Latest news with #GeorgiaDepartmentofEarlyCareandLearning
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Atlanta food program addresses students' nutritional needs over summer break
Parents and guardians in Atlanta who need help feeding their children have ways of accomplishing that close to home. The city of Atlanta kicked off its annual Summer Food Program Monday, which lasts through July 25. Hours vary by location. The program will serve lunch onsite to school-aged children in low-income areas up to age 18. The program is a joint effort between the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning's Bright from the Start program. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The program will provide meals to children at eight city outdoor pools, four Atlanta-Fulton Public Libraries and one splashpad. Locating a City of Atlanta summer meal food site is simple. Parents or caregivers can call 404-546-3122 or go online and enter their zip code to find the nearest service provider. A complete list of providers can also be found on the Department of Parks and Recreation's website. The city's Summer Food Program will continue the Mobile Feeding Program on Wheels for families without transportation. Camp Best Friends participants are eligible for free breakfast and lunch. Mayor Andre Dickens said some families depend on public schools for nutritious meals. 'This program is critical so that the city can stand in the gap during Summer Break,' he said. The federally funded collaboration between the City and Bright from the Start serves communities where food insecurity and accessibility can threaten children's well-being. This summer, the aim is to serve an average of 3,000 meals daily to Atlanta children, totaling more than 150,000 meals by the end of summer. TRENDING STORIES: Driver charged in crash that killed South Fulton police captain appears in court Driver pulls out knife on couple driving too slow in Kennesaw neighborhood, police say 'Black Mecca' no longer? Atlanta prices cause families to move out of the city [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Even 77 degrees can turn deadly for children in cars, Georgia officials warn
The Brief Georgia officials launched the 12th annual "Look Again" campaign after two children died in hot cars last July; so far in 2025, eight incidents have occurred at child care facilities with no fatalities. Experts warn that a child's body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's, and even mild outdoor temperatures can cause parked vehicles to become dangerously hot within minutes. Authorities urge caregivers to check the back seat before locking their cars and to call 911 if they see a child in a parked vehicle; Georgia law allows entry if a child is in distress. COBB COUNTY, Ga. - As we get closer to Georgia's summer, temperatures have started to climb, and that can be a dangerous time in parked vehicles—especially if you're transporting kids. Last year, numbers show two children died in Georgia after being left in a hot car. What we know It's a mistake parents and caregivers have made time and time again across the country. In 2024, the National Safety Council says 39 kids lost their lives after being left in a vehicle. Thursday morning, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, also known as DECAL, kicked off its 12th annual 'Look Again' campaign. It comes after two Georgia kids died from heatstroke last July after being left in hot vehicles; one of them was in Cobb County. "I want to do all that I can to get the word out—to just do a simple thing—and that's stop, look in the back seat, and make sure you're locking the door because little people can crawl in there, and it can become a trap," said Allen Poole, from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. RELATED: Critical warning for parents after Cobb County 2-year-old boy dies in hot car According to Georgia ranks 5th for the number of child deaths from vehicle heatstroke. Thursday, officials demonstrated how quickly vehicles can heat up, even with the temperature around 77 degrees. A graphic from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta shows it can take just minutes for a parked vehicle to get dangerously hot for pets and kids. "The child's body temperature increases 3 to 5 times faster than in adults, and that is a deadly combination," said Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Commissioner Amy Jacobs. DECAL says so far this year, Georgia child care facilities have left kids in vehicles eight times—luckily, no one died. Officials say if you see a child in a parked vehicle, call 911, and if a child is in distress, the law allows you to enter that vehicle. What they're saying "We never think that's going to happen to us, and so that's why we continue to remind folks that it can happen so quickly—and you can completely avoid it," Jacobs said. Officials say parked vehicles can be dangerous year-round. "Our ultimate goal is to save every child and not have one child fall to heatstroke in the state of Georgia," Poole said. Officials say one way to prevent forgetting is by putting something like a phone or a purse in the back so you have another reason to turn around.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Georgia testing workplace bonuses to address early learning educator shortages
Across the United States, schools are dealing with a teacher shortage. The State of Georgia is investing $17 million to reward, and keep, the best teachers. The initiative, which comes from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, gives $500 workforce bonuses for childcare teachers and staff. Officials say they think the program is the first of its kind in the nation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] For students at the Quadralingual Academy in Smyrna, young students are soaking up the sounds and words of a science lesson. Except it's sometimes in French. TRENDING STORIES: Man pretending to make DoorDash delivery tries breaking into woman's apartment Mother describes horrifying moments as she watched her SUV burst into flames along GA 400 DeKalb BBQ restaurant manager's house burns down while rushing son to ER They also learn English vocabulary everyday, as well as Spanish and Chinese. 'By the end of the year, students are able to connect words and make simple phrases,' Zena Hadjaz, a teacher there, said. 'It's a rewarding job.' She told Channel 2's Linda Stouffer she loves teaching the preschoolers. Jessa Depew is the founder of the Quadrilingual Academy, a private school in Smyrna. Depew told Channel 2 Action News that beyond the teacher support, DECAL connects more than a dozen families with tuition assistance 'For the state to be abel to support all families who pay taxes, it's really helpful to our mission,' Depew said. Hadjaz said she does it so the kids can 'open their minds to the different cultures.' Click here to learn more about Georgia DECAL's Bright from the Start for Pre-K. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bonuses for Georgia child care teachers, staff
The Brief $500 bonuses coming: Georgia will award child care teachers and staff a one-time $500 bonus. For Quality Rated providers: Bonuses apply to eligible staff at state-approved child care centers. Apply online: Educators can check eligibility and apply through a dedicated DECAL website. ATLANTA - Georgia child care teachers and staff will soon receive a $500 bonus as part of a new state initiative aimed at recognizing their ongoing dedication and hard work. What we know The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) announced the launch of the Quality Rated Workforce Bonuses program, which will provide the one-time payments to eligible employees working at Quality Rated child care providers across the state. The bonuses are intended to support and retain early childhood educators, whose roles are considered critical in child development and community stability. A dedicated website has been set up for child care staff to check their eligibility, submit applications, and track their status. The department encourages all qualifying educators to apply and take advantage of the recognition and financial support. What you can do More information and application resources are available on the DECAL website. You can also contact Care Solutions at support@ or 770-642-6722 ext. 613. For general Quality Rated information, please contact the QR Provider Help Desk at 1-855-800-7747 or email QualityRated@
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia to give child care teachers and staff $500 annual bonus
GEORGIA (WJBF) – Georgia child care teachers and staff will soon receive strong recognition of their ongoing hard work and commitment: a $500 bonus. As part of its continuing dedication to improving quality early child care, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is launching a new initiative – Quality Rated Workforce Bonuses (QRWB) – to distribute an annual bonus to eligible staff members at Quality Rated Child Care providers. The initiative begins this month and is among the first of its kind in the nation. The payments are a commitment by DECAL to reward and recognize full-time teachers and support staff who help their programs deliver care and education that exceed minimum standards and earn 1, 2 or 3 stars under Quality Rated, the state's quality rating and improvement system. The bonuses are available to all on-site teaching and support staff at Quality Rated child care programs, with each staff member eligible to receive one payment per year. To learning more or to see if you're eligible, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
