatur Street along New Orleans' French Quarter and ending at Canal Street. The Sugar Bowl, meanwhile, will kick off at noon today and will be broadcasted on ESPN.   A procession of cars snaked down Ben King Road in Kennesaw Wednesday night as dozens of families came to revel in holiday lights. With hundreds of thousands of lights twinkling in the darkness, Lights of Joy remains one of Cobb's best light shows — including a tunnel of lights for holiday photo-ops. Lights of Joy can be found at 1510 Ben King Road and has been open every night from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m., with free admission. Its final night will be January 1, New Year's Day.   Amani Johnson scored 15 points to break the Kennesaw State Division I career scoring record as the Owls raced past Coastal Georgia 109-53 on Thursday at the KSU Convocation Center. Johnson, who broke the mark previously held by Alexis Poole, finished with her first double-double of the season, also dishing out a career-high 13 assists. The Owls also set a program record for points as six players finished the night in double-digits. Jah'Che Whitfield had a game-high 19 points, Bre'Lyn Snipes scored a career-best 16 points, Lyndsey Whilby and Keyarah Berry chipped in 11 points each and Stacie Jones added 10. The Owls will be back in action Monday as they face the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels. #CobbCounty #Georgia #LocalNews      -            -            -            -            -            The Marietta Daily Journal Podcast is local news for Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, and all of Cobb County.             Subscribe today, so you don't miss an episode! MDJOnline            Register Here for your essential digital news.            https://www.chattahoocheetech.edu/  https://cuofga.org/ https://www.esogrepair.com/ https://www.drakerealty.com/           Find additional episodes of the MDJ Podcast here.             This Podcast was produced and published for the Marietta Daily Journal and MDJ Online by BG Ad Group   For more information be sure to visit https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com                      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Families and individuals visiting Woodstock Funeral Home who are grieving the loss of a loved one will find that there is a kind and calming presence there with them to show support. Ginger, an 8-year-old red standard poodle, was adopted in February 2020 by Paige Fowler-Ogle from Georgia Poodle Rescue, a nonprofit in Alpharetta run by Deborah Blatchley. Fowler-Ogle is the location manager at Woodstock Funeral Home, where Ginger is a regular. The first thing Ginger does is greet the individual or family at the door. Ginger then walks with them to the office, where she usually sits with Fowler-Ogle and the individual or family who are setting up the funeral arrangements. During this time, she will show her support by letting the person or family pet her, hold her, sit with her — any way she can help, Fowler-Ogle said. Sometimes, Ginger will also walk and sit with families at the viewing, giving emotional support to children and adults. Ginger is not the first poodle in the Fowler-Ogle household, though she is the first to show this level of understanding and support, her owner said. Since Fowler-Ogle became the location manager a little over a year ago, Ginger has been by her side every day at the office. Ginger often wears a bow that matches her owner's outfit for the day, which is always a topic of conversation with  visitors and adds to the welcoming feel of the funeral home, Fowler-Ogle said. Fowler-Ogle also paints her dog's nails. Fowler-Ogle said she knew Ginger would be perfect in this type of environment after seeing her dog's kindness to her young son. The duo recently visited Manor Lake assisted living in BridgeMill in Canton, where Fowler-Ogle said Ginger was “a big hit.” A Marietta man has been indicted after authorities say he drowned a cat in Cherokee County this summer. Austin Hedgeman is charged with one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals, according to an indictment filed December 12. The indictment charges Hedgeman with causing a cat's death by drowning around July 6. In an arrest warrant filed July 6 by the Cherokee Marshal's Office, officers say Hedgeman caused “physical pain, suffering or death to an animal” July 3 and could be heard on a recording saying he held the cat down “until he stopped moving.” Authorities say the drowning was at a southwest Cherokee County home, near Woodstock. Court records show the marshal's office originally charged Hedgeman with a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty but the charge was upgraded to a felony. Hedgeman was arrested July 6 and released July 8 on a $1,000 bond, according to the Cherokee Sheriff's Office. He has a hearing scheduled for January 11, according to court documents. An indictment is a formal charge of felony offenses, and defendants are assumed innocent until proven guilty. Northside Hospital is the first hospital system in the United States to receive Maternal Levels of Care Verification from The Joint Commission, the commission and the Georgia Department of Public Health announced. Northside Hospital also is the first in the state to receive a Level IV Maternal Center Designation from DPH. The United States has a higher maternal mortality rate than many other developed countries. Georgia is taking action to help improve care for women and newborns. It is one of a handful of states to review risk-appropriate care and the first to collaborate on a program with an accreditation organization. In 2022, DPH announced a partnership with The Joint Commission, recognizing its MLC Verification program. The program, offered in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), is a verification process that involves an on-site comprehensive review of a hospital's maternal capabilities and policies, as well as a level of maternal care determination. Through the partnership, hospitals may seek the optional Maternal Center Designation with The Joint Commission's MLC Verification program. For details on the designation process, visit dph dot Georgia dot gov. Most bills the General Assembly passes each year take effect on July 1. But a smattering of new laws enacted during the 2022 legislative session will kick in this Sunday, Jan. 1, including a bill making it easier for food trucks to do business and several new or expanded tax credits. The food truck legislation does away with a current requirement in Georgia law that food truck operators obtain a permit and inspection in every county where they do business. While the tax credit bills technically became effective last summer, they don't really become reality until New Year's Day, the beginning of the tax year. Three of the measures create new income tax credits. House Bill 424 will provide a tax credit to Georgia taxpayers who contribute to nonprofit organizations that help foster children about to age out of the foster care system. More than 700 young men and women age out of the system each year. Senate Bill 361, which was championed by Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, will provide a dollar-for-dollar income tax credit on contributions to public safety initiatives in the taxpayer's community. Law enforcement agencies will be able to use the money for police officer salary supplements, to purchase or maintain department equipment and/or to establish or maintain a co-responder program.  Senate Bill 87, the Jack Hill Veterans' Act, honors the late state Sen. Jack Hill of Reidsville, who died in 2020. It provides income tax credits in exchange for contributions to scholarships for service-disabled veterans through the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation. Another bill that will take effect on Sunday, Senate Bill 332, also known as the Inform Consumers Act, is aimed at preventing criminals from selling goods stolen from retail stores on any online marketing platform. It establishes financial and contact information requirements for high-volume sellers to online marketplaces and requires such platforms to establish an option for consumers to report suspicious activity A Canton pediatrician's office is closed after a burst pipe damaged the building December 24. A major sprinkler pipe burst in the ceiling of the office of DV Pediatrics on the morning of December 24, resulting in major damage to the entire building. Although firefighters quickly responded and turned the water off around noon to limit the damage, the damage has prompted a long-term closure for repairs, DV Pediatrics announced. Repairs are estimated to take four to six months. Until they have a working office space, DV Pediatrics will provide home visits, or house calls, phone consultations and telemedicine appointments for sick patients. The pediatric office said the staff are doing everything possible to provide the same level of healthcare services for the families they care for. #CherokeeCounty #Georgia #LocalNews           -          -          -          -          -          -          The Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast is local news for Woodstock, Canton, and all of Cherokee County. Register Here for your essential digital news.             This podcast was produced and published for the Cherokee Tribune-Ledger and TribuneLedgerNews.com by BG Ad Group     For more information be sure to visit https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/    https://cuofga.org/   https://www.drakerealty.com/   https://www.esogrepair.com/                         See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moki Macias, the executive director of Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD), discusses the findings of the Justice Policy Board's analysis of Fulton County's jail population that calls for more diversion work to reduce overcrowding.MaryAnn Romski, a regents' professor in Georgia State's Department of Communication and Department of Psychology, discusses a new web-based app designed to improve the communication skills of children with developmental disorders who live in developing countries.Plus, Kristy Klein Davis, the president and CEO of the Healthcare Georgia Foundation, discusses how a $9 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott will be used to improve and advance the health and well-being of all GeorgiansSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the second year in a row, DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning are seeking applications for the 2022-2023 Georgia's Early Childhood Educators of the Year Program, recognizing  the teachers of our very youngest learners…infants, toddlers, and preschool. Joining us to talk about our Early Childhood Educators of the Year is Laura Wagner, Interim Executive Director for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning; Thea Stevens, DECAL's Infant Toddler Manager; and Rebecca Ellis, Director of Practice and Support Services.  Support the show

Last month, Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs announced a new Interim Executive Director for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning to replace outgoing director Carrie Ashbee who recently moved with her husband and daughter to Mobile, Alabama. Laura Wagner is no stranger to DECAL.  She comes to the new role from Quality Initiatives and Partnerships where she served Quality Rated and Partnerships Director. On this episode, we get to know Laura better.Support the show

Nina Tickaradze is the Founder and CEO of NADI, a certified women-owned enterprise and social venture with a mission to create jobs for displaced refugees. NADI produces organic juices and healthy snacks that are sold in organic grocery stores and supermarkets across the US. NADI's products are inspired by ancient Georgian health traditions and old family recipes. Nina is a native of the country of Georgia and was educated primarily in the United States. Nina is the Founder of the Georgia to Georgia Foundation, a nonprofit that promotes relationships between the state of Georgia and the country of Georgia. Nina is also the Co-chair of the Atlanta Tbilisi Sister City Committee and builds stronger business and cultural ties between Atlanta and its sister city of Tbilisi, which is the capital of Georgia. Nina is passionate about the ancient culture of the country of her birth and is an advocate for educating others about Georgia's history, hospitality, and vibrant food and wine scene. Nina is a Certified Sommelier through the International Sommelier Guild. In this episode… Do you have what it takes to run a social entity and achieve its goals? Social ventures come with their challenges, but the benefits of helping communities far outweigh the difficulties. Nina Tickaradze runs a social entity with a mission to create job opportunities for refugees, and at the same time, serve people with healthy product options. Through running this company, she has learned that all businesses need to be unique in terms of their products, have funds, and have a purpose if they want to be successful. Business leaders also need to be in entrepreneurial networks to learn and have the support they require.  In this episode of the Gooder Podcast, host Diana Fryc is joined by Nina Tickaradze, the Founder and CEO of NADI, to discuss tips on how to successfully run a healthy social venture. Nina explains the challenges of running a social venture and lessons she has learned as a leader, the importance of being in an entrepreneurial group outside of your organization, and her advice to other women leaders.

In 2018, the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning partnered with the Georgia Forestry Foundation to host the first Moonlight through the Pines, a fundraising event for both organizations featuring great food and singer songwriters from Georgia.  We had such a great time with that event, we are doing it again on May 18, this time with the foundation for the Technical College System of Georgia.  Joining us to talk about Moonlight through the Pines: A Singers Songwriters Soiree is Kelsey Bassett, Executive Director of the TCSG Foundation, and our own Carrie Ashbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning.  Plus a special message from Commissioner Jacobs about State Employees Recognition Week 2022.Support the show

In this episode, Owner of Access Physical Therapy, Clarence Holmes, Jr, talks about generational differences in physical therapy. Today, Clarence talks about burnout, the idea of value, and the different ideas of pay structure. Why is the measurement of productivity problematic? Hear about the promise of mentorship for lower pay, the problem of toxic positivity, and finding the better way in each new generation, all on today's episode of The Healthy, Wealthy & Smart Podcast.   Key Takeaways “The reason why things are fluid and changing with every generation is because there's always a better way.” “We have to be open to that better way.” “No one loves PTs as much as PTs love PTs.” “It is so heathy to have a full well-rounded conversation that points out the bad and the good, and you don't have to finish with a positive statement in a conversation.” “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” “It's become an expectation in this country to overwork.”   More about Clarence Holmes, Jr Dr Clarence Holmes, Jr is a native of Cleveland MS. He attended Mississippi State University for his undergraduate studies and received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2014. Dr Holmes then completed an orthopedic residency with Mercer university in Atlanta GA in 2015. He has worked in various settings to include sports/outpatient orthopedics, acute care, and the state jail system. Now, he owns and operates Access Physical Therapy, a concierge cash based physical therapy practice in the Atlanta metropolitan area. He also works as a staff physical therapist with Kindred At Home. Dr Holmes has been involved with APTA at various levels to include 2 terms on the Student Assembly Board of Directors, delegate for the state of Georgia to the House of Delegates, and currently serves as a board member for the Georgia Foundation for Physical Therapy. In his free time, he also owns and operates The Travel Doctor, a full service travel agency as well as tackling small woodworking projects. He also scuba dives and enjoys traveling the world with his beautiful wife, Turquoise and their golden retriever and chihuahua/terrier mix puppies.   Suggested Keywords Healthy, Wealthy, Smart, Healthcare, Physiotherapy, Burnout, Generational Differences, Productivity, Mentorship, Improvement,   To learn more, follow Clarence at: Website:          https://www.accessptatl.com Twitter:            @matterundrmined Instagram:       @caholmes6 Facebook:       @clarenceh3   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: Website:                      https://podcast.healthywealthysmart.com Apple Podcasts:          https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-wealthy-smart/id532717264 Spotify:                        https://open.spotify.com/show/6ELmKwE4mSZXBB8TiQvp73 SoundCloud:               https://soundcloud.com/healthywealthysmart Stitcher:                       https://www.stitcher.com/show/healthy-wealthy-smart iHeart Radio:               https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-healthy-wealthy-smart-27628927   Read the Full Transcript Here:  Hello, this is Jenna Cantor with healthy, wealthy and smart. I'm really excited. I am interviewing Dr. Clarence a Holmes Jr. Just wrote on Zoom, or we're doing the interview. And Dr. Clarence who said, just call me clearance. I'm like, Okay, hi, Clarence, said that he works with home health and is the owner of a concierge cash based practice, which everybody who listens knows I'm cash based. I'm like, Yeah, hello, Conrad. I love that so much. Let's serve our people, our patients. We are coming on because we met at a conference. And there was a discussion on generational differences in physical therapy. And Clarence had some real interesting thoughts on this. And I was like, this is a podcast in the making. So I approached him right away. And I said, Can we do this topic and a podcast? And fortunately enough, he said, Yes. Like a proposal. It was beautiful. So here we are talking about generational differences in physical therapy. I think this is a really, really important topic. Now. I just let's just start diving in to one we're saying general racial differences, everyone, please don't refrain from getting offended with how we, how we try to describe this, because this is one we're differentiating between ages. And I saw I saw individuals struggling with that trying to be appropriate. So if we do say anything in our descriptions, inappropriate, feel free, please absolutely correct us. But be nice, because we're doing the best we can. But this is a very important conversation. So we'd rather take the risk in in really diving into the topic. So yeah, just let's all be nice. Okay. So regarding generational differences, I'm assuming that we're talking about the more seasoned crowd, people who have been around for a long period of time, compared to newer people in the physical therapy. Oh, right. Correct. Am I missing anything? Or is there any other way we need to define it?   02:39 No, I mean, and honestly, you're talking about me when you said if you recognize people being uncomfortable, trying to differentiate between these these generations, in conversation without trying to fin that was me at our conference. I didn't want to say the boomer generation, I didn't want to say the millennials simply because a lot of people tie a lot of negative connotations to those. And we're   03:03 also missing Gen X, because Gen X is actually the y'all are the youngest practitioners right now. Not millennials. Yeah.   03:09 Yeah. And I think there's a lot of similar Z   03:12 is Z. Oh, my God, ie, Z. Oh, my gosh, I missed the letter in the alphabet. Yeah. It might   03:17 be x. I don't don't hold me to it. But But, but yeah, so that was one. But But no, you captured it perfectly. I do think there is a a riff between the older generation and the younger generation to just put it put it lightly. Yeah. Just simply because and I mentioned it in the conferences that the older generation are the ones who are owning these practices, traditional practices. And the younger generation, our generation are the ones who tend to be more of the employees. And that's natural. But what's what's unnatural? Well, this is also natural to have some generational difference was unnatural is the riff, the, the battle that kind of comes along with it, and how we respond to it. So   04:03 yeah, so let's, yeah, I love that. Let's do what we're aware. I was very interested. Let's go back and and just do one general generational difference at a time and then if we okay, I feel like that's what pops in our head for now. And that's it. That's great. So one, just named one at the top of your head one Gen. Gen. Oh, my gosh, why is this? So? General? generational difference, let's start with one.   04:29 So I mean, there's two big ones that stick out to me. One is just this idea of pay structure. And specifically in the PT realm of, of how long has someone been here? versus what is this person doing for my company? And the best example I can give is me personally, of working in a job my first job post residency. I'm an ortho I'm a lover, or I will consider myself an ortho PT, even though I work in the home health arena, and the concierge cash base, I will consider myself an orthopedic physical therapist. My first job post residency was at a private practice in Atlanta, and I was paid the least amount of all the therapists across the entire company, which was four practices in Atlanta. But I was the second highest producing therapists in the company. And so, you know, generational differences comes down to the old way of doing things was, who has the most experience, they get paid the most? My personal opinion is, that's not logical, we're, I'm a logical being and a lot of my generation are, if it doesn't make sense to us, we're going to be vocal about it. And it didn't make sense to me that I was producing one paper, more money, better outcomes than the majority of the therapists and I was paid the least, that's one major win. And it kind of feeds into the second you asked for one, but this kind of feeds into it. Younger generations, older generations value loyalty. You know, they expect somebody to come in and work for them for 10 to 1520, almost 30 their entire careers. And my generation just, we're not happy, we're going to move on. And so that puts a lot of responsibility on the employer to find out what makes us happy. And sometimes that just doesn't, that doesn't translate well.   06:39 Yeah, I see where these connect, let's focus on the first one, because that is a really good, interesting point, I have definitely mentored some dance PTS who are burnt out, and they are in a situation where, Oh, Gosh, darn it, what is it productivity, productivity is measured. And that has been very problematic for them, because they'll come in, and they see that they are, they know, they're getting paid less. But they're not more because in your case, you actually saw the data, but they're seeing the, they are seeing the exact number of patients as a seasoned professional, there, and they're just they don't understand why they're getting paid less, if they're seeing the same amount, then they were there, they would imagine, I would be seeing less patients, then that would make more sense, you know, but no, that's not the case. And therefore, that income would still be it is assumed that income would still be made. So it's almost like they're being profit, they're more of a profit is being made off of them. They're exhausted, you know, but they're not getting a lighter load to feed that exhaustion, that adjustment, they're getting treated just the same. And so they don't understand that pay difference when they come in. And I'm going to bounce off this a little bit more because of what the reasoning so it's going to get a slightly off topic, but I'm always okay with that is the promise of mentorship as a reason for why they are paying less that can be a reasoning behind it, which still, there are some clinics that actually provide mentorship, but the majority of them do not actually provide that mentorship, so it's more verbage. Or they have some sort of automated system, that's there maybe videos or something. So there, it's not really an extra effort. It's something that's already there that can help streamline what's going on. Especially if you're in a place that measures the productivity. You can promise it as a as a somebody owns a clinic, however, who's the physical therapist, and how much time do they actually have to really mentor? So if there really, it doesn't make sense, right? This reasoning of oh, why, you know, and these are generational, different thoughts, but for I think that's what you're hitting is that the younger generation will speak their minds and say, hey, you know, they're not getting that mentorship, they're not getting that value for them to go. Oh, that's why then because they get oh, you know what, I'm getting great mentorship, kind of like where people think residencies, getting great mentorship that get one in paying less I get it. I totally get it. That's not the case. No, no, in a lot of circumstances.   09:33 Seven years, I think I've been out seven and a half years for a PT school. And I've never been in an environment outside of residency that that had any type of formal mentorship. But you're correct in that I've have had several interviews with several companies that have promised mentorship because that was important to me. I kind of did less the reason I worked at the job that I did that I'm mentioning in this in this interview. This conversation. The reason I took that job, and I knew I was getting paid less than I was worth. Um, the reason I took it was because my clinical manager and the only person who was more productive than I was a personal mentor, who was my was one of my direct mentors in residency. And so I saw it as an opportunity to continue getting mentored. And so I'm getting an exchange of additional mentorship. I will take less pay.   10:32 Okay, yes. And your, your through your apps, you're like, Oh, yes, yes.   10:36 Correct. But there was no formal mentorship. Now, I did continue work with this guy. I did learn a lot from him. But there was no formal.   10:45 That's a big, that's a big deal. It's not exactly,   10:48 exactly. And there's no when is the end point? I mean, when is the point where I say, Okay, I've received enough mentorship now I'm ready to get paid. Okay. Right. There has to be some kind of trade off there. So. But you're absolutely correct that that is there is a common promise of these employers to employees, younger, generational PTS, of mentorship, in exchange for, you know, lower, less than ideal pay, but is delivered upon.   11:20 Right, right. And I think that's the thing, because there's different ways to work around depending on the clinic, and everything that can happen in these rooms for negotiation. So when these different mindsets come into the room, for it to work out, but you got to follow through on both sides. One is providing the mentorship and the other side is accepting, that's what you accepted, and knowing that owning that. So, but it can be I mean, you know, what I was about to go into different things you can negotiate, but this is not a lesson on negotiation. So I'm going to skip over that. So yeah, when you when you are going into a clinic, I feel like that is a way to potentially solve the problem, but it's just not being solved right now. It's it's still, these gentlemen are the we have people who own these businesses who are getting annoyed about the the younger generation talking about money, but then they're not looking at, they're not really listening and taking in what is being said, because it's it's a block that we can get our own bias on how we lived our lives. And, and we need to get out of ourselves. I say that, as a practice owner, myself, we have to always work to get out of ourselves all the time, in order to better listen, to be with the changes of the world. And the reason why there are changes, but the reason why things are fluid, and it's always changing with every generation and so on, is because there's always a better way. Right? And we may not answer to it. But But there's always a better way. And and you got to figure out, you know, what's what's going to if you really care so much about keeping them around for a long time. And that's, that's a big deal for you. And absolutely, totally get that it's great to have somebody there for a long time, then what is it that they care about? What is it that they care about? You know, and how do you and then if you want to do something that is not financial? Because your your clinic can only afford so much? What are those intangibles that you can bring to the table? Or even the physical therapist coming into work for them? What are those intangibles, and that's where you can really come to the table for a better exchange with those generational differences. I think, you know, and,   13:36 you know, and one of the things that you kind of touched on is that we have to be, there's always a better way, and we have to be open to that better way. And I think that's where we run into an issue of when a younger generational PT says, well, this doesn't make sense to me, I want this amount of money. That's not us complaining. And I think that can be perceived as, as as, as a complaint, US whining, because we were known as the whiny generation. We you know, we complain a lot and what compared to what we're told is that we complain a lot, we're whining, we're never satisfied. And it's not that we're whining. It's not that we're sad. It's just that we grew up in the information age, we know what the PT next was making. Well, we know what the average PT makes. And so we come to the table and ask for this. It's not as whining and it shouldn't be perceived that way and we shouldn't be promoted as the whining generation is annoying. Having the information available to us and trying to benefit on or not even benefit just just be pay. We're given what we're worth. You know, we're rainbows and clouds profession. I mean, we we are a just a happy, just beautiful people and we just love people love everybody. And we're so happy go lucky and lovey dovey and I love that about us. But one thing that we do tend to forget is that the word can mean that we are healthcare practitioners first, but this is also a business. We have to be sustainable, to be able to provide the jobs for our employees, we have to be fulfilled in our careers to be able to provide the care the level of care that our patients deserve. And some of the ways that we do that is to ensure that our employees are happy. Somebody brought up at the conference, the idea of valuing your employees. And value in itself. I think, for us as this lovey dovey profession means so many different things, but value in itself as a word is a financial word. What is the value of me as a a physical therapist? I know my financial value, if you cannot meet that, as you've already touched on, if you can't meet what I'm asking for what else can you meet me, meet me halfway meet me with increase vacation days, maybe with an increase a formal mentorship program. We're supposed to meet and you're supposed to meet me where I am as an employee. And so I think that's where there's a big barrier as well. And that sometimes we're a little bit too focused on intangible things where a lot of or several of us are looking for tangible benefits in my generation. So I think that's a big riff. And it's a it's got to do with our identity crisis in our profession that I said this at the conference. Nobody loves pts. As much as PTS love BTS. And that's our issue as as a profession that we have to address. And I think that kind of that kind of flows over into this this generational difference. Oh, my God, it does. It does. Absolutely. Absolutely. And so that's, you know, I don't want to get too deep here, but I want I actually   16:55 want to bounce off you because, yes, because they popped in my head earlier. And I was like, I just let the idea, you know, because I just want to listen to you. But yes, it's the Pete, the best thing to T PTS, you know, and there's nothing wrong with us, the more seasoned professional that I mean, yes, ever. When I say this, I know they're seasoned. Like, I know, they're sick, we're not perfect. But the C's, they they live on this rainbows and clouds. I'm just saying, I know, it's a harsh way to say it. I hear I hear what I'm saying. But whatever I'm gonna say it. And then we have where the younger generation, I think it's Gen Z, because Gen X is before. So okay, so we have the Gen Z, and the millennials are newer in the profession. And they're not afraid to point out things that they think are wrong. But I think then with that in mind, I think from higher up there is toxic positivity. And I think that's where that comes in. Where it's pushed upon, you cannot say anything bad. But then we lose this honesty and transparency in what's going on in the communication. And, and God forbid, something bad is said, you know, boy, and guess who's on social media, everyone? So if you're talking about, you know, like, oh, there's younger people are complaining. Facebook is older people, man, Twitter is older people. Like there's some younger on there too. Yeah. But like the hotspots to be at are tick tock and mostly ticked in my opinion. Tick tock. Yes. And then I think I never looked at the data. So yeah, but I think Instagram is secondary, but that also has to do with like, how I like to watch the videos personally, I can I can scroll through the Tick Tock thing and then I can go to Instagram Instagrams a little bit not as smooth I go back to tick tock okay. So um, but but that's you know, that's where it's so far talking about all the younger they all they do is complain that's, that's all ages baby. That's all ages, we all we we all like don't I think it is so healthy, to have a full well rounded conversation that points out the bad and the good and you don't have to finish with a positive statement in a conversation about it's okay to end in a gray area. It's okay to end in a dark area and both see it you know, yeah, that is I don't have a solution. Like that's actually that's not a good thing. It's okay. But we but this toxic positivity puts anybody going through anything on the spot if you're anybody who might be oh gosh, dealing with somebody who is has poor health in your family and you can't talk about it or mention it at all and you're yet to put on this face. I get it. That's you know, I'm putting in air quotes professionalism, but professional professional only means literally other profession. Everything else is defined by you. Or defined by me. So literally, that's all perfect. Like everything else is like up in the air up for grabs. however you interpret it. So the you know, took like, place these these random rules on what professionalism, professionalism is from that point on is is purely subjective. And that's where that toxic positivity comes in. Yeah. And then in then we get these risks these butting heads, because everybody has different core values, which is great. And I think that is a huge generational difference and where we lose and miss out on opportunities to listen and hear more.   20:29 Correct, correct. And that's where the issue becomes. I spoke on generational differences, as in the context of what is leading to burnout in early career professionals are the career pts. And I spoke on generational differences as one of the things that I thought was a key key difference. And one thing to note to note is that this isn't specific to pt. It's not burnout is not specific to PT, these generational differences is not are not just specific to physical therapy. This is a doula globally, this is definitely an issue in our country. There are, you know, I'm gonna make this a political conversation. But you know, there are, you know,   21:16 whatever all's fair game when you're with me,   21:20 you see, there's a group of people that believe that, you know, there's no, this is the greatest country on Earth. And that this is there, they would, they would know, they would not live anywhere else. And to say anything bad about our country is anti American. And then there's another generation that says, this is a good country to live in. This is, hey, I'm happy to live here. But there's a crap ton of issues that we need to address to make this country as great as it could be. And so that is, I say all that to say that there is no, I don't think we solve this issue. I don't know if there is a solid solution to the issue. But as I stated before, I do believe there are pptx, specific generational difference issues that we can address. And we should address. And as long as everybody is willing to hear each other out. Yeah, compromise, which is kind of where my conversation was with with the gentleman at the conference that we spoke about earlier. I had an opinion, but I heard him out. And I still don't agree with him. 100%. But I can identify a little bit more with where he's coming from. And I think that's key, I think it's important to have these conversations get uncomfortable with being, you know, get comfortable with being uncomfortable. And have these uncomfortable conversations to say, yes, these are the issues we have with your generation. These are the issues y'all have with mine. Where is that common ground? You know, is they always is, like you said better than we are? And so So, you know, I don't know, I don't know, I'm not the visionary, I see that you I can't give you the solution. I   23:08 don't know where I know, it's just to have a conversation. So that's all we're just having a conversation about this, which I think is great. You know, to get your minds and everyone's minds to start to think you know, are there you know, generational differences and everything. And be careful as you listen, it can be very hard because we there are a lot of people we're going to people help, we're a service business. And with that we get these people pleasing mindsets, where we can lose ourselves. And I would actually say definitely big time in the younger, newer generation. And in order to please the generation that has been around longer, we don't listen to ourselves and just agree it's okay to disagree. It doesn't mean you have to disagree. But really keep challenging yourself to get more and more in tune with what you believe in. And greater conversations can happen, greater solutions, greater growth and progress between all of us can happen, which is so cool. And it may not happen overnight, where you feel comfortable to talk about it. But keep I definitely agree with what you're saying. It's just if you can just keep even if it's a little bit challenge yourself a little bit more every time to just, you know, get there, you know, not easy, not easy. No. I love it. Any any other generational differences that you think oh, Jenna this or have we reached kind of your like, those are kind of the main ones where we   24:41 Yeah, no, I I do think those are my, you know, very inter intertwine those two that I talked about. I don't think that as as a this is sort of like a final word if you Yes, yes. I do think that specifically to this country, we value overwork For example, I, you know, I think that we value the the clinician or the co worker, not just in PT, but in general, we value the person who does the things that they're not required to do as a part of their job. That's what we use to determine who is who's that shining employee, who's the one that that goes above and beyond. Right. And it shouldn't be that I mean, for example, I remember, at this same job, we hit a low point, we hit a low point, always in January, it's an outpatient clinic, deductibles reset, so we're January, it was a low period, had a lot of openings on my schedule, so that everyone else and I was sitting in and getting caught up on documentation, going over some things with my mentor, learning new skills, in walks the owner, are asked, What are we doing? I tell him, you know, I'm trying to learn some things. And he says, Well, why don't we are marketing? I say, What do you mean? He said, you know, your patients, your schedule is low, why aren't you are out, you know, getting us new clients. And I'm like, that's not my job. Is that is you are the employer, you hired me to see the patients that frequent your establishment. Okay, I'm not the one to go out and beg these physicians to send us, okay, how much begging you do, the deductibles reset, that's going to be a phenomenon that happens every single year. So, but that's what the expectation from some employers have. Yes, I hired you to see patients and turning the documentation on time. But in also, I expect you to do these things, these these things that I didn't tell you about in your interview, but we expect you to do these things is become an expectation in this country, to overwork to do things that are not required to view and that is how we measure our employees and not on the job that they do. If you see all the patients on your schedule, go home on time, get your documentation in on time, and it's all you did for the rest of your life as a PT you'd never be promoted and you know in traditional practices so I say that's that's another generational thing is that I think we older generations value overwork working you all you need to be busy all the time. And we value we being the younger generations, a healthy balance of work and home life. I think that is another riff all of these are intertwined, but I think that's a another riff that's that's that's causing an issue, not just in our not just in our profession, but but across this whole country.   27:42 Now, yeah, definitely. I love it. Thank you so much for coming on to talk about this. If you are listening to this podcast, and you have some other ideas and stuff, feel free to write in the comments, just keep the conversation going. I think it's always good to just talk about it. And then And then if you're somebody who's about to go in for job interviews, write these things down for you to consider what you're going to bring to the table for your negotiations track on both sides, what was discussed in that interview? So it's very clear. If things come up that are that we're not included, it's so you can have a better chance of being on the same page. Yes, you're correct. We didn't bring that up, or you know what we need to make sure we bring that up, because that does come up, the more we can be on top of that transparency in the communication can better help address generational differences right off the bat, do keep in mind seasoned professionals owning your own practice when these students are graduating, they have a very low sense in general sense of self worth. So for the overwhelming majority, they usually jump at a job faster than they should. Because they are so excited. Anyone wants them. And that is a big thing that happens often at clinics. So just be aware of that them saying yes doesn't necessarily mean they were listening to what they wanted in the first place. Because they feel so grateful that they were not rejected, they were accepted. And that takes over everything. It helps it feeds into them eliminating what their core wants are because they struggle with self value. Alright, that's it. Where can people find you on the social or email, whatever you feel comfortable with sharing.   29:40 So I laugh when you say the old people are on Facebook and Twitter because that's really what I use is   29:48 and I'm in that category. So I feel comfortable saying   29:51 I'm not a Snapchatter I do have an Instagram. My Facebook name is just mine. That's what I'm primarily on. That's where I'm most entertaining. Book   30:00 is it clearance a home's nobody's claiming homes, clients homes,   30:05 parents homes as well. I'm the one that's scuba diving in my photo.   30:11 If it changes to hiking, everyone's gonna get confused.   30:14 I know why it's not going to just all my photos are nice. And then my instagram name is CA Homes six ca h o l mes the number six. Oh, I   30:27 love it California. You're not from there. But it's fun to say. Wonderful. Thank you so much for coming on. Everyone. If you're listening, please be nice. Be nice. Yeah, you can communicate but be kind. If there is any possibility that what you wrote might be in a way interpreted in a mean tone. Don't write it. I just don't I don't see. Like, honestly, it's just why and I'm not being toxic positive. I'm just being real. Like it's only going to just why why? Like go speak to your legislative representative about it, you know that you can actually make changes. Alright, that's it. Thank you for coming on.

Early child development helps build a foundation for lifelong learning, behavior, and health.  With that in in mind, DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning have named our inaugural Georgia's Early Childhood Educators of the Year for 2022.  The infant winner is Diana Black from Pookie Bear Learning Center in Savannah, the toddler winner is Maria Claudia Ortega from My Little Geniuses in Marietta, and the preschool winner is Hannah Beth Reeves from the Academy for Little People in Chickamauga.  On this week's podcast we are joined by all three winners in addition to Thea Stevens, Infant Toddler Supervisor here at DECAL, and Carrie Ashbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning.  We're also joined by Maria Moor from Georgia's Pre-K Program who will serve as Maria Claudia's interpreter.Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is offering $65,000 for students seeking agriculture-related education #CherokeeCounty #Georgia #LocalNews           -          -          -          -          -          -          The Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast is local news for Woodstock, Canton, and all of Cherokee County. Register Here for your essential digital news.             This podcast was produced and published for the Cherokee Tribune-Ledger and TribuneLedgerNews.com by BG Ad Group on 12-13-2021.     For more information be sure to visit https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com/ For advertising inquiries, please email j.southerland@bgadgroup.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture continues investment in college scholarships for ag students, and European Union approves reforms to farm subsidies.

I am thrilled to bring you this episode! I have known Dr. Nelson for a long time and have deep respect for his lifelong commitment to health equity. He has led Healthcare Georgia Foundation for nearly 20 years, overseeing many grantmaking initiatives including the Foundation's Two Georgia's initiative and Health Impact Investing. The Foundation is "Grounded in Science, built on Partnerships, and focused on Results.""Results matter to those we serve." Dr. Nelson argues that although the nonprofit sector is "woefully under-resourced, we can't afford to waste a dollar. Lives are at stake." The work is too important to rely on "feel good philanthropy." More than ever, the Foundation is focused on the social determinants of health and achieving health equity.  In this conversation, we talk about the work of the Foundation, but also funders' role in the pursuit of making communities more equitable. COVID has certainly shown a light on these inequities and Gary shares how the Foundation has pivoted their funding to meet the needs of communities during the pandemic. We also talk about the importance of evaluation and the what it takes for nonprofits and foundations to create a culture of learning. The Foundation has a long history of valuing evaluation and supporting evaluation capacity within the Foundation and among its grantees.Episode mentioned: Episode 1: Health Equity and Maternal and Child Health with Dr. Kyrah BrownContact: Healthcare Georgia FoundationJoin my Free Course to help you use your data and communicate outcomes!Dr. Nelson's BioGary D. Nelson is President of Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Inc., a private independent foundation in Atlanta, Georgia.  Appointed in 2002, Dr. Nelson is responsible for executive management of the Foundation's program, financial, and management operations.  Working with the Foundation's Board of Directors, Dr. Nelson oversees the Foundation's grantmaking program dedicated to enabling, improving and advancing the health and well-being of all Georgians.   Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Inc. was established in 1999 with an annual grantmaking program of approximately $4-5 million strategically allocated to:  1) Addressing Health Disparities; 2) Promoting Health and Preventing Disease; 3) Expanding Access to Quality Affordable and Integrated HeLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn't stress you and your group out, doesn't take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

In episode 18 of Field Notes, Merrill Wilcox and Robert Gaines of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education connect with Paige Pushkin, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education (GFPE), to discuss the overwhelming educational needs in rural Georgia and how GFPE's Rural Education Fund is addressing those needs by "providing traditional public schools, charter schools, and school districts located in counties with 35,000 or fewer residents up to $10,000 to use however they wish to drive student outcomes."

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture's Fall online auction was a huge success, and Farmers National Company reports record land sales.

With 700 employees all across Georgia, traveling between cities to visit child care programs and meet with community partners and advocates, the DECAL team has stockpiled some great information about the Best Places to Eat in Georgia.  Joining us to talk about this tasteful topic is Carrie Ashbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Learning; Billie Joe Sutton is a Georgia's Pre-K Program Specialist serving Southwest Georgia; and Ira Sudman is Chief Legal Officer here at DECAL.  Hope you're hungry!   Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

DECAL and the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning have announced the recipients of the 2021-2022 DECAL Scholars of the Year.  This year's program celebrates the 20th Anniversary of DECAL Scholars which supports early care and educational professionals in Georgia in gaining more education and skills and earning financial awards.  Joining us to talk about this very special recognition are our DECAL Scholars of the Year…the four-year college/university winner is Edelina Lane of Ellenwood, a Family Child Care Provider who is a student at Point University; Technical College winner is Quinecia Styles Smith of Newnan, a lead teacher at Parker Chase Preschool North in Peachtree City and student at West Georgia Technical College; Carla Rogg is President of CARE Solutions that manages DECAL Scholars; and Carrie Ashbee, executive director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning.  Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

You've probably heard about the Georgia's Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year, something we've done since the 2016-2017 school year.  Now thanks to the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, we are also recognizing early education teachers of children birth to preschool through the inaugural Georgia's Early Childhood Educators of the Year Program.  Joining us to talk about Georgia's Early Childhood Educators of the Year is Thea Stevens, Supervisor of the Infant Toddler Program here at DECAL, and Carrie Ashbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning.   Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

This year is the 20th anniversary of the DECAL Scholars Program that provides financial and educational support to our early care and education workforce. The program is known for providing scholarships to assist with educational expenses, awards when you earn an ECE credential or degree, and incentives which provide a salary boost when you earn your entry level credential or higher education degree.  As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, DECAL will recognize two Scholars of the Year…one from a four-year college and one from a technical college.  Joining us to talk about DECAL Scholars and the 20th anniversary is Brandi Swain from CARE Solutions; Barbara McWethy our Workforce Support Manager; and Carrie Ashbee, executive director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning.  Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning has been busy providing free child care scholarships to essential workers with children birth to five. They have also been helping Santa with gifts for Georgia’s Foster Children through DFCS and Clark’s Christmas Kids. Joining us from the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning is Executive Director Carrie Ashbee, along with DECAL Director of Government Relations and Special Projects Liz Young. Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

Thursday, August 20, 2020, 1-2 pm Courageous Conversations with Sheree welcomes the 64th Mayor and Savannah's REAL Taskforce appointee, Dr. Otis S. Johnson. Dr. Johnon was recently appointed by Savannah's current Mayor Van Johnson, II to develop strategies that focus on racial equity and leadership throughout the city. Join us this Thursday at 107.5 FM or WRUU.org. Otis S. Johnson, Ph.D. Former Scholar in Residence Savannah State University Former Mayor, City of Savannah, Georgia Dr. Otis Samuel Johnson served as Scholar in Residence at Savannah State University from February 2012 to May 2019 after serving eight years as the 64th Mayor of the city of Savannah, Georgia. He was elected to Mayor in 2003 and reelected in 2007. He ended his second term on December 31, 2011. Dr. Johnson was prohibited from running for a third four-year term because of a term limit law. While mayor, Dr. Johnson provided leadership for the creation of Step Up Savannah, Inc., a poverty reduction initiative, and Healthy Savannah, an initiative that promotes healthy lifestyles. Dr. Johnson has devoted his professional career to making conditions better for low wealth families in Savannah and the South. He worked for the Economic Opportunity Authority and the Model Cities Program before he began teaching at Savannah State University in 1971. He organized the undergraduate program in social work at Savannah State University. Dr. Johnson was elected to the Savannah City Council in 1982 and reelected in 1986. He resigned from the City Council and a tenured faculty position at Savannah State University in 1988 to become Executive Director of the Annie E. Casey Foundation supported Chatham Savannah Youth Futures Authority. The Youth Futures Authority was a collaborative of organizations that worked with children and families that needed help. Dr. Johnson returned to Savannah State University in 1998 as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and was elected, without opposition, to a four-year term on the Savannah Chatham County Board of Public Education. Dr. Johnson retired from Savannah State University in 2002 and did not run for reelection to the Board of Education in order to prepare for his campaign for mayor. Dr. Johnson was a founding member of the Aspen Institute Roundtable on Comprehensive Community Initiatives in 1992 and the National Community Building Network in 1993. He was a member of the founding board of directors of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP) in 1995. He founded the Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA), a local community development corporation, in Savannah in 1996. Dr. Johnson was a member of the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education and Families during his eight years as mayor, chairing the Council in 2009. He served on the boards of the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, the Georgia Municipal Association, MDC, Inc. in Durham, NC, the Harris Neck Land Trust in McIntosh County, GA, Step Up Savannah, Inc. and Healthy Savannah. He is currently on the board of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. Dr. Johnson earned his doctorate degree from the Heller School in 1980.

Last April, a $250,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta allowed our Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning to assist essential workers and child care providers during COVID-19. Joining us to talk about the grant, part of the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Recovery and Response Fund, is Carrie Ashbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning. Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

A chat with Coy Bowles, lead guitarist for the Grammy Award winning Zac Brown Band, author of children’s books, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning. Coy joins us on the podcast after speaking to more than 700 DECAL employees at an All Staff Meeting held at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. Support the show (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

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 (http://www.decal.ga.gov)

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)

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 (http://www.decal.ga.gov)