DECAL - Bright from the Start: News

News Product Recalls Food Recalls News Archive

Call for Curriculum Submissions

Bright from the Start is accepting submissions for the FY14 GA Curriculum Review and Approval Process. The review will result in an approved curriculum list for Georgia’s Pre-K Programs and a recommended curriculum list for Georgia’s birth to five early learning programs. For more information, click title above. View More

Farm to Preschool Day is Friday, October 18, 2013

Program Promotes Fresh, Local Fruits and Vegetables for Children During their Most Formative Years View More

Zoo Atlanta celebrates Georgia’s Pre-K Program

Pre-K Week, October 21-25, 2013, includes discount admission for Pre-K classes, special shows and activities View More

DECAL Proposes Changes to Criminal Records Check Rules

DECAL is holding a public hearing on proposed changes to rules governing child care programs to reflect recent changes in Georgia law. View More

DECAL Hosting Georgia’s Top Child Care Programs for Conference

Quality Rated Helps Parents in Selecting Quality Early Education Programs View More

DECAL Launches “Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits” Program For 8 Southeast Georgia Counties

Program Promotes Healthy Eating and Exercise for Children Birth to Five View More

DECAL releases "Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits" Request for Applications (RFA) for Sub-grant Funding (Day Care Home Application)

Bright from the Start announced the availability of the RFA Sub-Grant for Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits. View More

DECAL releases "Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits" Request for Applications (RFA) for Sub-grant Funding (Child Care Center Application)

Bright from the Start announced the availability of the RFA Sub-Grant for Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits. View More

Child Care Fingerprint Law Takes Effect January 1, 2014

New Law Requires National Fingerprint-Based Background Checks for All Employees of Georgia’s approximately 6,000 child care facilities View More

Sponsors needed to serve meals to children next summer

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) served 3.6 million meals during Summer, 2013 View More

Georgia Awarded Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge Funds

Commissioner Cagle: New early education initiatives made Georgia’s application stronger and more competitive View More

DECAL and Georgia Food Bank Offering Grants to Serve More Children in Summer Meal Program

New Efforts include Backpack Programs and Mobile Meal Sites View More

DECAL Extends Deadline for “Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits” in Southeast Georgia Counties

Deadline is now February 25 for program promoting Healthy Eating and Exercise for Children Birth to Five View More

DECAL joins Zoo Atlanta for Educator Appreciation Day

Educators receive FREE admission and $2 OFF General Admission for accompanying guests. View More

DECAL and Yaarab Shrine Circus promote Early Reading

“Red Fez Reading Club” offers Free Circus Tickets to Young Readers View More

Results of Year Two of Pre-K Longitudinal Study Released

Report by national experts in early childhood education and care concludes that, as a universal program, Georgia’s Pre-K Program significantly improves school readiness skills in language, literacy and math. View More

Research Concludes Georgia’s Pre-K Program Significantly Improves School Readiness across Key Domains of Learning

Students Scored Above National Norm in Language, Literacy and Math View More

Registration Begins for 2014-2015 Georgia’s Pre-K Program

Lottery Funded Program Open for All Age Eligible Four Year Olds in Georgia View More

View product recall website

Eastman Footwear Recalls Coleman Runestone Children's Shoes Due to Laceration Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Big 5 Sporting Goods

The metal rivets surrounding the holes where the shoestring is secured on the shoes can have sharp edges, posing a laceration hazard. View More

Infantino Recalls Teething Toys Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target

The tail of the monkey can pose a choking hazard to young children. View More

BebeLove Recalls Baby Walkers Due to Fall and Entrapment Hazards

The walkers failed to meet federal safety standards. Specifically, style number 358 can fit through a standard doorway and is not designed to stop at the edge of a step as required by the federal safety standard. In addition, style number 368 contains leg openings that allow the child to slip down until the child's head can become entrapped at the neck. Babies using these walkers can be seriously injured or killed. View More

Lion Force Recalls Boys' Puffer Coats Due to Strangulation Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Burlington Coat Factory

The jackets have a drawstring through the hood which can pose a strangulation hazard to children. View More

Runway Global Recalls Girls' Sugarfly Hooded Jackets Due to Strangulation Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Burlington Coat Factory

The jackets have drawstrings in the hood around the neck area that pose a strangulation hazard to young children. View More

Strollers Recalled by Britax Due to Partial Fingertip Amputation Hazard

The hinge on the stroller's folding mechanism can partially amputate consumers' fingertips, break their fingers or cause severe lacerations, among other injuries, when they press the release button while pulling on the release strap. View More

Fred & Friends Recalls Infant Pacifiers Due to Choking Hazard

The pacifiers fail to meet federal safety standards. The beard on the Artiste and the knob on the Volume pacifiers can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. In addition, the ventilation holes on the Volume and Panic pacifier guards are too small. View More

IKEA Expands Recall of Junior Beds that Pose Laceration Hazard

The metal rod connecting the guard rail to the bed frame can break in use, posing a laceration hazard. View More

Playtex Recalls Pacifier Holder Clips Due to Choking Hazard

The pacifier holder clips can crack and a small part can break off which poses a choking hazard to small children. View More

Baby Rattles Recalled by Midwest-CBK Due to Choking Hazard

The head on the rattle can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. View More

View food recall website

Utah Firm Recalls Fully-Cooked-Not-Shelf-Stable, Ready-To-Eat Pork Roast Products Produced Under The Wrong Haccp Plan And For Mislabeling

Creminelli Fine Meats, LLC, a Salt Lake City, Utah, establishment, is recalling 31 pieces (approximately 101 pounds) of fully-cooked-not-shelf-stable, ready-to-eat pork roast products because they were produced under the wrong Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan and for mislabeling View More

Wisconsin Firm Recalls Frozen Chicken Products Due To Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen

Intevation Food Group, LLC, a Plover, Wis., establishment, is recalling approximately 156,924 pounds of frozen chicken fettuccine Alfredo products because of misbranding and an undeclared allergen, egg. View More

Texas Firm Recalls Various Raw Poultry Products Produced Without the Benefit of Inspection

Fran's Fryers, a Milford, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 251 pounds of various raw poultry products because they were produced without the benefit of federal inspection. View More

California Firm Recalls Grilled Chicken Salad Products Due To Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Glass Onion Catering, a Richmond, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 181,620 pounds of ready-to-eat salads and sandwich wrap products with fully-cooked chicken and ham that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. View More

Kansas Firm Recalls Chicken, Ham and Beef Products Due To Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Reser's Fine Foods is expanding its recall of chicken, ham and beef products to include all products produced between Oct. 10 and Oct. 25, 2013. View More

Maryland And Texas Firms Recall Broccoli Salad Kits With Dressing For Possible Listeria Contamination

Taylor Farms Maryland, Inc. in Jessup, Md. and Taylor Farms Texas Inc. in Dallas are recalling approximately 22,849 pounds of broccoli salad kit products due to concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the salad dressing View More

Kansas Firm Recalls Chicken, Ham And Beef Products Due To Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Reser's Fine Foods, a Topeka, Kan. establishment, is expanding its recall of chicken, ham and beef products to include all products produced between Sept. 5 and Oct. 9, 2013. View More

Maryland Firm Recalls Broccoli Salad Kits For Possible Listeria Contamination

Taylor Farms, a Jessup, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 5,084 pounds of broccoli salad kit products. View More

Wisconsin Firm Recalls Ready-To-Eat Chicken And Ham Products Due To Potential Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Garden Fresh Foods, a Milwaukee, WI. establishment, is recalling approximately 103,080 additional pounds of ready-to-eat chicken and ham products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. View More

Minnesota Firm Recalls Ground Beef Product Due To Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Costco, in Coon Rapids, Minn., is recalling an undetermined amount of lean fresh ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. View More

Additional Information Concerning Open Community Meetings (04-09-2010)

Key discussion points concerning one proposed rule revision regarding an exemption for school age programs. View More

Bright from the Start Hosting Open Community Meetings (04-08-2010)

Bright from the Start's Child Care Services Division will host three open community meetings to discuss one proposed rule revision regarding an exemption for school age programs. View More

Caregivers Promoting Healthy Habits Program (04-05-2010)

Bright from the Start has announced a new program to support wellness policies in child care centers in southwest Georgia. View More

Open House Information for Potential Fulton County Head Start Sponsor (03-31-2010)

The Office of Head Start will be holding a Facility Tour for Fulton County, Georgia. Click above link for further information. View More

Georgia's Rise in Serious H1N1 Cases Worries CDC (03-30-2010)

Click link above to read about the uptick in H1N1 cases in a story posted on the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP) website. View More

Early Head Start Sponsor Needed in Fulton County (03-29-2010)

An Early Head Start program in Fulton County, Georgia needs a new sponsor. Click the link above for details. View More

Draft of Georgia State Advisory Council Grant Application (03-22-2010)

A draft of Georgia’s application for federal funds for the Georgia State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care is available for download and review. E-mail written comments about the application to Mark.Waits@decal.ga.gov before March 30, 2010. View More

Accreditation Facilitation Grant Request for Proposal issued (03-08-2010)

Bright from the Start is seeking applications from organizations that have the experience and the capability to provide services to assist child care programs in achieving or renewing national accreditation. To be considered, completed grant proposals must be received by Bright from the Start before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2010. View More

Early Learning Council ARRA grant application public meeting notice (02-23-2010)

The Georgia State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care will hold a public meeting to discuss its application for the federal state advisory council grant fund. View More

Georgia’s Pre-K Program serves one million children (02-03-2010)

The location of the Millionth Child currently being served by Georgia’s Pre-K Program has been revealed. The millionth child walked through the doors of Sumter County Primary School in Americus, Georgia! Governor Sonny and Mrs. Mary Perdue will kick off a special celebration at the school on Thursday, February 18. View More

Sponsors needed to serve meals to children during the summer (02-01-2010)

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is looking for eligible sponsors to serve nutritious meals to children throughout Georgia this summer. View More

Adoption of Proposed Rule Amendments (02-01-2010)

Commissioner's Order as of 12/02/09 and Hearing Officer's Report View More

Proposed Revisions - Rules for Child Care Learning Centers (02-01-2010)

Document detailing the proposed rule revisions for Child Care Learning Centers View More

Proposed Revisions - Rules for Group Day Care Homes (02-01-2010)

Document detailing the proposed rule revisions for Group Day Care Homes View More

Proposed Revisions - Rules for Family Day Care Homes (02-01-2010)

Document detailing the proposed rule revisions for Family Day Care Homes View More

Email Notification from the Assistant Commissioner (02-01-2010)

Email sent to Child Care Providers regarding the proposed rule revisions in Child Care Services View More

Sept. 29, 2009 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Public Hearing (02-01-2010)

Notice of Public Hearing and Proposed Rulemaking for Child Care Services View More

Temporary Child Care Assistance is Available (01-11-2010)

The state of Georgia has funding available to help parents with the cost of child care services. View More

Bright from the Start Launches Pilot Nutrition Education Project in 14 Southwest Georgia Counties. “Request for Applications - now available”. (12-28-2009)

Bright from the Start received a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to launch a pilot nutrition project targeted in southwest Georgia. View More

Bright from the Start has teamed with Scholastic to offer the Read and Rise Family Guide to families. (12-09-2009)

It is critical that children have the literacy skills to be successful in school and throughout life. Click the link above to download the guide. View More

ARRA funds to upgrade 3,800 Georgia's Pre-K Classrooms released by Bright from the Start (10-29-2009)

Bright from the Start has released approximately $1.7 million in funds to upgrade and improve more than 3,800 classrooms that are part of Georgia's Pre-K Program. View More

How to Log In Books (10-14-2009)

For the Millionth Child Campaign View More

How to Donate Pennies (10-14-2009)

For Millionth Child Campaign View More

Called Telephone Board Meeting: Sept 28th, 8:00am to 9:00am, Rm 601 at 10 Park Place South, SE, ATL, GA (09-22-2009)

Bright from the Start will have a called telephone board meeting September 28, 2009, 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. The board will review and vote on the proposed rule amendments. The meeting will be held in Room 601 at 10 Park Place South, SE, Atlanta, GA 30303. Click on the eBOARD link to see the agenda. For more information on the proposed amendments, click on "Rule Update" and "Voting on Rules" agenda items. View More

Georgia First Lady Mary Perdue to Host Reading Under the Stars (08-14-2009)

First Lady Mary Perdue will host Georgia's Pre-K students for a live reading at the Governor's Mansion. View More

Latest H1N1 Virus Update from Bright from the Start and the Georgia Department of Community Health (08-07-2009)

These state agencies have issued up-to-date information on the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) especially concerning school districts and the child care industry. View More

2009-2010 Even Start Family Literacy Grant Update (07-22-2009)

Even Start Family Literacy Program request for application has been posted. View More

Georgia First Lady Mary Perdue kicks off the Millionth Child Celebration! (07-15-2009)

Celebrating Georgia's Pre-K Program: A Million Dreams...and Counting View More

A Second Look at the Georgia Pre-K Audit (07-02-2009)

Christina Satkowski wrote the blog titled "A Second Look at the Georgia Pre-K Audit" on June 26, 2009. View More

Training registration for Georgia's Pre-K Program for the 2009-10 school year is now open! (06-23-2009)

Bright from the Start Training Registration for Georgia's Pre-K Program for the 2009-10 school year is now open for registration. View More

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2009 (05-12-2009)

As a result of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, there is new money available for Head Start Expansion, Early Head Start, Seasonal/Migrant Head Start, and Alaskan/Native American Head Start. Grant information is now available. View More

Bright from the Start Partners with Path2College and Sonic® to reward Pre-K Students with a Free Vanilla Twist (05-07-2009)

I-Scream, You-Scream, We All Scream For College Savings! View More

Access to Ga. Pre-K program third-best nationally, study says (04-23-2009)

In a state that is accustomed to ranking near the bottom on several education measures, here’s some good news about Georgia schools. View More

Governor and First Lady Perdue proudly announce new Pre-K book! (04-22-2009)

Governor Sonny Perdue and his wife First Lady Mary Perdue are excited to announce the Governor’s Pre-K book for 2009-2010, How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz. View More

Order Adopting Amendments to Rule Chapter 591-1-1, Rule Chapter 290-2-1 and Rule Chapter 290-2-3 (04-21-2009)

Order Adopting Amendments to Rule Chapter 591-1-1, Rule Chapter 290-2-1 and Rule Chapter 290-2-3 View More

2009-2010 Even Start Family Literacy RFA (04-15-2009)

Bright from the Start announces funding opportunities on the web site and sends e-mails to interested agencies and individuals to notify them when a new Request for Application or Request for Proposal is released. View More

Read to children. Win prizes. Click here. (03-26-2009)

Georgia Reads Aloud Day is an annual event celebrating the impact of reading on children’s lives. Early care and learning providers, parents, and the community are encouraged to reinforce the importance of reading by making a special effort to read to children of all ages on this day. View More

Georgia Junior Leagues to read for one million minutes (03-26-2009)

Georgia Junior Leagues is participating in a new initiative called "The Million Minute Read" to promote literacy and school readiness in Georgia. View More

Notice of Public Hearing and Proposed Amendments to Rules for Child Care Learning Centers, Group Day Care Homes and Family Day Care Homes (03-10-2009)

Notice of Public Hearing and Proposed Amendments to Rules for Child Care Learning Centers, Group Day Care Homes and Family Day Care Homes View More

Pre-K Application for 2009-2010 Has Passed (03-09-2009)

Pre-K Application 2010 - 2011 will be available in February 2010 View More

The Child Care Resource and Referral Services Grant is now available. (03-09-2009)

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is soliciting proposals from agencies or organizations that have the capacity to provide community-based Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) services in one or more of the six regions for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. View More

Order Adopting Amendments to Rule Chapter 290-2-3, the Rules and Regulations for Family Day Care Homes and Hearing Office Report (01-22-2009)

Order Adopting Amendments to Rule Chapter 290-2-3, the Rules and Regulations for Family Day Care Homes and Hearing Office Report View More

First Lady Mary Perdue "Reads For The Record" (01-09-2009)

First Lady, Mary Perdue reads "Courdoroy". (video) View More

Janice M. Haker named director of Head Start State Collaboration Office (01-09-2009)

ATLANTA, Ga., (July 29, 2008) – Dr. Holly A. Robinson, commissioner of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Susie Wilcher, president of the Georgia Head Start Association (GHSA), Bobby Griffin, Head Start branch manager, and Judith Deane, program specialist and Georgia State Liaison for the Region IV Office of Head Start, announced that Janice M. Haker has been named director of the Head Start State Collaboration Office. View More

Free Web Site Launched to Help Immigrants Learn English (01-09-2009)

The U.S. Department of Education today launched U.S.A. Learns, a free Web site to help immigrants learn English. The Web site, which is located at www.USALearns.org, provides approximately 11 million adults who have low levels of English proficiency with easily accessible and free English language training. View More