Georgia Foundation For Early Care And Learning

THE GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CARE + LEARNING'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO GEORGIA'S YOUNGEST LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, PROVIDERS, AND TEACHERS THROUGH ESTABLISHED STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS, COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS IN ORDER TO DRIVE GEORGIA'S CURRENT AND FUTURE WORKFORCE.THE GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CARE + LEARNING'S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO GEORGIA'S YOUNGEST LEARNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, PROVIDERS, AND TEACHERS THROUGH ESTABLISHED STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS, COLLABORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS TO EQUIP GEORGIA'S CURRENT AND FUTURE WORKFORCE.

SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FULL DESCRIPTION.THE GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CARE + LEARNING MAKES STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION TO HELP ENSURE ALL CHILDREN IN GEORGIA ARE PREPARED TO SUCCEED WHEN THEY ENTER KINDERGARTEN REGARDLESS OF FAMILY INCOME OR LOCATION. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS EDUCATION EXCELLENCE BY PARTNERING WITH FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, THE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION INDUSTRY AND STAKEHOLDERS. DURING THIS YEAR THE FOUNDATION HAD SEVERAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THE FOUNDATION TEAMED UP WITH WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM TO ASSEMBLE AND DISTRIBUTE PPE PACKAGES SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR CHILDCARE PROGRAMS VALUED AT $500 EACH FOR GEORGIA'S STRUGGLING CHILDCARE PROVIDERS. THE FOUNDATION RECEIVED FUNDS FROM THE UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA AND THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER ATLANTA. BECAUSE OF THESE PARTNERSHIPS THE FOUNDATION AWARDED 110 CHILDCARE PROGRAMS WITH OPERATIONAL GRANTS UP TO $3,000 AND PROVIDED THREE MONTHS OF CHILDCARE FOR 34 CHILDREN OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS. THE FOUNDATION SPEARHEADS THE GEORGIA'S PRE-K TEACHERS OF THE YEAR PROGRAM THAT CELEBRATES AND REWARDS OUTSTANDING PRE-K INSTRUCTORS. DURING THIS YEAR, TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS WERE GRANTED TO WINNERS AND RUNNERS UP OF THIS AWARD. DECAL SCHOLARS IS A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS IN GEORGIA IN ADVANCING THEIR EDUCATION AND EARNING FINANCIAL REWARDS. TO CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION KICKED OFF THE DECAL SCHOLARS OF THE YEAR PROGRAM AND RECOGNIZED AND REWARDED TWO SCHOLARS WHO WERE ACTIVELY PURSUING A DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WHILE ALSO WORKING IN A CHILDCARE PROGRAM. EACH WINNER RECEIVED A CLASSROOM MAKEOVER AND A VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE BY COY BOWLES, AUTHOR AND MEMBER OF THE ZAC BROWN BAND.