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Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
  • 4.9 (16)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Your source for news and information from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. You will hear from Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs and special guests to give you an update on all things DECAL. Have a question, comment, or suggestion?  Call 404-656-0239 or email us at decaldownload@decal.ga.gov. 

  1. APR 13

    Episode 28 - Finding Summer Camps

    Send us Fan Mail It's never too early to start planning a summer your children will remember! In this episode, we dive into how the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is making it easier for families to find safe, affordable, and high-quality summer camps. Whether you're seeking guidance from knowledgeable call center specialists, using a handy checklist, or exploring online resources, DECAL equips parents with the tools and support needed to make confident choices for summer care. Joining us are Sonja Steptoe, Assistant Director of Business Supports and Operations, and Katrina Bernard, Manager of the Quality Rated Family Support Call Center. Together, they share expert advice and helpful tips on how to navigate your search for the perfect summer camp in Georgia this year.  Support the show

    25 min

  2. APR 5

    Episode 27 - Mindy Binderman

    Send us Fan Mail For nearly two decades, Mindy Binderman has been a nonprofit leader and advocate for early childhood policy here in Georgia dedicating her career to advocacy, policy development, and driving systemic change. Recently the founding Executive Director of the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students or GEEARS announced that she will soon take on the new role of Chief External Affairs Officer at the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), a national leader in community development financial services. Joining us to talk more about early childhood education in Georgia and her new role at LIIF is Mindy Binderman.  Support the show

    44 min

  3. MAR 30

    Episode 26 - Laura Evans from GPB

    Send us Fan Mail High-quality educational programming plays a critical role for children from birth to age five, as these early years are foundational for brain development, language acquisition, social-emotional growth, and the establishment of lifelong learning habits. Today we’re excited to welcome back Laura Evans, Vice President of Education at Georgia Public Broadcasting who has spent more than a decade developing and sharing free, high-quality digital learning resources for Georgia's educators, students, and families.    Support the show

    37 min

  4. MAR 22

    Episode 25 - Pre-K to College Sweepstakes + Georgia Pre-K at the Capitol

    Send us Fan Mail Planning for college can start earlier than many families realize. DECAL and Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan are sponsoring the annual Path from Pre-K to College Sweepstakes, an initiative to help families begin saving for their children’s education while they are still in Pre-K. Joining us is Bethany Whetzel,  Treasury Program Director for Georgia's Office of the State Treasurer. Then, March 19, 2026, was Pre-K at the Capitol Day where Voices for Georgia's Children helped us announce the dates for this year's Georgia's Pre-K Week, October 5-9, 2026. We look back at the resolutions passed in the House and Senate and talk with legislators.  Support the show

    39 min

  5. MAR 16

    Episode 24 - CACFP Week

    Send us Fan Mail Across the country, from March 15th to the 21st, we are shining a spotlight on the providers, the sponsors, and the food service professionals who are quite literally stirring goodness into the lives of children and adults. Today we’re going beyond the meal patterns and the paperwork to talk about the real-world impact of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Joining us today is Tamika Boone, Nutrition Services Director, and Cindy Kicklighter, Marketing and Outreach Manager, to talk about how they are fueling healthy futures, one plate at a time. Support the show

    27 min

  6. MAR 9

    Episode 23 - State of the Early Care and Education Workforce

    Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode, we’re looking into the findings of a recent study examining the early childhood care and education workforce in Georgia. We'll explore the challenges educators face, the opportunities for professional growth, and how these insights could shape the future of early childhood learning across the state. Joining us to talk about the State of Early Care and Education in Georgia is Dr. Mia Obiwo, Workforce Policy and Process Administrator, and Stephen McGarity, Instructional Research and Data Quality Manager. Support the show

    27 min

  7. MAR 3

    Episode 22 - Audits & Compliance Team

    Send us Fan Mail In a field where the well-being and developmental growth of our youngest children is at stake, it’s essential that standards, policies, and regulations are upheld with diligence and integrity. DECAL’s Audits and Compliance Team serves as the guardians of quality, ensuring that early childhood programs across Georgia meet state requirements, maintain financial transparency, and provide safe, nurturing environments for children and their families. Joining us to talk about Audits & Compliance at DECAL is Ben Appling, Director of Audits & Compliance, LeighAnn Hendrix is CAPS Compliance Manager, and Aleisha Golden is Senior Manager of Risk Management and Program Integrity.  Support the show

    34 min

  8. FEB 23

    Episode 21 - Hiring at DECAL

    Send us Fan Mail This week we’re delving into a topic that’s both exciting and essential: hiring at DECAL. Whether you’re interested in joining our team or just curious about what it takes to work in state government --- specifically early care and learning --- this episode is for you. Joining us to talk about hiring at DECAL is Sheryl Young-Wilhite, our director of Human Resources, who is here to discuss the qualities we look for in candidates, and tips for navigating our hiring process.  Support the show

    40 min
See All (402)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Your source for news and information from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. You will hear from Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs and special guests to give you an update on all things DECAL. Have a question, comment, or suggestion?  Call 404-656-0239 or email us at decaldownload@decal.ga.gov. 

Information

  • Creator
    Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    402
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 DECAL Download
  • Show Website
    DECAL Download

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