Supporting Early Education and Development for Success (SEEDS)

The SEEDS program is designed to enhance early learning classroom practices for early learning educators. It equips educators with evidence-based strategies to foster optimal developmental outcomes for all children, including those with disabilities and challenging behaviors.

Professional Development:
SEEDS provides ongoing training and coaching for early childhood educators, focusing on high-quality instructional practices, relationship-building, and individualized support.
Classroom Practices:
Educators learn to implement developmentally appropriate practices that promote language, literacy, social-emotional growth, and cognitive development. Emphasis is placed on intentional interactions, scaffolding, and adaptive learning environments.
SEEDS Program Specialists:
Specialists serve as mentors and coaches, supporting educators through observation, feedback, and modeling of effective strategies. They help tailor approaches to meet the diverse needs of children in each classroom.
Support for Children with Disabilities and Challenging Behaviors:
The program emphasizes adaptive learning practices, developmental milestones, and social emotional learning. Educators are trained to recognize and respond to individual needs, using data-informed strategies to reduce barriers to learning.
SEEDS promotes the use of developmental screening and progress monitoring to ensure children are meeting key milestones. Educators use this data to inform instruction and provide targeted interventions.

Pyramid Model Implementation Project:

Currently, one of the primary programs administered by DECAL under Georgia’s SEEDS for SUCCESS is the Pyramid Model Implementation Project. This project supports teams of early childhood professionals by providing free training and technical assistance designed to help teachers use evidence-based strategies to improve classroom climate, and to prevent and reduce persistent challenging behavior. The Pyramid Model for Supporting Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children (The Pyramid Model) is a framework of evidence-based practices that provides universal supports promoting the social emotional development of all young children, as well as additional supports for children and families with more complex needs. If you would like more information about the model please go to https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/.

Project Goals:

To promote the social and emotional development of children, birth-five, through a collaborative professional development system that fosters and sustains the state-wide, high-fidelity use of the Pyramid Model.
Increase the capacity of the workforce in supporting the social emotional development of young children (birth – 5).

Pyramid Model Implementation Sites:

Programs receive on-going training and technical assistance provided to ensure fidelity of implementation
Programs across the state are engaged in program-wide implementation of the Pyramid Model framework

SEEDS Pyramid Model Grants:

2019-2020 SEEDS Grant Guidelines

Contact the Helpline to request training, resources, or coaching support at 1.833.354.4357 or seedshelpline@decal.ga.gov.