Bright From The Start: Georgia Dept of Early Care and Learning

Thanks WSB-TV for your coverage of our Community Impact Grants. https://lnkd.in/eckT9PTp

DECAL today announced funding opportunities aimed at closing opportunity gaps and creating long-term positive outcomes for Georgia children from birth to 8 and their families. 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, school systems, and government entities that are in good standing with DECAL are invited to apply by Friday December 20, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. The Community Impact Grants encourage collaboration across sectors for the purpose of developing community-specific solutions that ensure that families not only have access to high-quality early learning but also the tools and support they need for long-term, sustainable success. “DECAL is investing in communities across Georgia to address local needs and build community support for early education innovations” said DECAL’s Deputy Commissioner of Quality, Innovation and Partnerships, Dr. Bentley Ponder. Three types of grants will be awarded: ? 2Gen Innovation Grants for Student Parent Success Up to $75,000 each to six communities in Georgia ? 2Gen Community Literacy Grants Up to $75,000 each to six communities in Georgia ? Community Transformation Grants Up to $125,000 each to six communities in Georgia All grants will be for a term of 24 months, from March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2027. The Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the three grants are available below. An informational webinar will be held at 3:00 p.m. on December 2, 2024. Please register here. RFP for 2Gen Innovation Grants for Student Parent Success: 2025 - 2027 2Gen Innovation Grants for Student Parent Success - https://lnkd.in/ermRUky9 RFP for 2Gen Community Literacy Grants: 2025 - 2027 2Gen Community Literacy Grants - https://lnkd.in/e8QwigKt RFP for Community Transformation Grants: 2025 - 2027 Community Transformation Grants - https://lnkd.in/eaM-E35B Questions regarding these funding opportunities may be submitted to [email protected] until 5:00 p.m. on December 20, 2024. When submitting your question(s), please include the type of Community Impact Grant you are inquiring about.

An attitude of gratitude.

The happiest of birthdays this week to DECAL’s own Sabrina Allen, Rita Lang, JaKena Huggins, Jim Butler, Jazmyn Jordan, Shayla Lewis.

The Department of Early Care and Learning has a career opportunity for a Nutrition Compliance Examiner in the Audits & Compliance Division. The announcement is open to all qualified applicants. Interested individuals may use the link below to apply online by Friday, December 6, 2024. https://lnkd.in/gDHxRpJt

Sescily Bell, a working mother of seven, recently entered @gogptc seeking a high school diploma. She went on to graduate from college and enter the early childhood education workforce thanks to a DECAL grant awarded to TCSG to build a pipeline of adult education students in technical colleges headed into the ECE field. The grant has supported 191 students, 101 of whom were English language learners. Of the 60 who have graduated, 43 entered the child care workforce; and 105 are currently in the pipeline completing their coursework and/or practicums. Ms. Bell (fourth from left) spoke to the Board of Early Care and Learning today. She is shown with her family, TCSG Adult Education Executive Director Bobby Creech, DECAL Board Chair Phil Davis, Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs, and Dr. Christi Moore, DECAL Director of Workforce Supports and Learning.

If you’re looking for financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, child care and more, there is a one-stop shop for community resources near you! It’s called Find Help Georgia, a comprehensive online directory to help strengthen families. Today is our second annual Find Help Georgia Forum. https://findhelpga.org/ Link to podcast: https://lnkd.in/eN4mU_Df

The Georgia's Pre-K Program Quality Support Team and Pre-K Specialists presented Supporting a Quality Pre-K Program New Director Training to 50 directors in Acworth this morning. Thanks for all that you do!

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Announcing our six finalists for 2024-2024 Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year! #Georgia #infants #toddlers #preschool https://lnkd.in/ebrxhkUU