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Bright from the Start News

News Product Recalls Food Recalls News Archive
Infant Formula Recall

Infant Formula Recall View More


Nutrition Newsletter May 2022- Happy Helpings

Nutrition Newsletter May 2022- Happy Helpings View More


Nutrition Newsletter March 2022 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter March 2022 - CACFP View More


DECAL Searching for Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year

New Program Celebrates Outstanding Early Education Teachers of children Birth to Preschool View More


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 View More


SFSP: Meal Pattern Waiver Expired

SFSP: Meal Pattern Waiver Expired View More


CACFP: Sponsor Monitoring Policy for Unaffiliated and Affiliated Sites

CACFP: Sponsor Monitoring Policy for Unaffiliated and Affiliated Sites View More


CACFP Mini-Grant Available

CACFP Mini-Grant Available View More


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. View More


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 View More


SFSP Fact Sheet

SFSP Fact Sheet View More


SFSP: How to Apply

How to Apply to participate in the SFSP Program View More


CACFP Sponsors: Monitoring Flexibilities during COVID-19

CACFP Sponsors: Monitoring Flexibilities during COVID-19 View More


SFSP FAQs Relating to Operations through December 31

SFSP FAQs Relating to Operations through December 31 View More


CACFP Area Eligibility Waiver for At-Risk Afterschool Meals

CACFP Area Eligibility Waiver for At-Risk Afterschool Meals View More


CACFP: Updated Guidance on Serving School Age Children

CACFP: Updated Guidance on Serving School Age Children View More


CACFP Policy Guidance for Serving School-Age Children

CACFP Policy Guidance for Serving View More


Updated Guidance for CACFP Operators Regarding School Year 2020-2021

Updated Guidance for CACFP Operators View More


FY 2021 CACFP Renewal Now Open

FY 2021 CACFP Renewal Now Open View More


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 View More


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 View More


Health and Safety Training Flyer

Health and Safety Training Flyer View More


New Head Start Performance Standards - Summary

New Head Start Performance Standards View More


New Head Start Performance Standards - Full Report

New Head Start Performance Standards View More


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. View More


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. View More


Free Online Transportation Training

Free Online Transportation Training View More

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May 23, 2022
DECAL Spotlights Dangers of Leaving Children in Vehicles

“Look Again” Campaign Urges Greater Awareness to Protect Georgia’s Youngest Citizens View More


May 18, 2022
Finalists Named for Georgia’s Pre-K Program Teachers of the Year 2022-2023

Finalists Demonstrate High Quality Early Childhood Education Across the State View More


May 03, 2022
Student Parents Added as Priority Group for Financial Support for Child Care through Georgia’s Child Care Subsidy Program

Student Parents are 13th “Priority Group” for Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) Program Eligibility View More


Mar 17, 2022
DECAL and QCC Help Georgia Families Find Safe, Affordable Summer Camps

Campaign Helps Parents Navigate Complex Summer Camp Landscape View More


Mar 09, 2022
Nutrition Newsletter March 2022- Happy Helpings

Nutrition Newsletter March 2022- Happy Helpings View More


Mar 09, 2022
Nutrition Newsletter February 2022 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter February 2022 - CACFP View More


Mar 07, 2022
DECAL Seeking Applications for Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year

Winner from Public School and Private Center Will Be Chosen View More


Mar 04, 2022
DECAL Announces 2Gen Grant Opportunities for Georgia Communities

Funding will allow organizations to pilot and implement family-focused programs that promote economic security and respond to local needs View More


Feb 22, 2022
Pre-K Summer Transition Program Offered Again in 2022

Program supports students who did not attend Georgia Pre-K or Head Start or who need additional help before entering kindergarten View More


Feb 18, 2022
Nutrition Newsletter February 2022- Happy Helpings

Nutrition Newsletter February 2022- Happy Helpings View More


Feb 18, 2022
Georgia Child Care Programs Are Now Eligible to Enroll in the Clean Water for Georgia Kids Program

GA Department of Education and RTI International Partnering with DECAL on Federal Grant to Train, Test, and Take Action to Eliminate Lead in Drinking and Cooking Water View More


Feb 08, 2022
Nutrition Newsletter January 2022- CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter January 2022- CACFP View More


Feb 04, 2022
DECAL Announces the 2022 Quality Rated Language and Literacy Endorsement Program

Applications Accepted February 4-25, 2022 View More


Jan 24, 2022
Applications to Provide Georgia’s Pre-K Program Now Available

Deadline for Applying is February 16, 2022, at 5:00 PM View More


Jan 06, 2022
Nutrition Newsletter January 2022- Happy Helpings

Nutrition Newsletter January 2022- Happy Helpings View More


Jan 04, 2022
DECAL Announces Round Two of POWER Payments

Supplemental Payments of $1,000 For All Eligible Early Learning Professionals and Staff in Georgia View More


Dec 20, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter December 2021 - Happy Helpings

Nutrition Newsletter December 2021 - Happy Helpings View More


Dec 17, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter December 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter December 2021 - CACFP View More


Dec 10, 2021
DECAL Announces Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year for 2021-2022 School Year

Winners from Centers in Savannah, Marietta, and Chickamauga View More


Nov 17, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter November 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter November 2021 - CACFP View More


Nov 17, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter November 2021 - Happy Helpings

Nutrition Newsletter November 2021 - Happy Helpings View More


Oct 25, 2021
Finalists Named for Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year

New Program Celebrates Outstanding Early Education Teachers of children Birth to Preschool View More


Oct 21, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter October 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter October 2021 - CACFP View More


Oct 21, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter September 2021 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter September 2021 - SFSP View More


Oct 18, 2021
Georgia Increasing Children Served through CAPS Program by 10,000 and Expands Eligibility

Bonus Payments to Quality Rated Providers Increasing by 15-percent based on Star Level View More


Oct 11, 2021
STABLE 4WARD Opens October 18 for Licensed Georgia Child Care Providers

Funds Will Help Mitigate Financial Impact of COVID-19 View More


Oct 07, 2021
Approved Child & Adult Care Organizations serving Healthy Meals and Snacks to children and adults qualify for cash reimbursement

Child Care, Adult Daycare, Head Start, At-Risk Afterschool programs, Emergency Shelters across Georgia may be eligible View More


Oct 05, 2021
DECAL Announces Georgia’s Pre-K Teachers of the Year for 2021-2022 School Year

Winners from Public School in Perry and Private Program in Lilburn View More


Oct 01, 2021
11th Annual Georgia Pre-K Week Celebrated

Voices for Georgia’s Children and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) are hosting the 11th annual Georgia Pre-K Week next week. View More


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 View More


Aug 12, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter August 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter August 2021 - CACFP View More


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 View More


Aug 05, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter August 2021 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter August 2021 - SFSP View More


Jul 01, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter June 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter June 2021 - CACFP View More


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 View More


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 View More


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. View More


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 View More


May 18, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter May 2021 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter May 2021 - SFSP View More


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 View More


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 View More


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 View More


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 View More


Apr 21, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter April 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter April 2021 - CACFP View More


Apr 12, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter April 2021 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter April 2021 - SFSP View More


Mar 24, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter March 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter March 2021 - CACFP View More


Mar 24, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter March 2021 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter March 2021 - SFSP View More


Mar 23, 2021
DECAL unveils New Family Resource Page

New Page Offers Helpful Information Specific to Families View More


Mar 22, 2021
STABLE Round 3 Opens March 22 for Licensed Georgia Child Care Providers

Funds Will Mitigate Financial Impact of COVID-19 View More


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 View More


Mar 01, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter February 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter February 2021 - CACFP View More


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. View More


Feb 15, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter February 2021 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter February 2021 - SFSP View More


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. View More


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 View More


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! View More


Feb 01, 2021
Decidedly DECAL - 2021 Winter Edition

Our quarterly newsletter for employees and supporters of DECAL and quality early childhood education in Georgia. View More


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 View More


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 View More


Jan 27, 2021
Kemp & DECAL Unveil Pre-K, Assistant & Child Care Teachers Supplemental Pay Program

Program Recognizes Dedication & Hard Work During COVID-19 Pandemic View More


Jan 25, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter January 2021 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter January 2021 - CACFP View More


Jan 12, 2021
Nutrition Newsletter January 2021 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter January 2021 - SFSP View More


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 View More


Dec 16, 2020
DECAL Expanding Support for School Age Children and Young Adults with Disabilities

Funding Provides Working Parents Secure Option for Their Children View More


Dec 14, 2020
DECAL supports Georgia Child Care Programs with $92 million in CARES Funding for 2020

Funds Mitigate Financial Impact of COVID-19 View More


Dec 11, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter December 2020 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter December 2020 - SFSP View More


Dec 02, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter December 2020 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter December 2020- CACFP View More


Oct 22, 2020
Georgia Child Care Programs Eligible for Round 2 of STABLE Payments

Funds Will Mitigate Financial Impact of COVID-19 View More


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 View More


Oct 20, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter October 2020 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter October 2020 - CACFP View More


Oct 05, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter October 2020 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter October 2020 - SFSP View More


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 View More


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! View More


Sep 23, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter September 2020 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter September 2020 - CACFP View More


Sep 09, 2020
DECAL Debuts a New Website Dedicated to Tracking a Child’s Developmental Milestones

Free Tools to Track Your Child’s Development View More


Sep 09, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter September 2020 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter September 2020 - SFSP View More


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 View More


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 View More


Aug 14, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter August 2020 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter August 2020 - CACFP View More


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 View More


Aug 05, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter July 2020 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter July 2020 - SFSP View More


Aug 05, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter July 2020 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter July 2020 - CACFP View More


Jun 16, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter June 2020 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter June 2020 - SFSP View More


Jun 16, 2020
Nutrition Newsletter May 2020 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter May 2020 - SFSP View More


Jun 05, 2020
DECAL Awards Two-Generation Innovation Grants for 2020-2021

Funding Helps Communities Develop Programs to Promote Family Economic Security View More


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 View More


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 View More


Mar 20, 2020
List of Emergency Feeding Locations

List of Emergency Feeding Locations View More


Mar 16, 2020
FAQs: Serving meals to children during unanticipated school closures

Nutrition: FAQs: Serving meals to children during unanticipated school closures View More


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 View More


Nov 13, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter November 2019 - SFSP

Nutrition Newsletter November 2019 - SFSP View More


Oct 31, 2019
Nutrition Newsletter October 2019 - CACFP

Nutrition Newsletter October 2019 - CACFP View More


Dec 12, 2016
Health and Safety Training Flyer

Health and Safety Training Flyer View More


Dec 12, 2016
Free Online Health and Safety Training

Free Online Health and Safety Training View More

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