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 OTHE 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. FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, THE GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CARE + LEARNING WORKED WITH THE PRE-K AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORTS DIVISION AT DECAL TO AWARD TWO 2021-2022 GEORGIA'S PRE-K TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AND TO SELECT SIX FINALISTS FOR THE 2022-2023 AWARDS. THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CARE + LEARNING ALSO PRESENTED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS TO AN INFANT TEACHER, A TODDLER TEACHER, AND A PRESCHOOL TEACHER. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PRESENTED DECAL SCHOLAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS TO TWO RECIPIENTS IN 2021 TO CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM. THESE FIRST-TIME AWARDEES REPRESENTED STUDENTS IN FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM OF GEORGIA SETTINGS.THE GEORGIA FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CARE + LEARNING RECEIVED $475,000 FROM THE UNITED WAY OF GREATER ATLANTA (UWGA) VIA THE JOSEPH B. WHITEHEAD FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT PROVIDERS GOING THROUGH THE VIRTUAL QUALITY RATED PROCESS BETWEEN JULY 1, 2021, AND JUNE 30, 2022. THESE FUNDS AWARDED TO THE FOUNDATION BY UWGA ENABLED 360 PROVIDERS TO PURCHASE TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT DURING THE PAST FISCAL YEAR. FUNDING ALLOWED DECAL TO ALSO HIRE TWO PART-TIME IT STAFF MEMBERS TO HELP GRANT RECIPIENTS PURCHASE AND INSTALL EQUIPMENT AND HELP WITH OTHER GENERAL IT NEEDS. BY HELPING THESE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS RECEIVE TRAINING AND RESOURCES TO MEET DECAL'S STANDARDS FOR DELIVERING HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, THE FOUNDATION IS ENHANCING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE STATE'S EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION SYSTEM.