Training and Technical Assistance

The goal of the Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Unit is to improve performance and better equip new and participating institutions and sponsors by providing practical, user-friendly resources and guidance materials that strengthen internal controls and result in successful, sustainable Program administration and operation.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) New Applicant Training
The training series is offered to eligible public or private nonprofit child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, Head Start programs, adult day care facilities which provide structured, comprehensive services to nonresidential adults who are functionally impaired, aged 60 or older and other institutions which are licensed or approved to provide day care services. The training series includes the following:
1. eLearning Training (ELT) - Introduction to the Child and Adult Care Food Program
  This self-paced online course will provide information about the benefits of the program and how to participate. It will discuss three [3] core areas.
  1. What is the Child and Adult Care Food Program
  2. USDA CACFP Meal Patterns
  3. CACFP Resources
  Select instructions to register for the Introduction to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) course in the GA PDS Online Learning Library Initiative (OLLI). All new applicants must complete this online course prior to attending the comprehensive instructor-led CACFP Training. After successfully completing this online course, organizations may contact Nutrition Services at 404-657-1779 to register for the instructor-led CACFP Training.
2. Instructor-Led Training (ILT) - CACFP Orientation Training
  This live instructor-led session will provide detailed information about program requirements and operations. It will discuss four [4] core areas.
  1. Free and Reduced-Price Policy
  2. Recordkeeping
  3. Program Payments
  4. State Agency Monitoring Requirements
  All new applicants must complete this instructor-led session prior to receiving overall training credit to apply for participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Please see the Training Calendar for the upcoming CACFP Training sessions.
3. eLearning Training (ELT) - Navigating GA ATLAS
  This self-paced online course will provide step-by-step instructions on how to complete the GA ATLAS application packet, including tips and best practices. It will discuss eight [8] core areas.
  1. Overview of GA ATLAS
  2. Institution Application
  3. Board of Directors
  4. Budget Assertions and Budget
  5. Management Plan
  6. Checklist Summary and Attachment List
  7. Site Applications
  8. Application Packet Error Processing and Saving Forms
  All new applicants are strongly encouraged to complete this online course prior to completing the online CACFP application. Select instructions to register for the Navigating GA ATLAS course in the GA PDS Online Learning Library Initiative (OLLI).
Registration Summary Steps for New Applicant Training
Step 1: Register and complete the Introduction to the Child and Adult Care Food Program eLearning course in GA PDS (OLLI).
- Select How to Register for Introduction to the Child and Adult Care Food Program Training
Step 2: Register and complete the instructor-led CACFP Orientation Training.
- After successfully completing step 1, organizations may contact Nutrition Services at 404-657-1779 to register for the instructor-led CACFP Training
Step 3: Register and complete the Navigating GA ATLAS eLearning course in GA PDS (OLLI).
- Select How to Register for Navigating GA ATLAS Training
Note: See the Resources Section for the How-To guides.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Specialized Training for Participating Institutions

Training sessions include various Program specific topics related to daily administrative and operational functions and requirements. Training may be offered in-person or online. The Program Contact (PC) may self-register within GA ATLAS for specialized training sessions. To register an additional person, please contact Nutrition Services at 404-657-1779. Please see the Training Calendar for upcoming training sessions.
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Annual Training for Participating Institutions

All participating CACFP institutions and sponsors that have entered into an agreement with Bright from the Start: GA DECAL, must complete training annually to continue or renew program participation. Annual training includes administrative and programmatic topics and training is web-based in GA ATLAS. Information on CACFP annual training is distributed yearly via the Nutrition Newsletters and direct email to the Program Contact (PC) who is responsible for completing the required annual training. The Program Contact (PC) must self-register within GA ATLAS and complete the required annual training by an announced deadline date.
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Required Sponsor Training
Organizations must attend a required training session prior to applying for participation in the SFSP. Training sessions include an overview of eligibility requirements, site identification, sponsor application, meal requirements, vending options, staff duties & training, Program integrity, Program cost & reimbursement, recordkeeping, planning and managing meal service. To register for one (1) of the applicable training sessions listed below, please contact Nutrition Services at 404-657-1779. The deadline to register is one [1] week prior to the scheduled training session date. Please see the Training Calendar for upcoming training sessions.
- SFSP Training for Experienced Sponsors (1-Day)
  This Experienced Sponsor 1-Day training is offered to eligible experienced sponsoring organizations that operated the Program during the previous fiscal year without significant operational deficiencies. Experienced sponsoring organizations must complete this training requirement in order to continue participation in the Program. Please see the Training Calendar for upcoming training sessions.
- SFSP Training for New Organizations (2-Day)
  This New Sponsor 2-Day training is offered to new eligible¹ organizations and experienced sponsoring organizations with a new Principal/Primary Contact that are interested in participating in the SFSP and entering into an agreement with GA DECAL: Bright from the Start. Please see the Training Calendar for upcoming training sessions.
  
  ¹Eligible organizations have submitted the Potential Sponsor Viability Checklist and have been determined viable by Nutrition Services.
  The New Sponsor Training series includes the following:
  1. eLearning Training (ELT) - Introduction to the Summer Food Service Program (known as Happy Helpings in Georgia)
    This self-paced online course will provide information about the benefits of the program and how to participate. It will discuss four [4] core areas.
    
    What is the Happy Helpings Summer Food Service Program
    
    Roles, Responsibilities and Program Eligibility
    
    Serving Meals and Meeting Nutritional Standards
    
    What to Expect During Sponsor Site Visits and Reviews
    
    Select instructions to register for the Introduction to the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) course in the GA PDS Online Learning Library Initiative (OLLI). All new applicants must complete this online course prior to attending the comprehensive instructor-led New Sponsor Training. After successfully completing this online course, organizations may contact Nutrition Services at 404-657-1779 to register for the instructor-led New Sponsor Training.
  2. Instructor-Led Training (ILT) – New SFSP Sponsor Training
    This live instructor-led session will provide detailed information about program requirements and operations. It will discuss three [3] core areas.
    
    Participating in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
    
    Administering the Summer Food Service Program
    
    Operating the Meal Service for SFSP
    
    All new applicants must complete this instructor-led session prior to receiving overall training credit to apply for participation in the Summer Food Service Program (Happy Helpings). Please see the Training Calendar for the upcoming SFSP Training sessions.
  3. eLearning Training (ELT) - Navigating GA ATLAS
    This self-paced online course will provide step-by-step instructions on how to complete the GA ATLAS application packet, including tips and best practices. It will discuss eight [8] core areas.
    
    Overview of GA ATLAS
    
    Institution Application
    
    Board of Directors
    
    Budget Assertions and Budget
    
    Budget Assertions and Budget
    
    Checklist Summary and Attachment List
    
    Site Applications
    
    Application Packet Error Processing and Saving Forms
    
    All new applicants are strongly encouraged to complete this online course prior to completing the online application. Select instructions to register for the Navigating GA ATLAS course in the GA PDS Online Learning Library Initiative (OLLI).
- Registration Summary Steps for New Applicant Training
  Step 1: Register and complete the Introduction to the Summer Food Service Program eLearning course in GA PDS (OLLI).
  - Select How to Register for Introduction to the Summer Food Service Program Training
  Step 2: Register and complete the instructor-led New SFSP Sponsor Training.
  - After successfully completing step 1, organizations may contact Nutrition Services at 404-657-1779 to register for the instructor led New SFSP Sponsor Training
  Step 3: Register and complete the Navigating GA ATLAS eLearning course in GA PDS (OLLI).
  - Select How to Register for Navigating GA ATLAS Training
  Note: See the Resources Section for the How-To guides.

Upcoming Training Sessions

For upcoming CACFP and SFSP training dates, see the Training Calendar.

Post-Training Information & Instructions

This section is only intended for Institutions/Sponsors that have completed either CACFP or SFSP Orientation and Program Training.

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Training and Technical Assistance Unit

Name

Title

Phone

Region

TA Coordinator

East

TA Coordinator

Southeast

Lead TA Coordinator

Southwest

TA Coordinator

North/NW

TA Coordinator

Metro West

Trainer

Training Manager

You may also email the NutritionTA Mailbox at NutritionTA@decal.ga.gov

Regional Map for Technical Assistance (TA) Coordinators

Region 1 – Rhonda Kelley
Region 2 – Julie Edwards
Region 3 – Emilia Emmanuel
Region 4 – Leatha Bryant
Region 5 – LaKisha Battle

Recorded Training Webinars/Videos

Administration & Program Operation Webinars
Budget Webinars
Food Safety Webinars
- Serving Safe Foods 101
Happy Helpings Summit
- Financial Management Training (2025)
  In this video, Myers & Stauffer provides an overview of financial management to include best practices, allowable costs, budgets, payroll, etc., as well as documentation to support financial management, and common findings related to financial management.
- Review Preparedness (2025)
  In this video, Myers & Stauffer reviews the goals of an administrative review, the general administrative review process, the Do’s/Don’ts of an administrative review, common findings and best practices.
Meal Pattern Webinars
- Grain Ounce Equivalents
Nutrition Education Webinars
Nutrition for Adult Day Care Centers 2023
- Nutrition for Adult Day Care Centers 2023
Procurement Webinars
Tuesday Tip!

Resources

Test Your Knowledge

Reducing the Risk of Choking in Young Children Quiz

Reducing the Risk of Choking in Young Children Quiz
Infant Nutrition Quiz
Toddler Nutrition Quiz
Meal Components Quiz
Older Adult Nutrition Quiz
School Gardening Quiz
Milk in the CACFP Quiz
Whole Grain Quiz
Child Nutrition Label Quiz