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Open Enrollment for health benefits is a pivotal time for employees here at DECAL. During this annual window…this year October 20 to November 8…staff members can review, select, or update their health insurance and related coverage options to best meet their needs and those of their families. Joining us to talk about Open Enrollment is Sabrina Henry, Senior Manager of Human Resources.

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It's Georgia Pre-K Week and we're talking with Coy Bowles, a Grammy award-winning guitarist for the Zac Brown Band and advocate for children’s education and creativity, and Malcolm Mitchell, former Georgia Bulldog, Super Bowl champion, and literacy advocate, about their new book Every Amazing Story. The book takes young readers on a creative journey that shows every child they have a voice and a story worth telling.

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This week we’re excited to spotlight a very special occasion: the 15th annual Georgia’s Pre-K Week, taking place October 6th through 10th, 2025. For fifteen years, this tradition has united leaders and communities across Georgia to celebrate the power of early education. Again this year we are partnering with Voices for Georgia’s Children, and we have a very special book for every Pre-K student and classroom. Joining us to talk about Georgia’s Pre-K Week is Judy Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Voices for Georgia’s Children; Joshua England is Advocacy Specialist at Voices; and Devon Porter is Manager of Outreach and the Summer Transition Program for Georgia’s Pre-K.

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This week we’re talking with the Georgia Foundation of Early Care and Learning about a new round of Early Literacy Alignment Mini-Grants. With up to $5,000 in funding, these grants bring public elementary schools and local child care programs together to foster innovative, vertically aligned literacy practices. Joining us to talk about the Early Literacy Alignment Mini-Grants is Laura Wagner, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Early Care and Learning, and Paige Buzbee, Executive Director of the Georgia Foundation for Public Education.

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This week we’re focusing on a topic that’s essential for the safety and well-being of our youngest learners, criminal background checks. Whether you are a parent, provider, or educator, understanding how DECAL conducts these checks is crucial to ensuring that our early care environments remain safe and trustworthy. Joining us to talk about Criminal Background Checks in Georgia is Ira Sudman, DECAL General Counsel, and Greg Brown, Legal Services Officer.

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This week we’re talking about a significant development that promises to enhance support for families in our community. DECAL has created the Quality Rated Family Support Call Center that can be reached through the popular 877-ALL-GA KIDS phone number the agency created many years ago. Joining us to talk about the new Quality Rated Family Support Call Center is Sonja Steptoe, Assistant Director of Business Supports and Operations; Katrina Bernard, Quality Rated Family Support Call Center Manager; and Anna Buchmann, the Lead Specialist in the Family Support Call Center.

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The third cohort of the Georgia 2Gen Academy celebrated its graduation in early June marking a significant milestone in the state’s commitment to fostering holistic support for children and families. Joining us to talk about their experience with Georgia’s 2Gen Academy are Quandra Obi, Special Assistant to Commissioner Jacobs and Board Liaison, Bridget Ratajczak, DECAL’s Child and Family Development Supervisor, Amanda Tarpley, CAPS Provider Relations Director, and Jill Taylor, Director of Community Partnerships and 2Gen Outreach.

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Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a vital aspect of child care—preparing for provider inspections. Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned pro, the inspection process can feel daunting, but knowledge is the key to confidence. That’s why CCS has been offering a series of Lunch & Learn webinars breaking down what providers need to know before, during, and after inspection day. Joining us this week to talk about CCS inspections is Kaycee Purvis, CCS Central East Region Coordinator, Rebekah Mullinax, Southeast Region Coordinator, and Kajora McCoy, Central East Region Lead Consultant.

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