The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, in partnership with Child Trends, is hosting a series of regional road shows for child care providers throughout October. After stops in Tifton, Cartersville and Morrow, the show is coming to Georgia Southern University on Thursday, Oct. 29.
The event will be held in the university's Division of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE Center) at 10449 Highway 301 South, located just south of the Ogeechee Technical College campus.
Registration begins at 8:15 a.m., with the main session beginning at 9 a.m., followed by breakout sessions at 10 a.m. An exhibition hall will be open from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Child care providers will have the opportunity to hear updates from the department's leadership, participate in educational breakout sessions and meet with DECAL staff, according to a release from the state agency.
While DECAL staff will share information and resources, the agency leadership also wants to hear from providers, the release stated. The Oct. 29 event will include a plenary session, educational breakout groups and an exhibition hall where child care providers can learn about all of DECAL's programs and services. Providers also will have time to meet with DECAL staff.
One of the breakout groups will be a focus group conducted by Child Trends to collect information about providers' needs. Child Trends is a nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization that strives to improve the lives and prospects of children, youth and families.
"These road shows are an important opportunity for us to meet providers where they are, share timely information, and strengthen our connection with the people who support Georgia's youngest learners every day," said DECAL Commissioner Amy M. Jacobs. "We look forward to hearing directly from providers and sharing tools and resources that can support their work."
Breakout sessions
Participants will be able to select two breakout sessions from a menu of five topics designed to address current needs and priorities in early care and education. Breakout session topics:
• Needs assessment conducted by Child Trends
• Quality Rated
• Child care services
• The new GELDS
• Behavior support
• Criminal Records Checks (CRCs)
Exhibition hall
The exhibition hall will feature more than a dozen informational tables representing every program area within DECAL. Child care providers will have a chance to:
• Meet DECAL staff
• Learn about available services and resources
• Ask questions about programs and initiatives
• Connect with experts across the agency
• Discover tools and supports available to providers and families
About DECAL
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning is the state agency supporting Georgia's children and families by overseeing and promoting access to early care and education programs. The programs include Georgia's Pre-K, child care licensing, CAPS, Quality Rated, nutrition programs, Head Start collaboration, and statewide quality improvement efforts. For more information, go to www.decal.ga.gov.