DECAL Searching for Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year
New Program Celebrates Outstanding Early Education Teachers of children Birth to Preschool
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Georgia’s Pre-K Program Returns for Post-Pandemic 2021-2022 School Year
Georgia’s Pre-K Program Returns for Post-Pandemic 2021-2022 School Year
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SFSP: Meal Pattern Waiver Expired
SFSP: Meal Pattern Waiver Expired
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CACFP: Sponsor Monitoring Policy for Unaffiliated and Affiliated Sites
CACFP: Sponsor Monitoring Policy for Unaffiliated and Affiliated Sites
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CACFP Mini-Grant Available
CACFP Mini-Grant Available
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Georgia Essential Early Childhood Workforce Bonus FAQs
This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about the Early Childhood Professionals Bonus and will be updated on a regular basis as more information becomes available. Additional information on the application process, required verifications of employment, and other requirements will be provided to all eligible providers and professionals.
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Nutrition Newsletter August 2021 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter August 2021 - SFSP
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Nutrition Newsletter August 2021 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter August 2021 - CACFP
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FAQs: Serving meals to children during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency
FAQs: Serving meals to children during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency
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SFSP Fact Sheet
SFSP Fact Sheet
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SFSP: How to Apply
How to Apply to participate in the SFSP Program
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CACFP Sponsors: Monitoring Flexibilities during COVID-19
CACFP Sponsors: Monitoring Flexibilities during COVID-19
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SFSP FAQs Relating to Operations through December 31
SFSP FAQs Relating to Operations through December 31
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CACFP Area Eligibility Waiver for At-Risk Afterschool Meals
CACFP Area Eligibility Waiver for At-Risk Afterschool Meals
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CACFP: Updated Guidance on Serving School Age Children
CACFP: Updated Guidance on Serving School Age Children
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CACFP Policy Guidance for Serving School-Age Children
CACFP Policy Guidance for Serving
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Updated Guidance for CACFP Operators Regarding School Year 2020-2021
Updated Guidance for CACFP Operators
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FY 2021 CACFP Renewal Now Open
FY 2021 CACFP Renewal Now Open
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2020-2021 Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year Finalists Announced
DECAL Announces 2020-2021 Finalists for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year
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Foundation Awards Grants to Georgia Child Care Programs Impacted by Hurricane Michael
Forty-three mini-grants will help support 1,343 children and 220 teachers across 20 Georgia counties
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Health and Safety Training Flyer
Health and Safety Training Flyer
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New Head Start Performance Standards - Summary
New Head Start Performance Standards
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New Head Start Performance Standards - Full Report
New Head Start Performance Standards
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Early Head Start Child Care Partnership Grantees in Georgia
Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership grantees in Georgia can now access a webinar, originally webcast on May 18, 2015, that will explain the policies, procedures, and requirements for leveraging subsidies from the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program to serve eligible infants, toddlers, and their families. The webinar is a resource to help inform grantees of the supports available to them and how to access and optimize those supports.
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The Georgia Head Start Association (GHSA) has updated their Strategic Plan May 2015.
The plan was based on the results of the annual GHSA needs assessment . Click title to retrieve the plan.
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Free Online Transportation Training
Free Online Transportation Training
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Sep 01, 2021
DECAL joins Georgia Department of Public Health in Updating COVID-19 Guidance for Georgia Child Care Facilities
DECAL joins Georgia Department of Public Health in Updating COVID-19 Guidance for Georgia Child Care Facilities
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Aug 05, 2021
2021-2022 DECAL Scholars of the Year Announced
DECAL Scholars of the Year Recognize Individuals Actively Pursuing ECE Degree or Credential While Working in Child Care Workforce
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Jul 01, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter June 2021 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter June 2021 - CACFP
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Jun 18, 2021
Virtual Kickoff for Free Summer Meals
Atlanta Community Food Bank, Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Department of Early Care Learning, The Dairy Alliance and FoodFinder are partnering to host a virtual Summer Meal awareness panel
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Jun 15, 2021
DECAL Awards Transformation Grants to Eight Community Partnerships
Funded groups will develop and implement projects to improve vital service access and quality throughout Georgia
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May 27, 2021
SHARE Grant Application Guidance and FAQs
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) School-Age Help and Relief Effort (SHARE) grant application is available for child care providers who care for and support school age children.
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May 21, 2021
DECAL Scholars celebrates 20th Anniversary with two $1,500 Prizes for Early Educational Professionals
DECAL Scholars of the Year Recognizes Individuals Actively Pursuing ECE Degree or Credential While Working in Child Care Workforce
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May 20, 2021
DECAL Spotlights Dangers of Leaving Children in Vehicles
“Look Again” Campaign Urges Greater Awareness to Protect Georgia’s Youngest Citizens
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May 18, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter May 2021 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter May 2021 - SFSP
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May 17, 2021
DECAL and CAPS Announce ACCESS – Awarding Child Care Education Scholarship Supplements
Under ACCESS, CAPS family fees will be waived beginning May 17, 2021, through service period ending October 2, 2022
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May 13, 2021
Finalists Named for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year 2021-2022
Finalists Represent High Quality Early Childhood Education Programs Across the State
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Apr 23, 2021
Nine Community Partnerships Receive 2021 2Gen Innovation Grants
Funding allows groups to collaborate on piloting and implementing family-focused programs that promote economic security for student-parents and their young children
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Apr 23, 2021
Four Community Groups Receive 2021 Trauma Responsive Care Grants
Funding will allow organizations in Cobb, Jasper, Jones, and Whitfield Counties to build and implement trauma-responsive care practices in their communities and regions
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Apr 21, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter April 2021 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter April 2021 - CACFP
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Apr 12, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter April 2021 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter April 2021 - SFSP
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Mar 24, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter March 2021 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter March 2021 - CACFP
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Mar 24, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter March 2021 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter March 2021 - SFSP
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Mar 23, 2021
DECAL unveils New Family Resource Page
New Page Offers Helpful Information Specific to Families
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Mar 22, 2021
STABLE Round 3 Opens March 22 for Licensed Georgia Child Care Providers
Funds Will Mitigate Financial Impact of COVID-19
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Mar 18, 2021
Aspen Institute Announces Policy Acceleration Partnerships
Georgia’s DECAL Among Six Public Entities Partnering with Community Organizations to Advance Professional Success for Students Who Are Parents
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Mar 01, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter February 2021 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter February 2021 - CACFP
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Mar 01, 2021
Applications to Provide Georgia’s Pre-K Program Now Available
Deadline for Applying is March 19, 2021, at 5:00 PM
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Feb 24, 2021
DECAL Seeking Applications for Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year
Winner from Public School and Private Child Care Center Will Be Chosen
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Feb 22, 2021
Pre-K Summer Transition Program Offered Again in 2021
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is again offering a six-week intensive academic program this summer for rising kindergarteners.
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Feb 15, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter February 2021 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter February 2021 - SFSP
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Feb 05, 2021
Georgia Child Hunger Fact Sheet
Food insecurity has the potential to be harmful to individuals of any age, but it can be especially devastating to children.
The USDA estimates that more than 11 million children in the United States lived in food-insecure households in 2018.
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Feb 05, 2021
Nonprofit Organizations needed statewide to serve free meals to Georgia’s children this summer
DECAL hosting a virtual information summit on February 16 to share information with eligible organizations interested in becoming a Summer Food Service Program sponsor
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Feb 04, 2021
SFSP Summit Social Media Toolkit
Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to attend DECAL’s free, virtual Summer Food Service Program Summit on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to learn how the program works and about the responsibilities of being a sponsor. We need your help in spreading the word about this free informational and accessible event!
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Feb 01, 2021
Decidedly DECAL - 2021 Winter Edition
Our quarterly newsletter for employees and supporters of DECAL and quality early childhood education in Georgia.
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Feb 01, 2021
DECAL Announces Grant Opportunities for Georgia Communities
Funding will allow organizations to pilot and implement family-focused programs that promote economic security, support trauma-responsive care, and respond to local needs
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Feb 01, 2021
Georgia Celebrates Inclusive Early Learning Week 2021
Celebration aims to Increase Public Awareness of and Advocacy for Inclusion in Early Learning Classrooms
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Jan 27, 2021
Kemp & DECAL Unveil Pre-K, Assistant & Child Care Teachers Supplemental Pay Program
Program Recognizes Dedication & Hard Work During COVID-19 Pandemic
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Jan 25, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter January 2021 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter January 2021 - CACFP
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Jan 12, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter January 2021 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter January 2021 - SFSP
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Dec 17, 2020
CDC Report Highlights Success of Georgia Head Start Programs in Mitigating Spread of COVID-19
Georgia’s Head Start Collaboration Office Kept Programs Connected with Critical DECAL Services
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Dec 16, 2020
DECAL Expanding Support for School Age Children and Young Adults with Disabilities
Funding Provides Working Parents Secure Option for Their Children
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Dec 14, 2020
DECAL supports Georgia Child Care Programs with $92 million in CARES Funding for 2020
Funds Mitigate Financial Impact of COVID-19
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Dec 11, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter December 2020 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter December 2020 - SFSP
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Dec 02, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter December 2020 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter December 2020- CACFP
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Oct 22, 2020
Georgia Child Care Programs Eligible for Round 2 of STABLE Payments
Funds Will Mitigate Financial Impact of COVID-19
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Oct 22, 2020
Georgia’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) available for Eligible and Approved Facilities
Program reimburses approved facilities for providing nutritious meals and snacks served to children and adults in care
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Oct 20, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter October 2020 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter October 2020 - CACFP
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Oct 05, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter October 2020 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter October 2020 - SFSP
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Oct 02, 2020
DECAL Announces Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year for 2020-2021 School Year
Winners Are from Public School in Rome and Private Center in Hiram
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Sep 29, 2020
Georgia’s Pre-K Week Turns 10!
Georgia’s Pre-K Week is turning ten! And we are celebrating this milestone anniversary!
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Sep 23, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter September 2020 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter September 2020 - CACFP
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Sep 09, 2020
DECAL Debuts a New Website Dedicated to Tracking a Child’s Developmental Milestones
Free Tools to Track Your Child’s Development
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Sep 09, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter September 2020 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter September 2020 - SFSP
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Aug 31, 2020
DECAL to Offer Financial Assistance to School Age Students Whose Schools Have Opted for Virtual Learning
Funding Helps Working Families Find Secure and Safe Option for Their Children
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Aug 19, 2020
DECAL joins Georgia Department of Public Health in Offering COVID-19 Guidance for Georgia Child Care Facilities
Guidance Addresses Drop Off/Arrival and Food Prep/Meal Service to How and Where to Report Confirmed COVID cases in Child Care Programs
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Aug 14, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter August 2020 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter August 2020 - CACFP
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Aug 13, 2020
DECAL Offers Child Care Search for School Age Children Enrolled in Distance Learning
Child Care Programs Ready to Assist Parents Who Can’t Stay at Home
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Aug 05, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter July 2020 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter July 2020 - SFSP
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Aug 05, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter July 2020 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter July 2020 - CACFP
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Jun 16, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter June 2020 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter June 2020 - SFSP
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Jun 16, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter May 2020 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter May 2020 - SFSP
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Jun 05, 2020
DECAL Awards Two-Generation Innovation Grants for 2020-2021
Funding Helps Communities Develop Programs to Promote Family Economic Security
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May 01, 2020
Georgia’s CAPS Program Expands Child Care Assistance to Essential Services Workforce Serving During COVID-19 Pandemic
Tier 2 Funds for Grocery Store Employees, Farming, Food Delivery and Pick-up Available May 1, 2020
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Apr 30, 2020
Georgia Child Care Programs Invited to Apply for STABLE Payments
Funds Will Help Providers Remain Open or Reopen After Financial Impact of COVID-19
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Apr 24, 2020
Statement on Governor Brian P. Kemp’s April 23, 2020 Executive Order: Reviving A Healthy Georgia
Attribute to Amy M. Jacobs, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
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Apr 23, 2020
UPDATE: FOUNDATION SETS NEW LAUNCH DATE FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning (Foundation), the nonprofit arm of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) was recently awarded a $250,000 grant provided by the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Recovery and Response Fund, a partnership between the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta.
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Apr 21, 2020
Georgia’s CAPS Program Offering Child Care Assistance to Essential Services Workforce on Frontlines Fighting COVID-19 Pandemic
Emergency Child Care Scholarships will be Issued for Minimum of Three Months
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Apr 20, 2020
Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning receives $250K grant to support existing child care programs and families
The Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning (Foundation), the nonprofit arm of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) was recently awarded a $250,000 grant provided by the Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Recovery and Response Fund, a partnership between the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and United Way of Greater Atlanta.
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Apr 06, 2020
More than a Little Learning Going on Inside DECAL’s Toddler Time at Home
Online Resources Include Weekly Activities for Our Youngest Learners
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Apr 03, 2020
Statement on Governor Brian P. Kemp’s April 2, 2020 Shelter in Place Order for the State of Georgia and its impact on child care in Georgia
This Executive Order allows for all licensed child care facilities to remain open; however, the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) requests that providers prioritize care for children of the Critical Infrastructure Workforce.
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Mar 30, 2020
Statement on Georgia Department of Public Health Administrative Order issued 3/27/2020
Attribute to Amy M. Jacobs, Commissioner, Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
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Mar 27, 2020
Georgia’s Pre-K Program Offering Resources for At Home Learning
Pre-K Specialists Encourage Age-Appropriate Hands-on Activities
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Mar 26, 2020
Georgia’s Pre-K Program Closed Through April 24
DECAL and Advocates are Helping Families Locate Quality Child Care as COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
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Mar 21, 2020
DECAL says Child Care available during COVID-19
Agency and Advocates are Helping Families Locate Quality Child Care as Pandemic Continues
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Mar 20, 2020
Emergency Feeding Locations
Emergency Feeding Locations
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Mar 20, 2020
List of Emergency Feeding Locations
List of Emergency Feeding Locations
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Mar 18, 2020
Gov. Kemp, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning,YMCA of Metro Atlanta providing Child Care for Medical Workers during COVID-19
YMCA of Metro Atlanta will dedicate facilities as child care centers in Atlanta beginning March 20, 2020
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Mar 18, 2020
DECAL Announces 2020 Two-Generation Innovation Grant Opportunity
Funding will help communities pilot and implement programs that promote family economic security
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Mar 16, 2020
FAQs: Serving meals to children during unanticipated school closures
Nutrition: FAQs: Serving meals to children during unanticipated school closures
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Mar 15, 2020
Update from Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs on COVID-19 Coronavirus in Georgia
Following is information that explains DECAL’s position on closing programs, on public health resources, and on financial policy decisions that DECAL has enacted.
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Mar 13, 2020
Update on COVID-19 Coronavirus
Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs has this message for child care providers on COVID-19 Coronavirus in Georgia
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Feb 24, 2020
DECAL Seeking Applications for Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year
Winner from Public School and Private Center Will Be Chosen
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Feb 24, 2020
Media Alert: Summer Food Service Program Summit is February 25th in Macon
Clarissa Hayes, senior child nutrition policy analyst, with the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) serves as the conference keynote speaker and will discuss Child Hunger in Georgia.
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Jan 27, 2020
Sponsors Needed to Serve Meals to Hungry Children in Summer 2020
DECAL hosting information summit on Feb 25 to share information about becoming a Sponsor for the Summer Food Service Program
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Jan 22, 2020
Georgia Awarded $11.2 Million to Support High Quality Early Education Statewide
Funding Builds on initial $2.9 Million PDG Planning Grant Received in January 2019
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Jan 06, 2020
Applications to Provide Georgia’s Pre-K Program Now Available
Deadline for Submitting Applications is January 24, 2020, at 5:00 PM
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Nov 19, 2019
DECAL Information
Looking for a specific division or service within the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning? This handout might be helpful!
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Nov 13, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter November 2019 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter November 2019 - SFSP
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Oct 31, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter October 2019 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter October 2019 - SFSP
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Oct 31, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter October 2019 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter October 2019 - CACFP
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Oct 08, 2019
Georgia’s Child and Adult Care Food Program Available to Eligible and Approved Facilities
The nutrition program reimburses approved facilities for providing nutritious meals and snacks served to children and adults in care.
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Oct 07, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter September 2019 - CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter September 2019 - CACFP
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Oct 07, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter September 2019 - SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter September 2019 - SFSP
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Oct 04, 2019
First Lady Marty Kemp and Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs to visit Children’s Development Academy in Roswell
October 10 visit is part of Georgia Pre-K Week
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Oct 02, 2019
DECAL and Voices for Georgia’s Children host Statewide Celebration of Early Learning
Georgia Pre-K Week is October 7-11, 2019; First Lady Marty Kemp and Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs will Kick Off the Week at Appletree Prep in Bogart, GA
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Sep 13, 2019
DECAL and Georgia Foundation for Early Care + Learning Announce Georgia’s Pre-K Program 2019-2020 Teachers of the Year
Teachers from Public School System and Private Child Care Center are recognized to represent the public-private partnership that has helped with program’s success
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Aug 22, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter August 2019 – CACFP
Nutrition Newsletter August 2019 – CACFP
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Jul 02, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter August 2019 – SFSP
Nutrition Newsletter August 2019 – SFSP
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Dec 12, 2016
Health and Safety Training Flyer
Health and Safety Training Flyer
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Dec 12, 2016
Free Online Health and Safety Training
Free Online Health and Safety Training
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